So it’s the weekend and it’s time for booze o’clock. You want to make a cocktail for yourself at home but the ones you’ve made previously didn’t turn out to be as great as you’d like. But hey, you’re also new to the bartender game and there’s scope for you to learn and harness those skills. To help you out here, we’ve come up with some tips and tricks and basically all the top things you need to remember when making some cocktails at home. Try these and we assure you that you’ll never make another poor-tasting cocktail again.
Top Things To Remember When Making Cocktails
- Measure The Ingredients
- Pay Attention To Presentation And Garnishing
- Sample Before Serving
- Fresh Ingredients
- Selecting Cocktail Glassware
- Chilling And Heating Cocktail Glassware Ahead Of Time
- Use Lots Of Ice When Shaking
- Use Premium Ingredients And Liquors
1. Measure The Ingredients
Well, the first and foremost thing to remember is to measure the ingredients of your cocktail. Eyeballing your way through a cocktail is going to give you sore taste buds. The given ingredients in a cocktail play a very crucial role in taste and appearance. Finding the right balance of ingredients is what gives the drink the right punch and burst of flavors.
If you don’t know how to go about it, have a look at a recipe online to understand the process and the ingredients that are involved. Try to learn the method of making and preparing cocktails with thorough recipes. If reading the recipes feels too complicated, watch videos on YouTube and you’ll be good to go.
When you’re looking for recipes online, remember that you don’t have to follow them to the T. Don’t shy away from adding your own twist to the cocktail. You can alter some ingredients according to your taste preference. You can also experiment and come up with some cocktails of your own with ingredients of your choice. The key here is the right measurement and the balance of it all.
Also Read: 7 Best Classic Whiskey Cocktail Recipes
2. Pay Attention To Presentation And Garnishing
We know it’s the weekend and that you’re lazy, but that’s no reason to skip an important step when making your favorite cocktail. We’re talking about garnishing your cocktail with the given ingredients. Usually, you’ll see cocktails garnished with herbs, fruits, leaves, and a lot of other things. Do you know why that is? Well, it’s because the garnish is an essential ingredient of the cocktail which enhances its taste. These garnishes are supposed to be dipped in the drink before you take a sip. The aroma and flavors mingle with the ingredients of the cocktail and add depth of flavor to it.
So the next time you’re being lazy to not add any garnish, you know that the taste of the cocktail is being compromised to a certain degree. Take some effort and garnish the drink with the given ingredients. Whether you’ve to rim the glass or add skewers, it’s a great way to know that you’ve made a drink that tastes exceptionally well.
Also Read: 5 Classic Cocktails And The Stories Behind Their Names
3. Sample Before Serving
The best way to know that you’re serving a delicious drink to your unsuspecting patrons is by tasting it first. It’s smart to be the first one so you know the strengths and weaknesses of your drink. If the drink is not that great, it gives you an opportunity to damage control by adding the needed ingredients to balance the flavors even better. Use a straw (or a full tall glass) to ensure that the cocktail you’ve made is blended well and that the flavors are immaculate.
Also Read: 10 Best Bars And Pubs In Bangalore
4. Use Fresh Ingredients
Well, it’s no secret that fresh ingredients do taste better and add a zest of freshness to the cocktail. If you could spare the time, it’s recommended that you only use fresh ingredients to make your cocktails. Frozen fruits, store-bought syrups, or juices work well, but the aroma, flavor, and freshness that these fresh ingredients add to a cocktail are unmatched. And why would you have a mediocre-tasting cocktail when you can make an amazing-tasting cocktail? So spend those extra bucks if possible and make fresh ingredients a priority. Trust us, your cocktail is going to taste 10 times better and your palate and even body will be glad.
Also read: 7 Easy Vodka Cocktail Recipes That You Have To Try
5. Selecting Cocktail Glassware
The look, shape, substance, weight, and balance of a cocktail glass impact the taste of the cocktail. The cocktail glass is almost as significant as the drink that it contains and should be picked wisely. The ingredients and spirits used are delicate and expensive. Hence, using a cocktail glass that allows the drink to stay cool for a long time and lets you enjoy the taste of the drink is important.
