Here are the basic cocktail essentials, according to the mixologists we spoke to:
Cocktail Basics You Need to Know to Be an At-Home Mixologist
If you want to learn how to make basic bar drinks but don’t know where to start, consider this your starter pack of cocktail essentials.
Karla Walsh began her career at FITNESS magazine in 2010. Since, she’s worked at a wide variety of publications full-time, including BHG.com, Recipe.com and as a cross-brand social media specialist. From search engine optimization to features for print to video strategy, she has a diverse background in all things magazines. At the start of 2019, Karla chose to pursue full-time freelance writing and has contributed to more than 3 dozen brands.
Updated on August 30, 2023
While the world’s best mixologists hone their skills over decades of shaking, stirring, and serving, the pros tell us you won’t need an advanced degree to become well-versed in cocktail basics, from what you need to stock to how to make a perfect drink. We’ve tapped six mixologists for their tricks of the trade so that even novices can have confidence in their mixed drink repertoire.
Which alcohol do you need to make different cocktails? How about the best tools, need-to-know mixed-drink recipes, and the various types of glasses used to serve each? We’ve got the answers. Once you’ve learned the cocktail basics, you’ll be the best at-home bartender on the block.
Cocktail Basics Every Home Bar Needs
Just as you can’t make an incredible dinner recipe without a pantry staple starter pack, you can’t make a delicious mixed drink or mocktail recipe without cocktail basics. Here’s a breakdown of the essential cocktail ingredients for mixing drinks.
Liquor
Whether you’re hosting guests or just like to have all the cocktail basics in stock on your bar cart, head to your local liquor store or an online retailer to stock up. You can often find high-quality mixing spirits for $40 or less, says Alex Barbatsis, head bartender at The Whistler in Chicago, Illinois. “Don’t spend too much on spirits you’re going to mix with,” he says, “No need to put a $200 bourbon in a Whiskey Sour when a $15 bourbon works great.”
- The must-haves: Vodka, gin, whiskey (bourbon, scotch, or rye), tequila (or mezcal), rum, brandy
- The nice-to-haves: Dry and sweet vermouth, triple sec, Kahlua, Aperol, St. Germain, Amaretto, Grand Marnier, Pernod
Bitters, the complex alcohol-based ingredient that sets off the flavor of many cocktails, will also come in handy as you stir or shake up many classic cocktails—and they last up to 5 years at room temperature. Because they last so long, consider stocking a variety of bitters ($91 for three, Amazon).
Mixers
You’ll also need some basic cocktail mixers.
- The must-haves: Tonic water, ginger beer, club soda/sparkling water, simple syrup (DIY by boiling, then simmering equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan until it’s syrupy), limes and lemons for juicing (“The squeeze bottle may be fine for dashing up a fish dish, but a freshly squeezed lime will drastically improve your margarita recipe,” Barbatsis says.)
- The nice-to-haves:Orange juice, ginger ale, cranberry juice, soda/diet soda
Garnishes
Showy finishing touches can elevate cocktail basics and amplify flavors, too.
- The must-haves:Limes, lemons, and oranges for peeling, fresh herbs and spices (rosemary, mint, basil, cinnamon sticks), maraschino cherries, salt, sugar cubes, stuffed green olives
- The nice-to-haves: Pearl onions, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cream of coconut
Ice
Yes, we know this sounds super obvious. But it can make a big difference, according to Ryan Mish, bar manager at The Graceful Ordinary in St. Charles, Illinois. He believes that subpar ice is the step where many home mixologists falter.
“Ice from a standard tray or ice-maker is cloudy due to gases and impurities becoming trapped during the freezing process, as opposed to the more sophisticated, directional freezing method employed by professional ice producers. Because of this, when you shake or stir, the ice will break down faster, and if you aren’t careful, it’s easy to over-dilute your cocktail,” Mish says. “Try ice made in large molds [$8, Target] to remedy this. Larger, harder cubes allow for a proper shake-time, which will aerate your sours, give them a nice frothy head, and really chill your stirred drinks without watering them down.”
The Cocktail Basics to Add To Your Tool Kit
The proper bar tools are essential to mix complex or basic cocktails like a pro. So start collecting these bartending essentials to perfect your favorite drink recipes. Again, you don’t have to invest much to stock your home bar.
“Don’t get caught up in the hype of aesthetics and pricier kits; simply focus on quality essentials,” says Rachel Becker, lead bartender at Little Wild rooftop bar at the Ace Hotel in Chicago, Illinois.
- Jigger: Usually made of metal, this small hourglass-shaped double cup measures drink ingredients. One side is a 1½-ounce jigger; the other is a 1-ounce pony. You can also use a shot glass marked with measurements.
- Cocktail shaker: As the name suggests, you use cocktail shakers to shake or mix the ingredients. There are two types of shakers: the Boston shaker, which requires a separate cocktail strainer, like a Hawthorne strainer, and the standard shaker ($14, Walmart), which comes with a built-in strainer.
- Muddler: A cocktail muddler ($12, Target) mashes ingredients, like the mint leaves in a mint julep, to release their flavors. It’s also used to break up sugar cubes.
- Long-handle metal bar spoon: Use this for stirring cocktails. You could also use it as a muddler in a pinch.
- Blender: For frozen drinks, like daiquiris and margaritas, you’ll need a high-quality blender for crushing ice.
DIGITAL ART TUTORIAL – How to paint a drink
Everyone loves a drink during a warm summer day! What’s your favorite drink? In this digital art tutorial I’ll be showing you how to paint a drink with digital painting software and (preferably) a drawing tablet.
STEP 1 – Make a sketch
The first step is to make a sketch! You can keep it nice and loose. I used a reference photo to make this painting.
STEP 2 – Base color
Once you’ve made the sketch, add a new layer beneath the sketch and start painting the base colors. Be mindful of the edges in your painting, you’ll want the edges of the glass to be nice and crisp, but you can paint the edges of the bubbles more loosely.
STEP 3 – Defining the shape
Lower the opacity of the sketch layer and start to define the details of the painting more. Work from big shapes to smaller shapes.
STEP 4 – Detailing and reflection
Copy the layers you’ve got and flip them vertically, now move them below the glass to make a reflection. You can use a layer mask to fade the reflection and make it look more realistic. Keep working on the details of the painting until you’re satisfied.
Wanna paint a drink too?! Be sure to show me your final result and tag me in your post.
Here’s a little recap of the steps taken.
Or just watch the video!
Have fun practicing and be sure to share your work once you’re done!
Follow my account for digital art tutorials every week!
Have fun painting everyone!
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6 лет назад в #art от artwithflo ( 63 )
