The Perfect Blend: Mixing Drinks for the Perfect Night Out.
When it comes to a night out and enjoying some drinks, nothing quite beats being able to mix your own delicious cocktail. We have all been in that rush trying to order a round of drinks and ending up with a glass of vodka-tonic, or overpaying for a sub-par drink. What if you could have the best of both worlds? Combining a great atmosphere, with a delicious, craftily mixed drink!
In this post, we’ll go through some of the most popular mixed drinks, the tools you’ll need in order to create a successful at-home bar, and some tips on how to make your drink look as good as it tastes.
Starting off with the basics, it is first important to understand the main components of a mixed drink. All mixed drinks, regardless of their intricate differences, all contain three essential ingredients: a spirit, a mixer, and a garnish. The base spirit is what provides the alcohol content of the drink, typically this is whiskey, vodka, gin, tequila, or a rum. Depending on the type of drink you are creating, this spirit is combined with a mixer such as ginger ale, tonic, orange juice, cola, energy drinks, or syrups. Garnishes provide the signature touch on any drink and create the amazing visual for your guests; these may range from olives, lemon, lime, orange, or mint.
When considering the tools needed for a successful bar set up, these will typically consist of a shaker, measuring tools, stirring stick, and a muddler. There are several variations of these tools, and the type you get will depend on the specific types of drinks you are planning to make. Shakers come in a range of styles with pint glasses, Boston shakers, and cobbler shakers being the most common. Measuring tools are used to ensure the correct amounts of each ingredient are used, they come in jiggers or plastic beakers. The stirring stick is essential to thoroughly combine all the ingredients evenly, and muddlers are used to crush certain herbs or fruits for drink recipes.
Now that you have an understanding of the ingredients and tools, let’s get into some of the more popular drink recipes. First off, the classic Martini. A Martini is created by shaking together two ounces of Gin and or Vodka, with a tablespoon of dry vermouth, over ice. To provide added zest, the glass rims are typically coated in sugar, salt, or julienned lemon zest.
Manhattans are also a staple of a great bar, and consist of two ounces of Bourbon or Rye whiskey, one ounce of sweet vermouth, and two dashes of Angostura bitters, stirred and served straight up. To provide a signature touch, the glass rim can be garnished with brandied cherries or orange zest.
Up next is a twist on a classic, the Pina Colada. This wonderful drink calls for two ounces of white rum, two ounces of coconut milk, two ounces of pineapple juice, the juice of half a lime, and two tablespoons of simple syrup. This fabulous drink should be blended for 15 seconds and garnished with a lime wheel and cocktail cherry.
Canned Cocktails are also becoming very popular in the mixology arena, and there are many variations of these, from margaritas, to Mimosas, to Bloody Mary’s. These packaged cocktails, whether frozen or refrigerated, are awesome for providing easy access to your favorite drink that often does not need to be cut with any additional ingredients.
For an amazing visual on a drink, there are several techniques one can use. From smoke bombs, to torching fruit, to using edible flowers, to beautiful ice spheres, making your drink an Instagram worthy ‘work of art’ is definitely within reach.
In conclusion, understanding and mastering the basics of mixology can be both a fun and rewarding adventure. With the right ingredients, tools, and techniques, you will be able to impress your family and friends while serving up a delicious and creative cocktail. With a bar set up at home and knowing some of the classic drinks, you’re sure to have a night to remember!