Photo Credit - iStock/MaximFesenko
Ever been to a bar and had the “Most Amazing Cocktail EH-VER”? Often, certain bars put out the most delicious drinks, with seeming effortlessness.
So, what do you do to try and replicate this experience at home? Perhaps you take a picture of the menu, make a trip to the liquor store, buy the ingredients, mix the cocktail at home and “voila!”….it tastes nothing like what you had at the bar. But why? - There are many factors that go into shaking a delicious cocktail, but here are two major reasons why your at home concoction doesn’t taste quite like the one from the bar 1) the bartender has spent a long time perfecting their trade, and 2) bars purposely don’t list proportions on their menus (they want you to come back for more!).
What I will attempt to do here is help you get over these hurdles, so you can be the star at your next home gathering.
STEP 1: KEY INGREDIENTS
Having the proper ingredients is key. You will want to have…
Major Liquors - At least two selections from the major categories:
- Vodka
- Rum
- Gin
- Whiskey
- Tequila
Liqueurs - Needed, but a category that will take time to build up, as it can get rather pricey
- Triple Sec
- Peach Schnapps
- Cream Liqueurs
Mixers -
- Fresh juices (lemon, lime, grapefruit, cranberry…)
- Sweetened lime juice
- Simple syrup
- Grenadine
- Bitters (Angostura is the perfect place to start)
STEP 2: TOOLS
Now that you have all the booze and mixers, you will need to gather some tools.
Essentials:
- Shaker Tins
- Bar Spoon (no, not a regular spoon)
- Strainer (the one you want is the one with the spring is called a Hawthorne Strainer)
- Jigger
- A Muddler
Extras that will come in time (as you perfect your cocktail making)
- Julep Strainer
- Mixing Jar
- Ice Pick
- Paring Knife
- Channel Knife (used for making garnishes and zesting) etc.…
STEP 3: RECIPE REPLICATION & RATIOS
OK. We have all the supplies to make this cocktail. You still have that photo of the menu that you took of that one cocktail that one time? Yes? Good. We can use that as a guide to get you on your way.
Just like ingredients on the back of any food item, cocktail ingredients are generally listed in the order from most to least. The first item listed is going to be the largest amount. Mind you, I said “generally”.
From this, we can break down the ratios and begin to make the drink.
For example - Let’s say the menu reads:
- Gin
- Ginger Liqueur
- Lime
- Agave Nectar
- Mint
- Ginger Beer
From this we can assume that Gin is the largest quantity and Agave Nectar is the least. Ginger Beer and other carbonated items are most likely a topper or filler. I would start with measurements like this (in order of items listed)
1.5 oz. gin
.75 oz. liqueur
.5oz. lime juice
.5 oz. agave nectar
Top off with ginger beer to fill the glass
STEP 4: TASTE TESTING & ADJUSTMENTS
Now, we taste. Is it close? Did you go blind? Now is when you get to trial and error your way into making the cocktail that you so desired. Remember to always write down what you are doing so you don’t make the same mistake twice.
GLASSWARE
Glassware is something that is very personal, and I don’t feel comfortable suggesting a specific brand or design, but I will suggest a few styles to always keep in your home.
- Low Ball
- Rocks
- Coupe (I like these more than martini glasses)
- Some pint glasses (almost everyone likes a good beer every now and then)
PLAN B
If all else fails, you can also ask the bartender for the recipe…they may not give it to you, but it never hurts to ask.
