By Laura McShan

Those of us who live in Far West Texas understand an epicurean paradox : Its hospitality is unrivaled , yet some of the ingredients we use to make our favorite foods and drinks to share with others can be hard to come by . But as a seeker of all things indulgent and delicious , I ' ve always believed that beauty and delectability can be found even in the most unexpected places .

At the Marfa Spirit Co ., where I tend and manage the bar , the region ’ s challenges are all the more acute . That ’ s not necessarily a bad thing ; discovering new purpose is partly what makes it so fulfilling . The art I ' ve immersed myself in is seeing the glass as half full , preferably with a chilled cocktail .

So if you ’ re anything like me – for whom dinner parties are the norm , fancy sips on the porch a ritual , and a bar that guarantees a damn good cocktail is gospel – you ’ ll probably want some drink recipes on hand that are easy to make and don ’ t require the world ’ s most exotic ingredients . Though ranch waters and margaritas flow like water out here , I want to highlight a masterpiece that we all know but ought to show more love to : the classic Martini , a timeless libation that has seen me through many a sunset and breakup and is an essential foundation for any home bartender . The ingredients listed below are a staple for any household and lend themselves to the mixing other classic cocktails . You don ’ t even need a shaker . �