Whether you want to do like Tom Cruise in the movie "Cocktail" or you’re simply looking to explore the art of mixology at home to enjoy a relaxing moment: getting started in the world of home cocktails can seem intimidating. But with the right basics and a bit of practice, nothing can stop you. In this article, we will guide you through the essential steps to becoming a skilled home bartender.
Equip Yourself Properly
Before even thinking about mixing things, make sure you have the necessary basic equipment. This includes a Boston shaker, a jigger, a mixing spoon, a cocktail strainer to hold back the ice, a fine strainer to filter out small ice shards, and glasses suitable for the different types of drinks you plan to prepare. Also know that a good old blender works perfectly and will make the best Frozen Margaritas on earth. You can start with this basic set and invest in more specialized pieces as your passion for drinks grows.
2. Select Simple Recipes to start with
While the world of cocktails is vast and exciting, start with a few simple and classic recipes. A good Negroni, an Old Fashioned, or a Paloma are excellent starting points. Be sure to follow the recipes to the letter, at least at the beginning, carefully measuring the ingredients to achieve the right balance of flavors.
REcette du negroni :
25ml gin
25ml sweet vermouth
25ml amaro liqueur
We stir until the cocktail is chilled, then serve it in a "rocks" glass with an orange wedge (or zest) over ice. Easy Peasy.
Recette Bisou negroni :
25ml Citadelle Gin
25ml Vermouth Cocchi Di Torino
25Ml Bitter Fusetti
3. Choose high-quality ingredients and beautiful garnishes.
We can't insist enough how essential the quality of ingredients is for creating delicious cocktails. Opt for high-quality spirits, fresh juices, and homemade syrups (if possible!)
Don't underestimate the main ingredient in cocktails: ice! You'll need a good amount, and the best quality possible, meaning smooth-surfaced without broken pieces.
There's a particularity in cocktails, the garnishes, those decorations added to finish a drink. Be bold here too: edible flowers, fresh fruit slices, a beautiful glass can be a garnish, a nice zest, a little duck...
4. Master the Basic Techniques
To start, mastering the techniques of "shake" and "stir" will allow you to have a lot of fun. The shake is used to mix ingredients with ice in a shaker, which is shaken vigorously, while the stir is used to mix ingredients using a mixing spoon. At the beginning, don’t be afraid to use your mixing glass shaker; no one will judge you.
Know that, with a few rare exceptions, the rule is as follows: cocktails with lemon are shaken, cocktails without lemon are stirred.
5. Explore and Experiment
Once you're comfortable with the basics, you can start exploring new ingredients, techniques, and recipes. Be creative and personalize your cocktails according to your tastes. Do you have a particular ingredient you love? No problem, it's very likely possible to create a liquid version! As long as the balance of the cocktail is respected (not too acidic, not too sweet, not too diluted, not too bitter), know that anything is possible.
6. MODERATION IS KEY
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