The word ‘Cocktail’ first appeared in an American dictionary in 1806, meaning “a mixed drink of any spirit bitters and sugar.”
There are some disagreements on where the name came from. The most plausible is the French term’ coquetel,’ meaning a mixed drink. However, today, we categorize a mixed drink as two mixed ingredients: Rum and Coke, Gin and Tonic. Once a third ingredient is added and it requires more steps, it is a Cocktail.
Reading a Cocktail
Reading a cocktail recipe might seem daunting, but it’s pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it! Here’s a breakdown:
Name of the Cocktail:
Usually at the top and tells you what drink you’re making.
Ingredients:
Listed below the name, you’ll see a list of all the ingredients you need to make the cocktail. Each ingredient will follow the required amount, usually in ounces or milliliters. For example:
– 2 oz (60 ml) Gin
– 1 oz (30 ml) Lemon Juice
– 0.5 oz (15 ml) Simple Syrup
Preparation Instructions:
After the ingredients, you’ll find the steps for making the cocktail. These instructions typically tell you what to do with each ingredient, such as shaking, stirring, or straining. For example:
– Combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker.
– Fill the shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
– Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
– Garnish with a lemon twist.
Garnish (Optional):
Some recipes will include a garnish, which is an extra decorative element added to the finished cocktail. This might be a citrus twist, a cherry, or something else to add a final touch.
Glass Type:
The type of glassware recommended for serving the cocktail. Common types include martini, rocks, highball, and Collins glasses.
That’s pretty much it! Once you have all your ingredients and equipment ready, follow the recipe step by step, and you’ll enjoy a delicious cocktail in no time.
Making a Cocktail
Making cocktails doesn’t have to be complicated. A bartender’s secret is the Golden Ratio, which helps you memorize one formula and use it repeatedly to make many different cocktails. If you stick to the formula, you almost can’t make a mistake; you can make standard cocktails and create some of your own with minimal risk of failure.
The Golden Ratio is this simple recipe:
2 parts spirit (rum, tequila, vodka, whiskey, gin, cognac, etc.)
1 part sweet (honey, simple syrup, agave syrup, triple sec, liqueur, fruit syrups, etc.)
1 part tart (lemon, lime, grapefruit, etc.)
If you convert it to actual measurements, it could look like:
2 ounces (60mL) Spirit
1 ounce (30mL) Sweet
1 ounce (30mL) Tart
Shaking: Mix and chill the drink and slightly dilute it. Halffill a shaker with ice and pour the drink over. Shake for 10 seconds for clear drinks and strain into the appropriate glass. Cocktails that contain ingredients that need to be thoroughly mixed, such as fruit juices, syrups, cream, or egg whites, are shaken a little longer.
– Cocktails like Margaritas, Daiquiris, and Whiskey Sours are often shaken.
Stirring: Involves gently mixing the ingredients and ice in a mixing glass or stirring vessel using a bar spoon. This method is preferred for primarily spirit-based cocktails that don’t contain ingredients that need vigorous mixing. Stirring ensures a smooth and clear appearance without the cloudy texture that shaking can sometimes produce. It also minimizes dilution, allowing the drink to maintain its intended flavor profile while still chilling it.
– Cocktails like Martinis, Manhattans, and Negronis are typically stirred.
The choice between shaking and stirring depends on the cocktail’s ingredients and desired characteristics.
Blending: Blending a cocktail involves mixing various ingredients using a blender to achieve a smooth and consistent texture.
Muddling: This means gently pressing and mixing ingredients in the bottom of a glass with a pestle or the back of a spoon to make a rough puree.
Layering: The heaviest part of a layered drink goes in first; the following layers are gently poured over the back of a spoon.
Ice: Ice cubes are typically used to shake and stir. Crushed ice chills faster, but it melts and leads to quicker dilution.
Salting the rim: The intention is to coat the outside rim surface of the glass, not the inside. Moisten with lemon or lime juice, then carefully turn the outside of the rim in a saucer of salt or sugar.
With a twist: Pare small strips of lemon or lime. Hold the peel between your thumb and forefinger, and give it a quick twist so that some oil sprays from the skin onto the drink. Run the twist around the rim of the glass and drop in.
Measurements: Cocktail measurements are typically expressed in parts, which can be any unit of volume (e.g., ounces, milliliters, or even parts of a jigger). Standard measurements for cocktails include:
Ounce (oz): The standard unit of measurement for most cocktails in the United States.
Milliliter (ml): Commonly used in countries that follow the metric system, such as much of Europe.
Jigger: A dual-cup measuring tool. One side is typically twice the volume of the other. The most common jugger size is 1.5 oz, with the small size holding ¾ oz. If a recipe calls for a jigger, it is 1.5 oz.
Shot: Often equivalent to 1.5 ounces (or 44 milliliters) in the U.S. but can vary by region.
Pony: If the recipe calls for a pony, it is 1 oz.
Dash: A small, imprecise amount, usually around 1/8 of a teaspoon.
Splash: An even less precise measurement than a dash, typically just a tiny amount added for flavor.
