If you have been sipping cocktails for some time, you should know that every cocktail on the menu is not classified by the category. Even though we end up classifying each drink as a cocktail, it is just one of the categories in the alcoholic beverage section of the menu. To gather some advanced information on this, read on
1. Cocktail
A cocktail is an alcoholic beverage that consists of a base spirit, a sweetening agent (like sugar), bitters and water. It is just a diluted version of a liquor, for example the whiskey-based Manhattan that tastes just like a watered-down peg of whiskey. A cocktail is shaken, stirred or built over ice.
Martini, Old Fashioned and Manhattan are classified as cocktails.
2. Punch
A drink that packs a base spirit, a sweetening agent, citrus, spices and water/tea is classified as a punch. It is one of the oldest forms of mixed alcoholic beverages, believed to be invented in the early 1600s by British sailors in India.
A punch uses five ingredients and can be served either cold or hot. Sangria and Mai Tai fall under the classification.
3. Sour
A sour is a drink that contains a strong base spirit (like rum, whisky and brandy), a sweetening agent and citrus (like lime/lemon juice). At times, bartenders add bitters and an egg white to a sour to add extra flavours and texture to it. The drink uses spirit in a 2:1 ratio with citrus and is shaken, not stirred.
Cosmopolitan, Sidecar, Margarita and Daiquiri are some of the most-ordered sours.
4. Collins
All of us have had a sip of Tom Collins at a party! Well, a Collins is any mixed drink that uses a base spirit, a sweetening agent, citrus and soda. Basically, a sour drink topped with soda and served over ice becomes a collins.
Kentucky Lemonade and Tom Collins are great examples of the classification.
5. Highball
Served in a highball glass, a highball uses only two ingredients – a base spirit and a mixer (like soda or fruit juice). This drink is a quick fix and is served without a garnish usually.
Gin & Tonic, Moscow Mule and Tequila Sunrise are the most popular types of highball drinks.
Now that you know your drinks a step further, it’s time to flaunt this new information on a night out! Cheers!
