Pretty Girl...

Nick and I have been invited to a dear friend's 'Farewell To the 30s' birthday party to mark the start of his fourth decade.

The invitation said fancy dress, so we thought it would be appropriate to simply go as ourselves.

To get you in the mood here are three cocktails - just be sure to mix them as Nicky directs:

Manhattan
3/4 oz sweet vermouth
2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 maraschino cherry
1 twist orange peel
Combine the vermouth, bourbon whiskey, and bitters with 2 - 3 ice cubes in a mixing glass. Shake to foxtrot rhythm. Place the cherry in a chilled cocktail glass and strain the whiskey mixture over the cherry. Rub the cut edge of the orange peel over the rim of the glass and twist it over the drink to release the oils but don't drop it in.

Bronx
2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Orange Juice
1/2 oz Dry Vermouth
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
Shake (to a two-step beat) all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into a cocktail glass

Martini
1 1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz dry vermouth
Add ice cubes and shake to waltz time. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive or a twist of lemon.

-- Nora