Pexels – CCO Licence
Love whipping up a cocktail or three when you have friends over? Want to completely blow them away with your cocktail creation skills next time they pay you a visit? Here are a few things you can do to take your cocktails to the next level:
Make your own infused syrups
A lot of people think you need to invest in every single liquor available to make amazing cocktails, but that isn’t the case – there is another option and it comes in the form of infused syrups.
Infused syrups are really easy to make – all you have to do is mix one part sugar with an equal amount of water then heat the mixture until the sugar is dissolved. You can then take the syrup off the heat and mix with whatever flavors you want – from sage to rose – and leave to steep for a while. Strain the mixture and store in the fridge for as many as six months when not using them liberally in your cocktail creations.
It’s all about the garnish
How good a cocktail is rated is mostly about the taste but it’s also a lot about the looks. The first sip is with the eye, so make sure your cocktails always look amazing by garnishing with edible dry flowers, fresh berries, herbs, lime slices, or whatever you can think of that matches the flavor profile and your cocktails will be the best ever.
Serve them from a bar cart
While we’re on the subject of how your cocktail looks, it’s much more impressive to serve your drinks from one of the best bar carts on the market than it is to serve them on the kitchen counter. Bar carts are stylish and sophisticated and if you have one you’ll certainly be upping your cocktail game.
Flavor your ice
Flavored ice is another simple way of adding an extra level of interest, not to mention an additional flavor profile, to your cocktails. They’re really easy to make, just add herbs or fresh flowers to boiling water and let it steep for a while. Once it’s cooled down, strain and pour into ice cube molds. You can also do this with fruit or fruit purees if that would work better with your drinks.
Make fruit purees
Speaking of fruit purees, they’re much more fresh and tantalizing to the tastebuds than packet mixes, so get to the grocers, pick up the freshest fruit you can find, and get blending.
Choose your glass wisely
The right cocktail glass can make s huge difference to how your cocktail comes across so choose wisely. Colored glass, unusual shapes, using things that aren’t technically glasses at all – these are all ways of taking your cocktail art to the next level.
Don’t forget the swizzle sticks
Swizzle sticks and straws are a must for any true cocktail aficionado and these days you can get everything from gold swizzle sticks to straws shaped like flamingoes. Match your straws and sticks to the theme of your cocktails and you’ll most definitely elevate them.
Bottoms up!
Speak Your Mind