8 Tips for Making Delicious Homemade Cocktails
Beyond the classics and simpler go-tos, there are a multitude of ways to create a cocktail with what you have at home, but you still need to know the basic principles to be able to play mixologist. Here are eight tips to create original drinks and wow your guests!
1. A matter of balance
Like when preparing a dish, it’s just as important to consider balancing flavours in the glass as well. A roughly equal ratio of tangy, sweet and slightly bitter elements is a good base. Keep these proportions in mind when it comes to creating swoon-worthy cocktails.
2. Be chill
To best appreciate a good cocktail, it must be cold. This can be done by adding ice cubes, but if so, use a good amount rather than just one, as it may dilute the flavours once melted. Other options include putting your glasses in the fridge, or even in the freezer, a good hour before serving.
3. A good composition
You want you and your guests to have good memories of your cocktail, so texture is essential. This can include adding sparkling wine or soda to create a fizzy effect, egg white or vegan emulsifier to create a frothy sensation, or a simple syrup that can be made at home to give it a velvety mouthfeel.
4. Flavour pairing
Are you more of a fruity, herbaceous or spicy type? When making a cocktail, it’s interesting to combine aromas that you like. Depending on your preferences, it’s good to have some basic alcohols (neutral gin, whisky, rum), some bitter ones (Aperol or Campari and Angostura—an orange peel bitter) and sweet liqueurs such as crème de cassis or limoncello. It’s also useful to stock up on syrups or your favourite fruits and herbs to create fun mixtures.
The Essentials
- Simple syrup is a staple ingredient in so many cocktails. You can make it at home by adding equal amounts of water and sugar in a saucepan and boiling it for a few minutes. You can also perk it up with fresh or frozen fruit, citrus peels or spices.
- Flavoured syrups found in grocery stores are ideal for cocktails, mocktails and even lemonade. Cucumber and raspberry, lime or lemon—there’s something for everyone. They’re convenient, and they add a sweet flavour to any blend. All you have to do is choose the ones that you like!
- Lemon juice awakens the flavour and colour of any cocktail. It is not necessary to add a lot, only a teaspoon is often enough for the desired effect.
- We can’t say it enough: ice cube trays are an essential item that you need to have on hand in your freezer at all times. You can even plan in advance to fill a few bins and avoid serving old ice cubes that might taste bad.
5. Shake it up
In addition to the fact that a shaker is used to mix different drink elements evenly, it’s also useful for crushing fresh fruit and extracting essential oils from herbs or citrus peels. That said, if you’re hosting a big group, you might prefer to use a blender.
6. The right glass
The amount of ice cubes you use will influence your glass choice. So a cocktail that has a good amount of ice cubes will need to be served in a solid, highball-style glass. On the other hand, a delicate glass, such as a Marie-Antoinette, will be able to accommodate a cocktail without ice.
7. Decor details
You’ll want to present your expertly crafted cocktail in a pretty and festive way. In terms of garnishes, use the elements that have been put in the glass as a nod to the flavours. Did you use a squeeze of orange? Rub the rind around the edge of the glass to moisten it and then coat with sugar. Did you make a margarita? Add a few slices of lime on top. A sprig of thyme for a herbaceous cocktail or a mini cocktail skewer with a few fresh cranberries is also enough to give style to your cocktail, especially if these ingredients are found in the glass.
8. Mix things up
It’s not just cocktails that are festive, mocktails are also festive in their own way, without the alcohol! They’re a good way to moderate your consumption and quench your thirst. You can even cover classics or go for original variations. For example: a non-alcoholic spritz, an apple-ginger mocktail (with apple juice, grated fresh ginger, lemon juice and maple syrup) or a blackberry drink (with non-alcoholic gin, orgeat syrup made from almonds, lemon and mint). The combinations are endless!
With these few tips, you’re now ready to get started in the world of cocktails and have fun!