Cocktails are the perfect combination of several techniques and methods that add flavor and color to the black and white film of alcohol. It doesn't take years of practice to master the basic bartending skills needed to prepare a delicious cocktail. Whether you're making simple drinks or more complex ones, preparing the best drinks requires a lot of effort and uses many types of strategies and practices. One of the most important techniques is shaking. Unlike the brute force of shaking, shaking is a much more subtle technique.
You'll usually want to stir when making all-alcohol cocktails, such as Martinis or Manhattans. Fill a mixing glass with ice halfway and use a long bar spoon to stir quickly enough to create almost a vortex in the center of the cocktail. Stir for about 30 seconds, let the cocktail sit for a few more seconds, then strain and pour. If your cocktail uses a carbonated ingredient (such as soda or tonic water), neither shaking nor stirring in a traditional way is the best option to mix it.
In this case, simply place the ingredients in the glass, stir gently (no need to create a vortex) for 10 seconds or less, and then enjoy. Generally, a cocktail that contains carbonation won't be judged by its subtlety anyway, so all you have to do is make sure that each sip contains an even distribution of alcohol and mixer. Another technique is flaming. This method should be administered under cautious circumstances, only as part of making beverages, and not to brag about abilities to get cheap thrills. Flaming is the method by which a cocktail or liquor is set on fire, usually to enhance the flavor of a drink. The third technique is building.
This is a quick and easy 6% method for preparing cocktails and is generally used with simple beverages that only have a few ingredients. However, if you're going to use a basic shaker or serve a drink that's already been removed, you'll need the right tools. Finally, muddling is another essential technique used in bartending. Muddling is used to extract flavors from fruits, herbs, spices, and other ingredients. To muddle correctly, place your ingredients in the bottom of your glass or shaker and press them with your muddler until they are crushed but not completely pulverized. These are just some of the essential techniques used in bartending.
With practice and dedication, you can master these techniques and create delicious cocktails for your friends and family.
