Rum and Coke is okay, and a Diet Sierra Mist with vodka will do in a pinch, but if you want to up the ante of your drink you must find Stirrings. This newish line of high quality mixers is the best thing to happen to cocktails since little umbrellas. Craving a Peppermintini? Consider it done. Mojitos? Forget the hassle of mixing mint and sugar with cold liquid. And the accompanying line of Rimmers is the perfect pairing for the rim of your margarita.
If your drink still feels too plebian, consider one of Stirrings' specialty ingredients like Bitter Orange. Or, you can track down Essences, a "new frontier in cocktails" which includes Summer Basil. If you still aren't satisfied, well, maybe Diet Sierra Mist and vodka is the drink for you after all.
Essences can be found at Whole Foods and Cost Plus World Market, as well as some liquor stores.
