Mixing the Perfect Cocktail: What do I need?

by: Derek Rogers

Mixing the perfect cocktail is something of an art. Anyone can throw together some ingredients and call it a cocktail, but only those with the proper skills can make a cocktail that people will actually want to drink. Understanding the different drink recipes is only the beginning of mixing the perfect cocktail. The real key to perfection lies in getting the ingredients and the utensils right.

Basic Rules

When mixing drinks you have to have some basic idea of what to do. There are some basic rules that will help you to get started on your path to mixing the perfect cocktail.

You should start by ensuring that all the utensils and glasses that you will use are clean. You do not want dust or other debris to end up in the drink. Cocktails are as much about taste as they are about presentation.

Most cocktails are to be served cool. It is important to ensure that you have ice on hand and that everything is at the proper temperature before starting.

A big mistake many novices make is forgoing the measuring tools. Measuring tools have an important role. Only real experts can simply judge the proper amount of ingredients. It is always best to measure everything to ensure that perfect taste.

Lastly, use only the best ingredients. Your cocktail, no matter how finely mixed, will not taste perfect if you use bad ingredients. You do not have to spend top dollar, but you should ensure freshness.

Mixing Tips

Now that you know some basic rules, you can get on to actually mixing up a cocktail. There are some other tips that will help you. You already know to have good ingredients on hand. Now you should focus in on making sure that everything else is in order.

Ice is important, as mentioned, to serving a drink at the proper temperature. Ice can greatly affect the flavor of the drink. You should use freshly frozen ice to avoid a freezer burn taste that will ruin your drinks. Use crushed ice for blended drinks and fruity flavored drinks. If the ice is going right in the drink then use cubes so they will melt slowly and not spoil the taste of the drink.

When you are mixing, make sure to mix completely. You will need either to shake or stir the drink, depending on what you are making. Some drinks must be shaken or stirred while others could be made either way. Be sure to know the different requirements for each drink. Also after mixing, you should immediately serve in a glass. Leaving it sit can dilute the flavor.

Carbonated drinks should have the carbonation added last. Also, be sure to never shake a carbonated drink. A light stir will work just fine.

Make sure when mixing cocktails that you follow recipes exactly and that you take time to measure. Trying to guess at it can ruin the whole drink.

Mixing the perfect cocktail is all about being precise and paying attention to the details. You want to ensure that your guests are getting the drink they want. Since cocktails are so popular, people will know if the taste is right or not, so do not guess or take shortcuts.