Parts: A ratio system where you use equal parts of each ingredient. For example, a cocktail recipe might call for 2 parts gin and 1 part vermouth.
When making cocktails, it’s essential to follow the recipe closely, especially when it comes to measurements, as they can significantly affect the taste and balance of the final drink.
Creating a Cocktail
Writing a cocktail recipe is a creative and fun process involving basic knowledge, experimentation, and personalization. Here are some steps you can follow to create your own cocktail recipe using the golden rule:
Choose a base spirit. This is the main alcoholic ingredient of your cocktail, such as vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey, etc. You can use your favorite spirit or try something new. The base spirit usually makes up about 2 parts of your cocktail.
Add a sweetener. This balances the alcohol and adds flavor to your cocktail, such as simple syrup, honey, agave, fruit juice, liqueur, etc. The sweetener usually makes up about 1 part of your cocktail.
Add a sour element. This adds acidity and brightness to your cocktail, such as lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange, vinegar, etc. The sour element usually makes up about 1 part of your cocktail.
Shake or stir. Depending on the ingredients and the texture, you can shake or stir your cocktail with ice in a shaker or a mixing glass. Shaking is suitable for cocktails that have fruit juice, egg, cream, or other ingredients that need to be emulsified. Stirring is ideal for cocktails that have only spirits and liqueurs or that need to be clear and smooth.
Strain and serve. You can strain your cocktail into a glass with fresh ice or serve it without ice if you prefer. You can also choose the type of glass that suits your cocktail, such as a coupe, a martini glass, a rocks glass, a highball glass, etc.
Garnish. This final touch adds visual appeal and aroma to your cocktail, such as a citrus peel, a cherry, a mint sprig, a flower, a spice, etc. You can be creative with your garnish, but make sure it complements the flavor and style of your cocktail.
That’s it! You have created your own cocktail recipe. You can name, write, and share it with others.
As mentioned before, the fundamental formula for creating a cocktail is 2:1:1. However, do not limit yourself to this formula. Go wild; mix up the formula, tweak it, experiment with different ingredients, and discover new combinations.
As an example:
Kamikaze is a standard cocktail: 2 parts Vodka, 1 part Triple Sec, and 1 part Lime.
Chambord Kamikaze: 3 oz Vodka, ½ oz Cointreau, ½ oz lemon juice, ½ oz simple syrup, ½ oz Chambord, ½ lime, sliced, and lime for garnish.
The combinations are endless; have fun.
Writing Drink Recipes
Writing drink recipes requires clarity, detail, and a standardized format to ensure anyone can follow them accurately. It’s essential to write recipes easily recreated by your intended audience. Assume the recipe reader knows nothing. Be sure you specify the brand of your spirits. There are many different styles and flavors for all spirits. Be specific.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write drink recipes:
Title:
Begin with a descriptive title that clearly identifies the drink. For example, “Vodka Martini” or “Brandy Alexander.”
Servings:
Cocktail recipes are for 1 drink unless otherwise noted.
Ingredients:
List all the ingredients needed to make the drink. Write each ingredient on a separate line. Be specific about brands or types of ingredients if they significantly affect the taste.
The order of ingredients is almost always listed with the largest amount first, followed in descending order by the rest of the ingredients. If the amounts are equal, the spirit is listed first, followed by the sweet and the tart. Garnishes are last. Sometimes salt and ice are listed in the ingredients, but most often, they will be listed under instructions.
Use standardized measurements (e.g., ounces, milliliters, parts) to avoid confusion.
For example:
– 2 oz Tequila
– 1 oz Fresh lime juice
– 0.5 oz Triple sec
– Salt for rimming the glass
– Ice cubes.
Instructions:
Provide clear, step-by-step instructions on how to prepare the drink. Break down the process into simple, concise steps. Use action verbs to indicate what needs to be done. For example:
– Rim a margarita glass with salt by running a lime wedge around the rim and dipping it into salt.
– Fill a shaker with ice cubes.
– Pour in the tequila, fresh lime juice, and triple sec.
– Shake well until chilled.
– Strain the mixture into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
– Garnish with a lime wedge.
Garnish (optional):
If the drink requires garnishes, specify them at the end of the instructions. Garnishes not only enhance the drink’s appearance but can also contribute to its flavor. For example:
– Garnish with a lime wedge or a slice of fresh strawberry.
Serve:
Mention specific instructions, such as serving the drink in a particular type of glassware. A coupe versus a martini glass makes a big difference in presentation. Or adding additional.
Variations (optional):
If there are popular variations of the drink or ways to customize it, you can include this information at the end of the recipe. This allows readers to experiment and tailor the recipe to their preferences. For example:
– For a spicy twist, muddle jalapeño slices with the other ingredients.
– Replace the triple sec with orange liqueur for a different flavor profile.
Tips:
Provide additional tips or suggestions to help readers make the drink successful. This could include advice on ingredient substitutions, techniques for better results, or serving recommendations. For example:
– Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor.
– Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less triple sec according to your preferences.
Final Notes:
End the recipe with any final notes, such as the origin of the drink, its history, or interesting facts related to it.
By following these steps, you can write clear and comprehensive drink recipes that readers can follow and replicate.
