Spice things up with these Cadillac cocktails

Cars have captured the imagination ever since they first appeared.

Cars have captured the imagination from the very beginning. In 1885, Karl Benz developed and built the first car with an internal combustion engine. The following year he received a patient and it has captivated his imagination ever since. From car racing to the Army Jeep to variations of the Batmobile, cars are a fascinating subject. In honor of them, men naturally named cocktails after them, as a double tribute to the toys they love. Here's a way to get going with these Cadillac cocktails.

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The Cadillac Margarita

While the margarita has been around forever, the go-go '80s meant things had to be bigger, better and flashier. Chain restaurants began adding Cadillac margaritas to their menus, replacing them with more expensive tequilas and Grand Marnier. They've sent sales into overdrive and are now even showing up in the fanciest cocktail lounges.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces El Tesoro Blanco Tequila
• 1/2 ounce Orange-orange liqueur
• 1/2 ounce Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 ounce Lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 ounce Agave syrup
• 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier, float

Create

• Rub the rim of a double Old Fashioned glass with a lime wedge and dip a quarter of the glass in salt to cover. Put aside
• Combine all ingredients except the Grand Marnier in a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 25 seconds
• Double strain through a fine-mesh sieve into the prepared glass over fresh ice
• Float Grand Marnier on it

sidecar

The classic among car cocktails. This one was created in Paris during the First World War. Who doesn't drive too fast with a bit of danger? An American Army captain named it after the motorcycle sidecar. Since then it has been an alcohol companion on some evenings.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces cognac
• 3/4 ounce Orange liqueur (like Cointreau)
• 3/4 ounce lemon juiceFreshly squeezed
• Garnish: Orange twist

Create

• If desired, coat the rim of a coupe glass with sugar and set aside
• Pour the cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice into a shaker with ice and shake until well chilled
• Strain into the prepared glass
• Garnish with an orange slice

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The Rolls Royce

What great automobile is more associated with glamour, style and money than the Rolls Royce? While the developer of this cocktail is somewhat unclear, it first appeared in Harry Craddock's Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930. Although not as popular as the Cadillac, it is a treat for gin lovers.

Ingredients

• 2½ ounces gin
• ½ ounce dry vermouth
• ½ ounce sweet vermouth
• heavy teaspoon of Bénédictine
• 1 dash of orange bitters – optional
• Lemon zest for garnish

Create

• Chill a mixing glass
• Pour ingredients into a glass and fill with ice
• Stir for 18-25 seconds
• Strain into a chilled coupe or stemmed cocktail glass.
• Squeeze the juice out of the lemon peel and garnish

The Monte Carlo

While the first Grand Prix took place at Le Mans, Monte Carlo gave it international shine. Making headlines and car lovers gathered in the small principality with cars, beautiful women and the azure sea. In the late 1930s, this cocktail came to life as a tribute to race. This is not to be confused with the Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces rye whiskey
• 1/2 ounce Benedictine
• 1 hyphen Angostura Bitter

Create

• Add rye whiskey, Benedictine and bitters to a mixing glass with ice
• Stir until well cooled, about 30 seconds.
• Strain into a chilled rocks glass over a large ice cube.