Easy steps to building a balanced and tasty cocktail.
Tasty cocktails are a staple to celebrating special occasions, big moments or a night out with friends. Recently people have become more interested in creating the perfect cocktail at home.
In a world full of artificial flavoring and sugary drinks, using these simple steps will help you create a deliciously fresh cocktail at home!
Here are a 7 simple to make a better cocktail:
Tip #1 - Select your spirit base
Selecting your spirit base can be challenging for some. With so many options available at your local package store, deciding what spirit to go with can be overwhelming. The good news is that there is no wrong answer here. You can always choose any of the standard spirits (vodka, gin, rum or bourbon), then get creative with the mixers. Or you can start by practicing some traditional cocktails before branching out into some of the more creative flavors.
Tip #2 - Choose your flavor profile
This is where the real fun begins. Now that you have chosen your spirit it’s time to determine what flavor you would like to have. Will you opt for smokey, tangy, spicy or sweet? Creating a flavor profile for a cocktail is similar to pairing flavors with food. Give some consideration to any herbs, fruits or vegetables that complement each other. Use a flavor chart for guidance. Get creative and have some fun with this!
"There cannot be good living where there is no good drinking."
– Benjamin Franklin
Tip #3 - Use the 2:1:1 ratio
All cocktails are made up of 3 main components (alcohol, citrus & sugar). The standard cocktail contains 1 ½ ounces to 2 ounces of alcohol and equal parts citrus & sugar. Having too much or not enough of one ingredient will result in an unbalanced (and most likely poor tasting) cocktail. Make sure to measure ingredients with a jigger to get the proper portions.
Tip #4 - Use fresh juice
Using fresh juices increases the flavor in a cocktail. This is also a great way to add natural sugar into the cocktail. If you are unable to juice your own fruit, look for packaged juice that is 100% pure. Stores like Sprouts and Whole Foods may have a larger variety of fresh juices.
Tip #5 - Use fresh herbs & fruit
Fresh herbs & fruit are the perfect way to add flavor. Don’t limit your creativity when adding herbs – rosemary, thyme, basil, and lavender are just as delicious as the traditional, mint.
Some flavor combinations to try are:
Strawberry or watermelon + basil
Peach + fig + thyme
Citrus + lavender
Grapefruit + rosemary
Blackberry + mint
Cucumber + basil
Tip #6 - Use the correct ice
Ice is necessary for any cocktail. Drinks are generally chilled, blended or served on the rocks. For a drink served on the rocks, ice should be thick and dense. These ice cubes melt at a slower rate, watering your drink down more slowly giving you more time to enjoy it.
Tip #7 - Select the proper glass
The final step in creating a great cocktail is having the proper glass to enjoy it in. Just make sure that the glass is the proper size to hold your cocktail. Enjoy responsibly!
Creating cocktails can be fun and can become something you look forward to doing often. Having a professional bartender for an event is another great way to introduce creative cocktails at an event.