It's time to graduate from college (drinking).

It's almost summer. And since you're not Brian Flanagan, you need some help stocking your bar.

April 28, 2008 —

If you're graduating this May, you're not just graduating from college. You're graduating from a dark time, characterized by long nights of cheap rum, cheaper beer, and ceaseless headaches.

It's time to move on to the adult world of more sophisticated drinking. If your boss invites you out to dinner, you just can't order a can of Milwaukee's Best Light. The purpose of the occasional drink has suddenly changed: It's no longer a narrow-minded quest to lose control of your mechanical functions. It's a conversation-starter (and loosener).

So we've done the legwork for you. If you're planning on hosting a party or function of some sort, you'll need some of the equipment listed below.

And if you're going to a party, hold off on that rum and coke that's treated you so well in college and try ordering something different for once.

We've listed some recipes below. Go ahead and see if anything tickles your fancy.

And of course, have fun this summer.

Essential liquors
gin
vodka
rum
whiskey (scotch, Canadian/rye, and bourbon)
tequila

Optional liquors
brandy
cognac

Fruit and garnish
cherries
pineapple
strawberries
oranges
lemons
ice (lots of it)
olives
sugar
mint
cocktail onions
bitters

Mixers
cola
ginger ale
grenadine
sour mix
7-Up/Sprite
triple sec
tonic/soda water
beer
club soda
fruit juices
various schnapps flavors
various liqueurs
wines

Equipment
can/bottle opener
corkscrew
cutting board and knife
bartender's spoon and muddler
shaker/strainer
ice bucket and tongs
jigger
blender
measuring spoons and cups
common cocktail glasses: martini, collins, highball, margarita, hurricane

Beginner's recipes

These are some simple (short, in bartender's lingo) drinks with some readily available ingredients. None of them will require you to fly in some exotic juices from Micronesia. In fact, most of the ingredients are available at Meijer. So there's no excuse not to experiment. Some of the drinks are pretty hard, you'll want to watch out for the Hurricane and the Zombie. Of course, all of these drinks contain alcohol and you have to be 21 or older to drink.

Creamsicle:
1 1/2 oz. vanilla liqueur
3 oz. orange juice
1 1/2 oz. milk
Pour all ingredients into a collins glass over ice.

Full Moon:
1 1/2 oz. orange Curacao liqueur
1 1/2 oz. amaretto
Pour all ingredients into a rocks glass over ice.

Fuzzy Navel:
1 part peach schnapps
1 part orange juice
1 part lemonade
1 part vodka (optional)
Mix equal parts of all ingredients into a highball glass and top with ice.

Grateful Dead:
1 part tequila
1 part vodka
1 part rum (light)
1 part gin
1 part raspberry liqueur (Chambord preferred)
Shake all ingredients and pour over ice in a collins glass.

Hat Trick:
1/2 oz. dark rum
1/2 oz. light rum
1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice cubes, and strain into a cocktail glass.

Hurricane:
1 oz. vodka
1 oz. gin
1 oz. light rum
1/2 oz. Bacardi 151
1 oz. amaertto
1 oz. triple sec
grenadine
grapefruit juice
pineapple juice
Pour all ingredients except the juices in order into a hurricane glass with ice cubes. Top off with equal parts grapefruit and pineapple juice.

Kamikaze:
3 oz. vodka
1 oz. triple sec
1 oz. lime juice
Shake all ingredients with ice and strian into an old fashioned glass over ice cubes.

Long Island Iced Tea:
1 part vodka
1 part tequila
1 part rum
1 part gin
1 part triple sec
1 1/2 parts sour mix
1 slash cola
Mix ingredients together in a mixing glass, then pour into a shaker with ice. Shake once or twice, then pour into a highball glass and garnish with lemon.

Classic martini (dry):
3 oz. gin
1/4 oz. vermouth
Shake both ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an olive.

Margarita:
1 1/2 oz. tequila
1/2 oz. triple sec
1 oz. lime juice
5 oz. sour mix
1/2 oz. orange juice
1/2 oz. orange Curacao liqueur
Prepare your margarita glass by rubbing lime juice on the rim and dipping it in salt. Blend all ingredients with ice until it forms a slush. Pour into the glass and garnish with lime.

Mojito:
3 sprits of mint
2 tsp sugar
3 tbsp lime juice
1 1/2 oz. rum
club soda
Crush the mint springs in a glass with a fork or muddler. Add sugar and lime juice and stir. Top with ice, add rum, and mix. Top off with cold club soda, garnish with a slice of lime and the remaining mint.

Orgasm:
1/2 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream
1/2 oz. amaretto
1/2 oz. triple sec
1/2 oz. vodka
1 oz. cream
Shake all ingredients with ice and pour into a cocktail glass.

Sex on the Beach:
1 1/2 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. peach schnapps
2 oz. cranberry juice
2 oz. orange juice
Add vodka and schnapps to a highball glass over ice. Top off with the fruit juices.

Strawberry Daquiri:
1/2 oz. strawberry schnapps
1 oz. rum
1 oz. lime juice
1 tsp powdered sugar
1 oz. strawberries
Blend all ingredients with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a strawberry.

Tequila Sunrise:
Tequila to taste
grenadine
orange juice
cranberry juice (optional)
Pour tequila into a highball glass with ice, and top with the fruit juices. Add grenadine, stir, and garnish with a cherry.

Zombie:
1/2 oz. Bacardi 151
1 oz. pineapple juice
1 oz. orange juice
1/2 oz. brandy
1 tsp sugar
2 oz. rum
Blend all ingredients except the 151 and pour into a collins glass. Float the 151 on top.