5 Cocktail-Making Mistakes That You Need To Avoid

Making cocktails at home is cool. First of all, it can save you a truckload of money. Secondly, you can impress all your friends by flaunting your signature drinks. You can also be your own bartender and drink your favorite cocktail at any given point in time. However, there are a few common mistakes that can ruin your homemade cocktails and we are listing them down. Here are 5 cocktail-making mistakes that you need to avoid. 

5 Cocktail-Making Mistakes To Avoid

1. Using Average Ingredients
2. Inadequacy In Measuring Your Ingredients
3. Not Following The Recipe
4. Using The Wrong Technique
5. Not Using The Correct Ice

1. Using Average Ingredients

We understand that you are fixing a quick cocktail at home, and you might not have been fully prepared with all the ingredients. But just because it’s the amateur edition, you don’t get to use extremely cheap quality products. Left-over cocktails are cool, but if you only use what’s left in the refrigerator, you will never get the quality correct. To make an awesome drink, your alcohol too needs to be of good quality. So, don’t forget to check the expiry date of your spirits and liquors.

Also Read: Best Alcohol Mixers And Cocktail Mixers To Try

2. Inadequacy In Measuring Your Ingredients

People tend to eye ingredients instead of properly measuring it, that’s a no-no. If the recipe says, 5 ounces of lemon juice, you better take that effort and measure 5 ounces. It will be worth it. If you inadequately measure your ingredients, your cocktail won’t taste like it should. 

This is when a jigger comes to your rescue. They are the most basic tools used by both home and professional bartenders to measure cocktail ingredients. Jiggers come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can help you be consistent when crafting cocktails.

Also Read: What Is Craft Beer? Your Ultimate Guide

3. Not Following The Recipe

Yeah, we all are rebels and we like doing things our way, but if the recipe says add ice last, there’s a reason behind it. For making a good mixed drink, you need to get all the flavors right. It goes without saying that it’ll only happen if you stick to your cocktail recipe. 

Only after you’ve mastered the original recipe will you get the flair to come up with your own variation. You don’t want your drink to disguise its booziness right? Then you better stick to its recipe!

Also Read: Affordable Tequila Brands In India

4. Using The Wrong Technique

Every cocktail is made a particular way and every single technique counts. You should only stir cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Negroni and shake those such as a Daiquiri or Tom Collins unless you want to absolutely mess it up. Expert bartenders won’t recommend wrong mixing techniques or even skipping basic steps like blending and muddling.

Also Read: How To Pair Beer With Food

5. Not Using The Correct Ice

Don’t laugh just yet. One of the most overlooked cocktail ingredients is ice. Most of you must be thinking that its only purpose is to keep your drink chilled. If that’s what you’ve been thinking all this while, you’re definitely mistaken. Adding ice to your drink will also affect its overall quality. 

When you use the wrong ice for your drink, your other ingredients may not blend well. In the end, you’ll end up making a drink that you’ll surely regret after tasting. For instance, if you’re making an Old Fashioned, a big cube of ice will do the trick. For cobblers (shaken drinks), crushed ice works really well. Keep these points in mind and you are golden!

Summing Up

It would be such a mood-killer if you’re wasting all of your best booze in making a mixed drink that doesn’t taste good. These were the 5 cocktail-making mistakes that you need to avoid. So, next time you’re trying your hand at bartending, be mindful of these little things. You’ll soon get the flair of it and may even come up with your own recipes! Till then, happy learning to you!

FAQs

What Are The Common Bartending Mistakes?

Mishandling glasses, not measuring the ingredients right, and stirring instead of shaking the drink are some of the common bartending mistakes.

What Are The 5 Main Points To Include When Making Cocktails?

The first thing to keep in mind is using the correct glasses for making cocktails. Make sure you’re using good quality alcohol and fresh ingredients. See to it that you measure them well. Also, know the recipe for the drink you wish to make. Next, use the correct technique to make the drink and don’t compromise on cocktail garnishes.

What Are The 4 Basic Methods In Making Cocktails?

Blending, shaking, mixing, and stirring are the 4 basic methods in making cocktails.

What Are The 3 Elements Of A Cocktail?

The spirit, syrup, and bitters are said to be the 3 elements of a cocktail.

What Is The Cocktail Formula?

The cocktail formula is 2:1:1 which stands for 2 ounces of spirit, 1 ounce of sweet, and 1 ounce of sour.

What Are The 6 Main Cocktails?

Old Fashioned, Daiquiri, Manhattan, Margarita, Martini, and Moscow Mule are the 6 main cocktails.

Which Cocktail Is Best For Beginners?

Mojito, Screwdriver, and Margarita are some of the best cocktails for beginners.