We all have tried making cocktails at home, haven’t we? But did that ever taste the same as the ones you get in the bar? No, right. But why is that so, even when you used the same spirit and ingredients as the bartenders? Well, that is because maybe you are making some mistakes. Yes, mistakes don’t happen only in the form of wrong ingredients or measurements. There might be a mistake in the technique, serving, or even other little things that might hamper the taste and texture. So here is a list of some cocktail mistakes that you are making and should avoid in the future.
You need to know when to shake or stir your cocktail and when not to. Remember that shaking adds air to the cocktail. So if your cocktail contains mixers like dairy, cream liqueur, fruit juices, or egg, you need to shake it to make sure that the ingredients blend well. If it contains bitters and liquors or is spirit-forward, make sure you stir it. Always taste your cocktail before you pour it into the final glass.
Cocktails are best served chilled. So serving it in room-temperature glassware would warm up the drink instantly. Make sure that you let the glassware sit in the fridge for 30 minutes right before you serve it.
Watery cocktails are a big no! While shaking, make sure you fill your cocktail shaker with as little ice as less ice melt quickly. You must also avoid using small ice cubes as they tend to melt quickly. One of the best hacks is to use a silicon tray and fill it with hot water. This will help in cancelling the air bubble, and hence the ice will not melt quickly.
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If your cocktail includes fruits, herbs, or lime and needs muddling, make sure you do not skip it. Muddling actually helps in extracting excess flavors from the herbs and fruits. Make sure you muddle the herbs and leaves a bit gently as compared to lime or fruits. Also, remember that over-muddling can lead to the flavor turning bitter.
If you replace premium spirits that are used by bartenders to make your cocktail with cheap spirits at home, you will surely taste the difference. While some rare cheap spirits almost give you the same taste as premium spirits. But that is the point, they do not give you the same taste, hence the cocktail made at home won’t taste the same as one you tried in the bar.
If you think free-pouring the ingredients will get you the desired result, then you surely are wrong. The right measurements are very important when it comes to making a cocktail. Many cocktail kits can help you with the right measuring equipment, like a strainer, a jigger, a muddler, a cocktail shaker, a bar spoon, and more, which are essential to make a perfect cocktail.
If you thought the garnish was only for the visual appeal of the drink, well, you are so wrong. Yes, the garnish indeed makes the drink look more attractive, but they also serve a purpose. They tend to add aroma (essential oils from citrus peels) to the drink and, in some cases, also add that extra tinge to the cocktail.
Make sure you save this article and also share it with your friends so that they, too, can make the best cocktails right at home. Also, let us know how many of these mistakes you have made until now!
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