Whether it's happy hour or time for a late-night celebration, rounding some classic mixed drinks for the crew is still one of the best ways to make a toast for the night. Cocktails, martinis and frozen drinks made with traditional ingredients and an exotic twist give you a chance to drink unique beverages and try new flavors from the mixology gurus behind the bar.

From blackberry mojitos to açaí-infused martinis, here are some of the most requested bar drinks at venues across the country:

Cucumber Mint Martinis

Cocktail aficionados are sure to do a double take with this cool and refreshing twist on mixed drinks. The cucumber and mint martini is the perfect match for those hot summer nights mingling on the patio; it's typically made with fresh cucumbers, spearmint leaves and a hint of lime.

Blackberry Mojitos

Nobody really knows where this twist on the classic lime mojito came from, but blackberry adds depth and flavor to the ever-popular summer drink. Mixology experts are taking things up a notch with blackberry-flavored rum, blackberry juice and even dropping fresh blackberries into the bottom of the drink for a dense flavor.

Açaí Berry Martinis

Whether you enjoy your martini straight up or on the rocks, açaí-berry infused drinks are spilling into bars everywhere and spicing things up for the conventional-martini lover. Using VeeV, an açaí-based alcohol, instead of vodka adds a natural hint of sweetness to any beverage, the clean and crisp flavor for a satisfying finish to any classic martini.

Lemon Gimlets

Forgo the classic lime gimlet in favor of the lemon or 'fuzzy' gimlet made with a carbonated lemon-lime beverage, gin, lime and lemon juice and enjoy a taste of summer any time of year. This one can also be made with white tequila for your Mexico-inspired night.

Iced Chocolate Martini

Throw a party for your inner chocoholic with an ice-cold chocolate martini on the rocks. This dessert-like beverage is made with chocolate liqueur, VeeV (instead of vodka) and fresh cream and can be served straight up in a chilled martini glass for a tasty treat.

Written by Sabah Karimi

Most of us know the names of our favorite bar drinks by the classification of liquor. In other words, you want a rum and coke or a gin martini. In many cases, however, you'll enjoy your bar drinks more when you order call drinks instead.

A call drink is a mixed bar drink that specifies the brand of liquor you want in the glass. You might say, for example, that you want a Bacardi and coke rather than letting the bartender choose which type of rum you prefer. You could even get more specific and say you want a Bacardi 151 and coke.

The benefit of ordering call drinks is that you always know the quality of the liquor you'll be drinking. When you leave it up to the bartender, you might receive a drink made from the lowest-quality liquor in the bar, or you might wind up overpaying for an expensive drink you can't afford. Since prices are based on the ingredients in each drink, it pays to be specific.

The ordering of call drinks has become more popular in recent years because there are far more options available at your local bar. Many patrons, for example, have begun requesting Veev in their mixed drinks instead of more common options.

Furthermore, when you order call drinks, you immediately identify yourself as a connoisseur. The bartender and all nearby patrons will assume you know what you're talking about, and suddenly those around you will be asking for recommendations. This elevates your status at the bar and might even score you a date.

When ordering call drinks, you should always give the brand of liquor first, followed by the mixer. In other words, you should say you want a Tanqueray and tonic rather than a tonic and Tanqueray. Alternatively, you can give the bartender the name of the mixer, then name two or three brands of liquor you appreciate.

It is important to note that call drinks are usually more expensive than well drinks. When you order rum and coke, for example, the bartender is going to serve you Coca-Cola with the well brand of rum, which is usually much lower quality than any of their call brands. Therefore, you shouldn't order call drinks unless you can afford them on your tab.

Written by Steve Thompson

You've read about the how bartenders and mixologists are replacing their traditional drinks with VeeV cocktails, but why should you make the transition? After all, many of us are stuck in our ways and comfortable with the familiar.

However, if you aren't willing to try a little variety in your drinking habits, you'll be missing out on some great opportunities, not to mention great taste. VeeV is one of the most popular drinks right now, both as a shooter and as a prime ingredient in favorite cocktails.

First, the hangover potential with VeeV is minimal compared to other liquor choices. When you decide to spend a night throwing back drinks with your friends, you won't have to worry about whether or not you've stocked up on aspirin and orange juice. Furthermore, VeeV is considered a "green" drink, which means that its production is intended to promote environmental causes.

