Flaming cocktails have caught the attention of both bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts alike. This art of bartending has set the bar high in the mixology world. When flammable liquors are ignited, you get to experience their delightful toasty and vanilla flavors. This has become a trend in the cocktail world and is more than a means of presentation of drinks. But, how to properly light a drink on fire? Yes, it’s risky and will require expert skills to become a pro. To help you with safe bartending, here’s a safety guide to set cocktails on fire.
What Exactly Is Flaming In Bartending?
The sight of a flaming cocktail is definitely dazzling to the eye. So, why go that extra mile to flame cocktails when they’re usually served ice-cold? Well, what most people don’t know is that setting cocktails on fire can fundamentally change their flavor profile.
Now, let us answer the big question for you – are flaming drinks done solely for their aesthetics? Well, the answer is, yeah, to a certain extent. A majority of cocktails are given tiny floaters which are then burned off quickly. However, certain exceptions like the Blue Blazer involve setting the drink on fire as it’s said to influence its flavor profile.
Now let us get you acquainted with the science behind flaming cocktails. This involves the temperature as well as the relative strength of an alcohol-water mixture. When it comes to ethanol, it’s known to be fairly combustible. However, lighting it on fire won’t be as easy as touching a flame to its surface. So, the liquid needs to reach a stage wherein the combustion can take place. This is called the flash point. The stronger the ethanol-water solution, the lower is the flash point.
The flash point of 80-proof spirits like whiskey or vodka is around 71℉. Here, ‘proof’ is a measure of the ethanol content in an alcoholic beverage like ABV. So, these spirits need to be heated just slightly for the combustion to take place. This is the case, especially in cold drinks and the flame can be put off easily for them. On the other hand, the combustion of overproof spirits like 151-proof rums occurs at lower temperatures.
Bartenders need to have a thorough knowledge of these details. These are the tricks that help them create a flaming flourish through floaters (an ingredient that’s layered at the top of a drink) of high-proof liquor over cocktails. Just so you know, neutral grain spirits and even a small floater of 151-proof rum can be flamed easily. It’s equally easy to burn off its flame. This helps in creating a flashy cocktail, without really affecting its original taste and flavor.
Also Read: How To Host A Cocktail Party
Why Do We Set Cocktails On Fire?
When you flame a cocktail, you’re caramelizing the sugars in the spirit and making its flavors more interesting. Let’s face it, a Flaming Dr. Pepper wouldn’t taste right if it weren’t flamed! Here are the 3 main reasons why we set cocktails on fire:
Bring Out The Flavor
Wondering how flaming a cocktail can bring out its flavor? Well, the liquid content of your drink will decrease. It’ll taste much richer and deeper as its flavors get condensed. For instance, let’s take the popular flaming cocktail, Flaming Doctor Pepper. Burning this drink helps to caramelize the amaretto in it. Yes, the cocktail gets its signature flavor from this very ingredient.
Heat The Drink
Have you ever wondered why Italians love setting their snifters of Sambuca (anise-flavored liqueur) on fire? If your answer is that they love the enriching flavors of a flamed alcoholic drink, you’re absolutely right! But, along with that, there’s one more reason – to experience the warmth of the drink that energizes one inside out. If you’ve never tried a flaming cocktail before, now’s the time to try one! And, don’t forget to blow the flames off your cocktail. You don’t want to end up burning yourself, right?
Present The Drink In A Unique Way
This is a really big deal in the cocktail world! Setting a cocktail of fire is also showmanship. What better way to start a party than lighting a drink on fire? If you’re learning a thing or two about cocktail mixing hacks, you should really invest in a Tiki Volcano Bowl. These are basically large bowls that make them perfect for lighting drinks on fire. You can fill booze in the small ceramic volcano and ignite it! Then, as the party ritual goes on, enjoy the light of the volcano by sharing the drink with your friends. With the help of a straw of course!
Also Read: 5 Bars And Pubs In Chennai
How To Set Cocktails On Fire?
Now that we’ve taken you through everything you need to know about setting cocktails on fire, we’ll teach you how to make one! So grab all your mixing tools and let’s get started. Before we do, know that you need to be well-versed in using cocktail tools, especially if you want to flame cocktails. The key to successfully accomplishing one is being cautious and doing one step at a time.
