What’s Your Cocktail Personality?

Sometimes moms need a special treat after a long, hard day, and Benjamin Newby, one of Chicago's most celebrated mixologists, recognizes that. He suggests, every once in a while, after the children are in bed, you "whip out your favorite bottle, a shaker and make yourself a drink that reminds you who you are (and what makes you amazing)." Find yourself a quiet spot, relax and indulge yourself in fantasies, where you are always the heroine. And what cocktail should that incredible protagonist be holding? Choose which personality your heroine most resembles and shake up her expert-chosen cocktail.

The Queen is self-assured, poised and assertive. Vibrant and forceful, she's a born leader. "The cocktail that is good enough for the Queen must sparkle, ooze luxury and of course be delicious … but with a little extra kick," Newby says. "I recommend the French 75. A classic with champagne, lemon juice, sugar and gin."

French 75: In a shaker, combine 1 ounce gin, 1 teaspoon superfine sugar, 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice and ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into chilled champagne glass. Top with sparkling wine or champagne.

For the Intellectual, Jan Manning, a certified mixologist of 30 years and author of "Bucket List Weight Loss," recommends the French Martini—with an intelligent low-calorie twist. Simple, clean, organized, Manning says, and with vodka the only alcohol and calorie source, it helps The Intellectual stay sharp and slender. (But once she removes her glasses and hair clip, the rules may no longer apply.)

Sugarless French Martini: Following package directions, mix raspberry-flavored sugarless drink mix with water. In mixing glass, pour 1 1/2 ounces vodka and 1 ounce raspberry drink over ice. Stir. Strain into cocktail glass.

"To be plucky means you're full of energy … and not afraid to do something different," Newby says. "For me, the cocktail that embodies this is the Sidecar, the classic cognac cocktail. The rich flavors of cognac can sometimes be intimidating—but never to the Plucky One," Newby notes.

Sidecar: Rim a martini glass with light brown sugar and chill. In a shaker, add 2 ounces Hennessy VS Cognac, 1 ounce Grand Marnier Orange Liqueur, 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice. Shake with ice and strain into the sugar-rimmed martini glass.

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Devoted to others, the Caregiver is unselfish, competent, genuinely kind and always encouraging. "The Caregiver reminds me of my own mother, who has all those selfless qualities," Newby says. "Spending so much time looking after and focusing on her kids (and now her grandchildren), she needed something that was quick to make, soft and floral-y delicious." She wants the Mock Mule.

Mock Mule: Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice. Add 1 1/2 ounces gin, 1 ounce elderflower liqueur, 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice. Stir in the glass and add a slapped mint leaf for garnish.

Enormously trendy in the '90s, its own popularity killed the Cosmopolitan, which Newby says was frequently "cheapened and made with ugly ingredients." The cocktail needs to return to—and be appreciated for—its original, beautiful form, Newby says. "And it's just the right time for any Nonconformist to bring the cosmopolitan back!"

Cosmopolitan: In a shaker, combine 1 1/2 ounces vodka, 3/4 ounce orange liqueur, 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice ("Don't use Rose's Lime," advises Newby), 1 ounce cranberry juice and ice. Shake well; avoid creating ice chips. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with flamed orange.

Through moderation, reducing calories and drinking plenty of water, Manning says, "we can have our cocktails and drink them too." So for the Warrior—the brave and tenacious woman of action—Manning chooses the Black Cossack. Twelve ounces of Guinness (only 126 calories) and a jigger of vodka (about 100 calories) create a distinctive, strong, relatively skinny drink that will keep any self-respecting warrior fierce and lean, Manning says.

Black Cossack: Slowly pour 16 ounces of Guinness stout into a tall beer glass. With care, gently add 1 ounce of vodka. No stirring is advised.

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"The Temptress needs a cocktail that embodies her sultry ways and velveteen demeanor," Newby says. The San Remo, a Newby original cocktail, "captures all of this." Full in color and taste, it's an eye-catcher—just like the Temptress.

San Remo (created by Benjamin Newby for Taverna 750, Chicago) In a shaker, combine 2 1/2 ounces Hennessy Black, 1/2 ounce strawberry tea syrup (1 cup freshly brewed strawberry tea, 1 cup sugar; stir until dissolved; store in refrigerator), 3/4 ounce lemon juice, 1/2 ounce cherry liqueur. Shake with ice. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with a strawberry.

The damsel is trusting, pure and sweet but possesses an astonishing hidden strength and tenacity. For her, there is only one cocktail, says Newby: the classic martini. "Pure in its color, taste and construction, a stalwart of the cocktail world and society." But, Newby warns, "don't believe a certain spy when he says to have it shaken not stirred!"

Classic Martini Chill martini glass. In a mixing glass, combine 3 ounces gin or vodka, 3/4 ounce dry vermouth and ice. Stir until extremely chilled and ice almost diluted. Strain into chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

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