'Straight Up Or On The Rocks'

No two cocktails are alike. They come in various flavors and each hold its own distinct character. And unlike some other beverages, the drinks are created to your own taste.

CBS News Sunday Morning, share two cocktail recipes from William Grime's book, "Straight Up Or On the Rocks." As he wrote in his book: "America has given the world much. It should take pride in the cocktail too."

So, do a little shaking and enjoy the sweet alcoholic brew.

Mojito

The Mojito, although traditionally a long drink (it's sometimes called a Rum Collins), works just as well short. Just skip the carbonated water and pour the ingredients into a cocktail glass instead of a highball or Collins glass.

Ingredients

Juice of 1/4 lime
1 teaspoon sugar (or a dash of simple syrup)
Mint Leaves
2 ounces light or amber rum
4 ounces carbonated water
1 mint sprig

Method

In a highball glass, muddle the lime juice and sugar with several mint leaves. Add rum, fill the glass with crushed ice, and top up with carbonated water. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Bronx

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce French (dry) vermouth
1/2 ounce Italian (sweet) vermouth
Juice of 1/4 orange

Method

Pour ingredients into an ice-filled shaker. Shake, then strain into a cocktail glass.

Recipes Excerpted from William Grimes' book: Straight Up Or On the Rocks
(North Point Press, 2001)