Socail Hour | 11 Simple Things That Will Make Your co*cktails Better (2024)

11 Simple Things

That Will Make Your co*cktails Better

Here’s a brief look at some of the basic tenets to making great co*cktails. If you follow these, you'll be well on your way. They are organized in the chronologicalthe stepsof preparing a co*cktail from beginning to end, asoutlined on the Basic co*cktailProcess Page. Many of these topics also have their own individual pages where they arecovered in greater depth.

3. Chill Your Glassware

(Including the Mixing Glass)

This is probablythe easiest step you can take towards making better drinks. It makes a surprisingly big difference.The colder your glass, the colder your co*cktail will be and colder co*cktails taste better. The best method is toput all glassware in the freezer at least 10-15 minutes before you start mixing - including themixing glass,if you are using one. You can also rapidly chillglasses by filling them up with ice and water, though that will not get them quite as cold.

1. Use Fresh Ingredients,

Particularly Citrus Juice

While fresh ingredients are always better, fresh citrus juice is essential to good co*cktails. All you need to makeit is abasic hand juicer. It may require a little extraeffort, but not as much as you think, and the result is incomparably superior to the pasteurized “real” juice you get in those little plastic lemons and limes. Fresh juice will typically keepfor just a day or two, soonly make as muchas you need.One lemon or limewill usually get you enough juice for 1-2 drinks.

2. MakeSimple Syrup

Simple syrup is the most common co*cktail sweetener. It is the yin to the tart citrus juice'syang. This is another ingredient that requires self-preparation, but it's extremely easy, or "simple", you might say. Just combine equal parts sugar and hot water - from the tap is fine - and stir them together until the sugar is dissolved. You do notneed to boil the water the stove, though you can. It'll keep forat least a month in the refrigerator, so you can make it in largebatches.

4. Measure All Ingredients

If you want your drinks to be consistentlybalanced and delicious, you need to measure your ingredients. You can't "free-pour" by eyeballing it. ¼ of an ounce here or there can make all thedifference. Jiggers are tools designed formeasuring co*cktailingredients. Butyou can also use measuring cups, teaspoons or anything thatwill calculate liquid volume. Just so long as you measure with something.

5. Don’t Build a Drink over Ice

You should only add ice to the shaker or mixing glass after you’ve assembled all the ingredients, and right before you shake or stir. As cool as it looks to pour booze over ice,it's not a great habit to get intobecause the ingredientswill chill and dilute at different rates, potentially throwing things off balance.Chilling and dilution aretime-sensitive elements that you want to control. Pouring ingredientsover icerelinquishes some of that control.

6. Shake co*cktails that Containany Fresh Ingredients

When a co*cktailcontains any fresh,non-alcoholic ingredients, like fruit or citrus juice, it is generally best shaken. Prime examples are the Whiskey Sour, Margarita andDaiquiri. This is because thesetypes of co*cktails tend to be brighter and more refreshing, and theybenefit from the lively texture and added chilling and dilutionthat shaking provides. A more in-depth look at this can be found onthe Shaking vs. Stirring page.

7. Stir co*cktails that Contain

all Alcohol-Based Ingredients

If a co*cktailis composed of allalcohol-based ingredientssuch as spirits, vermouthor liqueurs, it istypically best stirred. The Manhattan, Martini and Old Fashioned are standard bearers of this style.Theseco*cktails arestronger, spirit-forward,and sipped more slowly. Stirring is ideal for them because it brings out subtleties in the booze, preservesa smooth andsilky textureand allows the base spirit to be the star of the show.

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8. ConsiderHow the type of IceAffectsChilling and Dilution

The condition of the ice you're using will have a bearing on how long you need to shake or stir. Larger cubes will melt slower than smaller cubes, and shiny wet cubes will melt faster than dry, frosty ones. Being aware ofthese factorsand adjusting your mixing time accordingly - shorter for fast melting cubes, longer slow melting ones - will make you much more adeptat hittingyour co*cktail's chilling and dilution sweet spot. You can read more about thison theicepage.

9. Strain over Fresh Ice

When a co*cktail is served on the rocks, it may seem like alogical shortcut to pour all the contents of your mixing vessel rightinto the glassinstead of straining it.But it’s not a great idea. The ice you've shaken or stirred with will have already started to warm up and melt. This will cause your drink to become watered down very quickly. It's generally always best to strain a co*cktailover fresh ice cubes, which will keep itcolder for longer. Of course, there are exceptions.

10. Taste, and Trust Your Instincts

The best way to improve your co*cktails skills is to tastethroughout the mixing process. It will give you a better understanding ofhow various factors and techniques affect the final result. Usea straw or spoonto take small samples along the way. Take it all in and apply what you learn todevelop your co*cktail intuition. And always when in doubt, trust your instincts. They are better than you think.

11. Stay Organized&Clean as You Go

One of the biggest issues people encounter when making co*cktails is the chaotic mess it creates. You can end up with a sea ofbottle caps, citrus rinds and stickysurfaces.Keeping things clean and organized will not only streamline and expeditethe process but you'll also have less mess when you're done. Alwayshave a trash can nearby and something to wipe up any spills. Returnbottlesto the liquor cabinet when you're finished with them and place used toolsin the sink, or rinsethem if they'll be used again - especially jiggers.This holdstrue for both home and professional bartenders.