Ideally using a smaller glass instead of a big one is preferred. We know that serving cocktails in small cocktail glasses does seem like a lot of work, but the cocktail remains chilled for a long time and you need to pick your battles, right? If you use a tall and big cocktail glass, the chances are that the drink will turn warm over time and lose its freshness and flavors. So, do your research and make sure you’re picking the right cocktail glass.
Also Read: 7 Best Tequila Cocktails You Don’t Want To Miss
6. Chill Or Heat Cocktail Glassware Ahead Of Time
Speaking of using the right glassware, it’s also important that you chill the cocktail glassware ahead of time. You’ll be using ice in most cocktails while making them, but it’s also important that the glassware remains cool (for chilled cocktails) or warm (for warm cocktails) for a longer time. Chilling or heating your cocktail glass ahead of time is a good trick in the book that solves that issue.
Put the glasses in the refrigerator or fill them with ice and water to cool them. If you need the glass to be warm, fill it with boiling water for some time and it should stay warm for quite a while. The cocktail will stay delightful to the very last sip if the glass is chilled or warm.
Also Read: 10 Best Pubs In Mumbai With A Dance Floor
7. Use Lots Of Ice When Shaking
Staying in the lane of chilled cocktails, you’d be shocked to know just how much ice you need. Whether you’re making these drinks for a cocktail party or simply for yourself, you need to have ample ice on hand. One rule when making cocktails is that there is never enough ice. Good quality ice is always the best choice when it comes to making your cocktails stay chilled for a long time.
Good quality ice is the one that melts slowly, is dry, solid, and thick; it’s usually the one that your fingers stick to when held in hand. Using good quality ice ensures that your cocktails are diluted with the best ice you’ve got. Another thing to be mindful of is not using ice twice. Always use fresh ice when shaking cocktails even when using the same ingredients. You should never use the same piece of ice more than once while shaking, stirring, or serving your drink.
Also Read: 7 Best Snacks To Pair With Whiskey
8. Use Premium Ingredients And Liquors
This is the last but by no means the least important point that everyone making cocktails should adhere to. Using premium ingredients and liquors when making cocktails is an unsaid rule that everyone must follow. This doesn’t mean you buy expensive liquors for your home bar, but also don’t simply buy some cheap alternatives either. Liquor made with quality ingredients is going to enhance the flavors of your cocktail. Good quality liquor always takes precedence and you’ll know why once you make the cocktail and try it for yourself.
Also Read: 8 Best Cocktail Bars In Goa
Summing Up
With the things to remember when making cocktails at home mentioned above, you’ll be able to harness the skills over time with practice. Once you’ve got that covered, you’re free to pursue bartending as your side hustle. And when you become famous, you can repay us by sharing this blog on your socials. Until then, keep practicing and learning the art of making cocktails. Adios!
FAQs
What Are The 4 Components That Balance A Cocktail?
Spirits, sugar, water, and bitters are the four important components that are important for a well-balanced cocktail.
What Are The 6 Basic Cocktails?
In the world of cocktails, there are some classics that you can never go wrong with. The following are 6 basic cocktails that you must try at least once.
- Old Fashioned
- Martini
- Daiquiri
- Screwdriver
- Whiskey Highball
- Piña Colada
How Many Times Should You Stir A Cocktail?
A general rule of thumb that is followed is stirring a cocktail for at least 30 seconds. This allows the ingredients to blend well and for your cocktail to taste better.
What Is The Golden Ratio For Cocktails?
The golden ratio when making cocktails is 2:1:1. This is two parts spirit, one part sweet, and one part sour. If you’ve got that right, your cocktail is going to taste fantastic.
How Do You Make Cocktails Properly?
This is a simple yet complex question as no two cocktails are the same. But getting the ratio, ingredients, steps, and recipe right are some things that will help you make cocktails properly.
What Should You Not Do In A Cocktail?
One thing you never do when making a cocktail is dilute it with water. Always use ice to dilute the drink and make it icy cold.
