April Fool’s Day may not get the same respect as, say, Halloween, or even Earth Day, but that doesn’t mean you should miss the chance to trick your favorite drinking buddies.

But how could we top last year’s herbaceous Green Chartreuse and Don Julio Tequila mock-Appletini, created by our talented advisor Aisha Sharpe, co-owner of drinks consultancy Contemporary Cocktails?

Well, we decided to team her up with another of our all-star advisors, Dushan Zaric, co-owner of New York hotspots Employees Only and Macao Trading Co., to devise the perfect mixological hijinks.

The diabolical duo came back with two tipples that aren’t at all what they seem. The tart Not Cosmo, which looks like the real thing, contains Beefeater 24 Gin, Aperol and grapefruit juice.
And the refreshing Not Manhattan (pictured above), which could easily pass for the whiskey and vermouth classic, is made with Banks Rum and apple juice.

While both concoctions were designed to fool the eye and the palate, they are worth mixing up even when you know what you’re drinking. Now that’s a real trick.

Not Cosmo

Contributed by Aisha Sharpe and Dushan Zaric

INGREDIENTS:

• 2.5 oz Beefeater 24 Gin
• .5 oz Aperol
• .5 oz Ruby red grapefruit juice

Garnish: Lime wedge
Glass: Martini

PREPARATION:

Add all the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, and strain into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Not Manhattan

Contributed by Aisha Sharpe and Dushan Zaric

INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5 oz Banks 5-Island Rum
• 2 oz Martinelli’s Apple Juice
• 3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
• 4 dashes Angostura Bitters

Garnish: Cherry
Glass: Martini

PREPARATION:

Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir, and strain into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with a cherry.