There’s a lot that goes into making the perfect co*cktail. After all, that’s why they are called “craft co*cktails”, a craft that is practiced and perfected over time.
The fact is, anyone can become a co*cktail-making expert, you just have to know what it takes! Get the basics down and you’re on your way to becoming the best bar in town – or your own kitchen!
The Golden Ratio
Get a perfectly flavor-balanced co*cktail with the bartender’s golden ratio of 2:1:1. That means, 2 parts spirit, 1 part sweet, and 1 part sour.
First, you’ll begin with 2 parts of your spirit of choice: vodka, gin, rum – what have you. Secondly, add that to a mixing tin with ice. Measure out 1 part of a sweet ingredient: simple syrup, vermouth, triple sec, etc. and add that to your mixture. Finally, measure out 1 part of something sour: lime juice, lemon juice, or sour mix, and pour into your tin.
Ice or Not to Ice?
You may think ice is solely used to chill your co*cktail or slowly water it down. But iced down co*cktails can be quite controversial. As the ice melts and dilutes your beverage, it affects the flavor profile of your craft co*cktail.
Some co*cktails, like citrusy ones, are best enjoyed when diluted and chilled down to a temperature of below freezing. On the other hand, a dark-liquor co*cktail like the classic Manhattan needs less dilution and chilling. Therefore, little to no ice at all.
The Perfect co*cktail Glass
To archive your perfect co*cktail, serve it in the proper glass! The glass can effect the taste, aroma, and temperature. While there are many different co*cktail glasses, the most popular (and debatably important) are:
Martini Glass: Stylish but also designed to keep the drinkers’ hands off of the glass and on the stem. This prevents the drink from becoming warm.
Copper Mug: Essential for the Moscow Mule. Copper Mugs can be used to keep drinks icy cold as copper is a great temperature conductor. Learn more about the science behind the world’s coldest mug, click here!
Rocks Glass: Perfectly sized for two ounces of liquor, ice, and a garnish. The perfect glass for co*cktails that aren’t mixed with many ingredients.
Highball Glass: Similar to the rocks glass only taller. Perfectly sized for co*cktails made with the golden ratio in mind.
Hurricane Glass: The fun glass that is always in vacation mode. Usually the largest glasses in a bartender’s stock and are used in order to contain more liquid (and more liquor)
Garnish & Enjoy the Perfect co*cktail
Finally, the last step to craft the perfect co*cktail, garnish! Every great bartender knows that the garnish is meant to not only enhance appearance but also flavor.
A thin slice of orange peel brings out the aroma in an old-fashioned, a marinated olive perfectly pairs with a dirty martini and a paper umbrella compliments the daiquiri. Garnishes can determine the difference between a co*cktail and the perfect co*cktail.
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