Impress Your Guests By Applying These Cocktail Preparation Hacks

Did you know that there is more to hosting a drinking session than pouring drinks from your best tequila brand?

Even if you do not have a vast collection of spirits, you can use what you have to create a memorable drinking session. Follow these cocktail preparation hacks to impress your guests and make them feel special.

• Find the Golden Drink Ration

Ratios are at the best place to start when creating your cocktails or when you do not have the recipe at hand. Professional mixologists agree that the perfect drink formula for achieving a harmonious blend of flavor is 2:1:1. This means:

• Two parts of alcohol
• One part sour
• One part sweet 

It might take you several tires to perfect the ratio, but you will improve as you go along. However, you should taste the cocktail after adding every ingredient. 

• Rim the Glasses with Fresh Herbs

Most mixologists rim their cocktail glasses with plain sugar or salt. You could escape this rut and use fresh herbs instead. First off, finely chop herbs that complement your creation then mix it with sugar or salt. 

Wet the rim of the glass with juice from citrus fruits or liquorand then dip the lip of the glass into the herb mixture. Some of the best cocktail pairings are:

– A blood orange and rosemary with a vodka drink

– Thyme and lemon for a champagne cocktail

– Sugar and mint for a blackberry mojito

• Set an Orange Peel on Fire

This practice is known as flamingand it is one of the most popular magic tricks used by bartenders. It is a crowd pullerand it will impress your guests. However, flaming an orange rind is not for the show only; it allows you to squeeze oil from the peel, which adds a zesty citrus flavor. 

Ensure that you only use the freshest orange you can find. Old orange skins will not produce a bright flame or as much flavor to make a difference. 

• User Jam and Preserves as a Sweetener

Sugar or syrup is a crucial part of sweetening a cocktail. However, if you are not in the mood for making syrup, you could substitute it with jam or other preserves. All you need is a tablespoonful of your favorite jam or preserve. 

• Improvised Shakers

Cocktail shakers single purpose is to chill the drink, but what will you do if you do not have a shaker? Mason jars are some of the best alternatives to a store-bought cocktail shaker since they are made from thick glass. You will be able to shake the cocktail and still maintain the chill. 

You could also use two tumblers or glasses. However, you will need practice with this one. The chances are that you might spill the contents on your first try, which will make for some good fun with your guests. 

• Crush Ice and Muddle Herbs with a Rolling Pin

Muddling is the process of pressing fruits and herbs to release flavors. Avoid applying too much pressure since this will make the herbs bitter. You can use the handle of your rolling pin instead of shopping for a muddler. 

While you are at it, you could crash the ice using the rolling pin too. Place the ice in a bag and pound away. You could also use a cast iron pan to crush the ice. 

• Turn Old Wine into Punch

If you are like most people, you use leftover wine for cookingor you throw it out. Did you know that you can give old wine a new lease of life by turning it into a punch? You could make your version of sangria, a fruity wine cocktail.

• Infusing Flavor into the Liquor

Depending on the ingredients you have present, your options of infusing syrups and alcohols will expand your options significantly. Rummage through your pantry and from the herbs and spices that you find, Google how to combine them with the liquor for a tasty cocktail. 

For starters, you should practice with vodka and work your way up to complex spirits such as whiskey and rum. 

• Use Edible Shot Glasses

We have all had alcohol in glasses, but have you ever thought about edible shot glasses. For example, you could toast marshmallows to serve a Baileys cocktail or use a chocolate chip cookie to serve a White Russian cocktail. The possibilities here are endless. 

• Make Fresh Grenadine

Most bartenders make their grenadine in-house. It is sweet and tart syrup that has a deep red color that is made from pomegranate juice and it is a common ingredient in most cocktail recipes. 

The reason why you should make the grenadine is that the commercially available options use artificial ingredients and not a fruit base. Besides, you will have a field day with the flavors you can infuse into the alcohol. 

Conclusion

Homemade cocktails do not have to be bland and boring. With the above tips, you will be a star among your buddies and guests. Who knows, you could even get gigs as a mixologist in their parties.

• Infusing Flavor into the Liquor 

Depending on the ingredients you have present, your options of infusing syrups and alcohols will expand your options significantly. Rummage through your pantry and from the herbs and spices that you find, Google how to combine them with the liquor for a tasty cocktail. 

For starters, you should practice with vodka and work your way up to complex spirits such as whiskey and rum. 

• Use Edible Shot Glasses 

We have all had alcohol in glasses, but have you ever thought about edible shot glasses. For example, you could toast marshmallows to serve a Baileys cocktail or use a chocolate chip cookie to serve a White Russian cocktail. The possibilities here are endless. 

• Make Fresh Grenadine 

Most bartenders make their grenadine in-house. It is sweet and tart syrup that has a deep red color that is made from pomegranate juice and it is a common ingredient in most cocktail recipes. 

The reason why you should make the grenadine is that the commercially available options use artificial ingredients and not a fruit base. Besides, you will have a field day with the flavors you can infuse into the alcohol. 

Conclusion

Homemade cocktails do not have to be bland and boring. With the above tips, you will be a star among your buddies and guests. Who knows, you could even get gigs as a mixologist in their parties.