Are you feeling like getting more creative with your cocktails? Making a cocktail from scratch is extremely rewarding but can be a bit tricky to nail if you’re new to slinging drinks.
Here are six tips to help you get the most out of the experience!
Consider the Flavor Profile
Think about the flavors or cocktails you love. Are you a fan of citrusy, sweet, bitter, or spicy notes? Knowing your preferences will help you choose the right ingredients and have the most chance of making something you want to drink. For instance, if you enjoy tangy flavors, you might want to incorporate fresh lemon or lime juice. Most cocktails wouldn’t dream of not having a citrus element somewhere, but knowing you like a tangier kick means you’ll adjust the proportions accordingly.
Start With a Base Spirit
Some spirits just make more sense as a base with certain flavors. Start with one you want to drink, then see how much it matches your flavor ideas. Just like tequila doesn’t make a great base for an old-fashioned, whisky could be a tough sell in a Paloma. Vodka is an excellent go-to since its mostly neutral base makes it easy to build on.
Add Fresh Ingredients
Fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables can take your cocktail from ordinary to extraordinary. Mint, basil, cucumber, and berries are all fantastic options you’ve probably already enjoyed in cocktails. But don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path and experiment with pineapple, carrot, sage, and other less common fresh ingredients you might see in a cocktail that could make your signature!
Play with Bitters and Spices
Bitters and spices can add depth and complexity to your cocktail. A dash of bitters can bring out the flavors in your drink; we’d even suggest that bitters are one of the most underutilized cocktail elements out there and can truly transform a flavor profile into something exciting. You can also incorporate spices like cinnamon or cardamom to add a unique twist. For example, lemon and cardamom play nicely with each other, so making a simple syrup might be a good idea if you’re already playing with lots of lemon.
Perfect Your Technique
Shaking, stirring, muddling, and blending–each technique can affect the final result. Practice your technique to ensure your cocktail is well-mixed and properly chilled. For example, you might notice that the flavor changes slightly between shaking and stirring. We recommend trying both, but you can also use a cocktail that sounds similar enough to yours and use that technique to make it; chances are it’ll turn out great!
Taste and Adjust
And now, for the worst part: tasting your creations! We know it’s hard to keep trying cocktails until you get it just perfect (sarcasm definitely intended). Still, it’s ultimately a must if you ever plan to serve it to people. It’s generally best to make adjustments as you’re making the cocktail. It might mess up your proportions slightly, but you can always go back and edit the ounces of each ingredient—that’s far more desirable than shaking and serving a cocktail you know you won’t like.
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