Cocktail-making is about far more than whizzing a few drinks together. When done properly, it’s an art form, a fusion of flavors that will send your taste buds into overdrive.
Want to learn how to shake, rattle, and roll with the best of them? Here are our top mixology tips on crafting the perfect cocktail and impressing your friends and family.
1. Just like with food, ingredients are key
Perhaps the most fundamental element of great cocktail making is sourcing fresh, fabulous ingredients. Get this stage right before anything else, and you’ll have the best base from which to build the perfect cocktail.
2. Infusions add an extra dimension
Infusing liquor is a great way to bring a real depth of flavor to your cocktails. Add one or two ingredients to your liquors and leave them for 1-7 days, and you’ll be blown away!
3. Be prepared!
As the old adage goes, fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Create a checklist of equipment and ingredients you’ll need, and keep them close to hand as you make your cocktails.
4. Appearances aren’t everything… but they are important
Cocktails have to taste good, of course. But every truly exceptional cocktail is drop-dead gorgeous. It wins you over with its looks, then seals the deal with its amazing flavor. Garnish, adorn, and be creative!
5. Make homemade sugar syrup and keep it close to hand
Sugar syrup is a mixologist’s best friend. It allows you to instantly tweak your creations until you’ve arrived at the perfect sweet spot.
6. Ice, ice, baby!
Lots of people go easy on the ice. That’s not the way to go. Ice helps you control temperature and dilution. When it comes to ice and cocktails, less is definitely not more.
7. Gauge the mood
Our sensations are reflected by our surroundings, and choosing the right cocktail is half the challenge. Go vintage for classy dinners. Think old fashioned, and more playful for vibrant parties; think pornstar Martini.
8. Suit the season
Like food, cocktails are seasonal creations – some work best in summer, like a long vodka, while others are more soothing and better left to the year's colder months.
9. Chill your glassware
By pre-chiling your glasses, you make sure that your homemade cocktails will stay cool for longer. The frosted glass also adds a nice aesthetic to your classy cocktail.
10. Get your glasses right
Chances are, cocktail recipes will call for specific glasses. From highballs to classic old fashioned glasses, a classy receptacle completes the look.
11. Don’t be a lemon… fresh citrus only!
If you're thinking of using bottled lemon or lime juice, stop. There’s no comparison between fresh and bottled citrus. Just one squeeze and you’ll notice the difference immediately.
12. Add ice at the end
You might think pouring over ice is the way to go. But adding ice at the end gives you 100% control over the dilution of your cocktail.
13. Cater to the crowd
If you're making a large batch of cocktails for a big party, keep it simple and consider self service. A large punch bowl goes a long way, and pre-mixing is a great way to get ahead of the curve.
14. Invest in the right tools
A good cocktail maker always comes prepared. From jiggers and muddlers to shakers and spoons, make sure you have the right equipment to whip up exquisite cocktails.
15. If you’re caught short, get creative
If you haven’t got the right tools, use your imagination. Mason jars can be used as shakers, vegetable peelers can be used to create garnishes and slotted spoons make decent muddlers and strainers. Use your imagination!
16. Always taste!
Like a good cook, you should always be the first to taste your creations. If it's not good enough for you, it’s not good enough for your audience. Taste, test and tweak until you find cocktail perfection.
17. Create layers for the wow factor!
Layering cocktails by floating ingredients on top of one another for a spectacular effect. This alien brain hemorrhage recipe is a great example.
18. Go for the rim shot
Adding a custom rim to a glass can take a cocktail to a whole different level. Add salt, sugar or spice to enhance the flavor and bring a new dimension.
19. A measure of success
While experienced mixologists can eyeball measurements, be sure to use a jigger and get those ratios spot on.
20. Find your own style
After following recipes for a while, you’ll start to get an understanding of the art of cocktail making. Now’s the time to experiment, get creative and put your own twist on things!
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