Tools
- Shaker tin or a coffee mug
- Lighter
- Shot Glass
Step By Step Process To Set Cocktails On Fire
Step 1: Take a shot glass and fill it up with any of your favorite high-proof alcohol. You can make cocktails like Death In The Afternoon, Zombie, or Sazerac if you want to practice flaming drinks. As we’ve said before, the higher the proof of the spirit, the easier it is to set the drink on fire. Generally, drinks that are 100 proof above are ignited by bartenders. If you choose anything beyond 151 proof, know that you’re actually playing with fire!
Step 2: With the help of a lighter, you can light the shot of alcohol. We recommend using a long-reach architecture, just for safety purposes.
Step 3: To put out the flame over your cocktail, all you have to do is place a shaker tin or a coffee mug over the glass. In case you’re igniting a lime hull of 151 as a float inside a cocktail, there’s a certain way of putting off the flame. You’ll have to carefully submerge the lit lime shot into the dink to extinguish the fire. It can easily be done using a bar spoon.
Also Read: Egg Whites In Cocktails: How To Use Them
Safety Tips To Set A Drink On Fire
- See to it that the place where you’re setting your cocktail on fire is free of anything flammable. Make sure that you keep all paper towels and washcloths aside.
- When you’re filling the shot glass with a high-proof drink, there are chances that you’ll spill the drink. But before you ignite the cocktail, you first need to clean the spilled drink. Also, don’t forget to clean off any booze on your hands and fingers.
- To ignite the cocktail, the safest option would be to use long-neck lighters. We suggest that you avoid using matches or Zippo-style lighters. They have the tendency to add unusual flavors to your drink. You don’t want to put in all the effort to set your drink on fire just to realize it tastes awful!
- When you’re pouring the flaming liquid inside the shot glass, make sure that you’re not filling it all till the top. Don’t forget that it increases the risk of the flaming liquid spilling out of the glass.
- For making flaming cocktails, it’s best if you opt for thick glasses. When you expose the glass to fire, it’ll heat up easily. A thin and weak glass may heat even more rapidly and in worse-case scenarios, it might even shatter.
- One of our most important safety tips to set cocktails on fire is having an extinguisher within arm’s reach! Just having it around isn’t going to help you. Neither is Spider-Man going to come to save you from getting burnt. So, make sure that you learn how to use an extinguisher.
Summing Up
You’ve got to know all the basics in our safety guide to set cocktails on fire. If you’ve come up with any creative flaming cocktail recipes, it’s time you give them a try. With careful planning and cautiousness, you can definitely learn the art of flaming cocktails. Happy and safe drinking to you!
FAQs
Can You Set An Alcoholic Drink On Fire?
If your alcoholic beverage has high-proof alcohol on top of it, you can set the drink on fire. It’s a known fact that alcohol is flammable. So, the higher the proof of your alcohol, the easier it is to set the drink on fire.
Are Flaming Cocktails Safe?
Flaming cocktails can be really dangerous if not done cautiously. That’s why it’s important that you use the right tools and know basic mixology techniques before you start igniting drinks.
Why Do People Set Alcoholic Drinks On Fire?
Many people set alcoholic drinks on fire because it adds a smoky and caramelized flavor to the drink. Apart from that, it also heats the drink and makes it look more presentable and appealing.
Can You Light A Cocktail On Fire?
Since alcohol is extremely flammable, it can ignite easily in a cocktail as well. Just so you know, alcohol that is 80-proof or more can be ignited.
How Do You Set A Lime On Fire For A Cocktail?
Place a lime shell on the top of a cocktail carefully and drop a sugar cube right inside it. You can douse the sugar cube with any high-proof alcohol like rum. After that, you can take a lighter and slowly ignite the lime. Don’t forget to extinguish the fire before you start drinking.
What Alcohol Is Good For Flaming?
High-proof alcohol like rum and absinthe are good for flaming drinks.
What Are The 6 Types Of Cocktails?
Old Fashioned, Martini, Highball, Daiquiri, Moscow Mule, and Whiskey Sour are the 6 types of cocktails you can enjoy.
Why Are Cocktails Smoked?
Most cocktails are smoked in order to enrich their flavors and make them taste better.