VeeV is made with a particularly interesting fruit, called açaí, which is native to Brazil and chocked full of helpful antioxidants. Rather than letting the negative effects of alcohol build in your system, the açaí fruit helps to sluice those toxins out of your body.

The makers of VeeV have also pledged to donate $1 from the sale of every bottle to the Sustainable Açaí Project, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to farming and preserving the rain forest. This obviously strikes a chord with those who are concerned about the environment and wish to contribute to its preservation.

Unfortunately, it might be difficult to find VeeV in your local bar, as the distribution has thus far been very exclusive. However, if you continue to request it as a replacement for some of the more traditional liquor, you might find a nice surprise in your friendly, neighborhood bar.

This might also be a great time to start experimenting with VeeV recipes. You won't want to be behind the times once VeeV becomes a national, alcoholic-drink staple, and you might as well have fun with it. To learn more about VeeV, visit the official website.

Written by Steve Thompson

I was a bartender many years ago at a place in Cambridge, Mass., called The Swiss Alps, though it's no longer there. This was a bit before the frozen drink came into vogue. Certainly there were some favorites back then that are still as popular as ever. Let's take a look.

Cosmopolitans are very popular, especially after the attention they received in the television show "Sex and the City." There are many ways to make a cosmo, but traditionally they are made with vodka and cointreau with a fruit juice. Bartenders often make them with cranberry, lemon or lime juice. For a unique fruity twist, skip the vodka and instead use Veev, which is made from açaí, an antioxidant-rich berry from Brazil.

In August 2007, the United States Senate declared that September be recognized as National Bourbon Heritage Month. While this may not have much impact on the average consumer, it is an honor for the craftsmen in the bourbon industry, as it highlights the important role that bourbon has played in this country's history. The old fashioned is a classic bourbon whiskey drink that I used to serve frequently. As the name suggests, it is quite historical; it has been served since the 1800s. The old fashioned has a lot of tastes mixed together and several variations of it have developed over the years. I made it simply. Some bartenders just add sugar to the alcohol but the sugar should be melted in water first. We were a busy bar so I used syrup, which was a pre-made mix of sugar and water. I added bitters to the bourbon whiskey, a little water and either a cherry or an orange slice depending on what the kitchen had for me.

The last two drinks are my personal favorites. The sombrero and either white or black Russians are often ordered without people knowing the names. The alcohol can be coffee brandy, which is distilled from coffee beans, or coffee liqueurs. Using coffee liqueurs, which in my experience is the more common way to have a sombrero, is perfect for an after-dinner drink because of their sweetness. They are also wonderful alone. I prefer the coffee liqueur Kahlua. If you order a sombrero you'll get the least expensive coffee liqueur. Pay the extra amount for Kahlua. Another tip is how to drink this. You may ask for Kahlua and cream, which is delicious. For an even more delicious taste ask that it be shaken and you'll have some foam on top. If you put coffee brandy or liqueur together with vodka you'll get a black Russian, though I suggest replacing the vodka with Veev for a truly unique beverage. If you add cream to this you'll get a white Russian.

If you've been to a resort or on a cruise you know that frozen drinks are a hit. I mentioned these two venues because frozen drinks and warm weather go together very well. The piña colada, which means pineapple (piña) and strained (colada) in Spanish, is made by mixing pineapple juice with coconut cream and rum, then blending it all with ice to make it a frozen beverage.

If you want something frozen with whipped cream on the top but perhaps not with the telltale color of the original piña colada (other flavors have come to be) you might want to go with a frozen daiquiri, which combines rum, triple sec, lime juice, sugar and ice. You can find flavored daiquiris just like you can with the piña colada.

Another favorite is the frozen margarita. You'll get a very different taste with the tequila and orange flavored liqueur that are the hallmarks of this drink. If you have the willpower and want a frozen drink that doesn't look too adorned, skip the whip cream!

Finally a very special drink to serve for special occasions, such as with dessert for Thanksgiving or your other holiday meal, is Godiva Chocolate Liqueur. It's a wonderful gift to bring because the bottle is so beautiful and it is hard not to love. It comes in white chocolate (my favorite) or dark chocolate.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi%C3%B1a_colada
http://migration.kentucky.gov/newsroom/travel/bourbonheritage.htm

Written by jobythebay