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Learn the Basics to Crafting Your Favorite Mixed Drinks |
Quarantine life brought out the Betty Crocker in many for the last year and a half. Dozens of videos of baking and cooking (and burning) flooded the internet. Making delicious cocktails also became a hobby for many. Even though quarantine has ended, learning to make your favorite alcoholic beverages can still become your new favorite pastime. Let Joe Canal’s of Lawrenceville, NJ teach you the basic tips to creating classic drinks for your next dinner party or Thirsty Thursday. A History Lesson on the CocktailThe first cocktail can be traced back to the 1800s, and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defined the term mixology as “the art of preparing mixed drinks” in 1872. While cocktails rose in and out of popularity throughout the early 20th century, they have remained a staple in the foodservice industry since the 1980s. During the Prohibition era, cocktails were essential. The quality of liquors was very low because they were distilled illicitly. The harsh tastes of the illegal drinks were covered up by mixing them with fruit juices, sweeteners, and other flavors to make them palatable. In the last decade, the terms mixology and mixologist have brought finesse and sophistication to the professional field of bartending. Many in the profession are giving lessons to patrons on how to craft simple cocktails at home. This article goes over the basic vocabulary, tools, and ingredients to make classic cocktails as well as a few recipes that include our list of spirits. VocabularyBefore you can make your favorite drinks, you have to know the proper terms that differentiate the cocktails and how they are served.
Important Bar Tools to HaveInvesting in a good-quality shaker will make mixing drinks easy. Some come with a strainer attached. A bar spoon, jigger, and muddler are necessary for measuring, stirring, and crushing ingredients for different cocktails. In some cases, a blender is a necessary tool as well. The Six Liquor Bases and Their RelativesKnowing the difference between your liquor bases and the liqueurs that are made from them is crucial. Gin, brandy, whiskey, vodka, tequila, and rum are true liquors that will be the headline of your cocktails. Liqueurs are any of these bases with additives such as dairy, flavorings, or sweeteners. Cream liqueurs have dairy products in them and are creamy. Products such as these are any Bailey’s liqueurs or another Irish cream whiskey. Crème liqueurs are syrupy, not creamy. Other frequently used alcoholic ingredients like vermouth, absinthe, and aperitifs have spirits in them, too. Although they are not spirits, beer and wines are often used to mix cocktails. A simple mimosa is a popular brunch cocktail that pairs well with many dishes. Pro Tips for Making CocktailsWhen you are getting ready to mix drinks, there are a few key tips to keep in mind to help create your best concoction.
Practice Your Mixology Skills With Joe Canal'sNow that you have the basics, get creative and have fun crafting your favorite cocktails. Contact us at Joe Canal's of Lawrenceville, NJ to learn more about our selection of beers, wines, and spirits to make the best drinks! |
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