Cocktails
By
User:Kristenmollica @timeAndDate(1265209970)
You don't need a reason to enjoy a delicious
cocktail. Originally a cocktail was a mixture of
mixed drinks has become lost over the years, and any mixed drink is often thought of as a cocktail. Today, a cocktail is one or more types of
liquor mixed with one or more types of mixer (bitters, fruit juice, soda, ice, sugar, etc). If you can mix something with alcohol and it tastes good, you have yourself a cocktail!
Bar Tools
Before you start gathering ingredients to make your yummy drinks, you will need some basic
bar tools in order to make your drinks properly. Be sure to check out the
Bar Accessories Guide for a complete list.
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Cocktail Shaker: A device used to put ingredients and ice in to properly mix a drink. Shake for about 5 to 10 seconds and always remember to add ice if the drink needs to be served chilled.
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Cocktail Strainer: If you are using a shaker that does not contain a strainer built in, you will need a strainer to separate the ice or any other solid ingredients from the drink when pouring into the glass.
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Jigger: A metal measuring device. It might take some time before you can eyeball those measurements.
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Bar Spoon: A bar spoon has a much longer handle and a small spoon bowl with holes. This special spoon is great for stirring, layering drinks, and fishing out those cherries and olives from the jar!
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Muddler: A thick wooden or metal stick used to mash ingredients at the bottom of a glass. This is an essential tool for all you Mojito lovers.
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Bottle/Speed Pourer: A handy device to make pouring your ingredients easier and neater. Make sure to take the pourer out and replace the cap if you won't be using the bottle for awhile.
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Corkscrew: Prevents lots of frustration when someone brings over a bottle of wine.
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Cocktail Glasses: It's always best to have the proper glasses for the proper cocktail. There is a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.
Liquor
The first thing you will need to make your cocktail is liquor, whether it be hard
liquor,
liqueur,
beer, or
wine. Beer cocktails will require specific brands of beer depending on the cocktail you are making. The same goes for making cocktails with wine/sparkling wine/champagne, and liqueurs. Here is a list of typical alcohol that is used to make cocktails:
Mixers
There are all sorts of mixers that you can use to enhance your cocktail. Mixers can make drinks sweet, sour, or savory and can also help to dilute the alcohol content. Some mixers are used purely to change the color of a cocktail.
Some popular mixers that appear in most cocktails are:
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Coffee
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Energy Drinks
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Iced Tea
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Soda Water
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Soda/Pop
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Tonic Water
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Milk/Cream
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Fruit Juice
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Honey
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Hot Sauce
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Grenadine
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Simple Syrup
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Sour Mix
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Egg Whites
Some mixes come already
prepared so that all you have to do is add alcohol:
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Bloody Mary mix
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Margarita mix
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Mojito mix
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Mudslide mix
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Daiquiri mix
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Apple Martini mix
Garnish
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