Imagine having the luxury of a cocktail station, all in the comfort of your own home. Well, it is possible, all you need is the right equipment, and the determination to master your mixology skills! Cocktail making is like baking a cake. Yes you might think you have all of the essentials you need, but then you forget about the essentials such as baking soda, or in the case of cocktails, a proper mixer to ensure all the ingredients combine.
In this blog, we will share all of the cocktail-making essentials you need to know about, including ingredients for the broad range of cocktails, and of course smaller details such as garnishings. Take a look at the following suggestions:
Cocktail glasses
First things first, let’s start with the foundations. You need some cocktail glasses fit for purpose if you want your attendees to be wowed by your attention to detail. There are so many options for cocktail glasses, to the point where it can be overwhelming to choose the right ones. Here’s a simplified list of glasses you should consider:
Margarita Glass – designed for Margaritas
Martini Glass – perfect for stirred drinks like Martinis, Manhattans, and Cosmopolitans
Coupe Glass – often used for Champagne but also ideal for cocktails like the Margarita.
Rocks Glass – used for cocktails served on the rocks, like Old Fashions, Negronis, and Whiskey Sours
Highball Glass – Idea for an iced drink with mixers such as Gin and Tonic, Vodka Soda, and Rum and Coke
Hurricane Glass – Used for tropical cocktails
Cocktail garnishes
What is a professional cocktail without the addition of a true garnish? There are a few simple garnishings you should always have in stock, such as mint, chopped fruit slices, and perhaps the occasional sugar rim of the cocktail glass. For the funkier cocktails, you can make your tropical display with mini umbrellas and pick sticks displayed with an image of your choice.
Mixing glasses and spoons
Boring, yet essentially, you need to have the correct cocktail mixing equipment, such as shakers, spoons and mixing glasses. At least have two of each on hand so you can make two different cocktails of choice on the go.
Ice makers and buckets
An underrated golden nugget, you can grab yourself an ice machine if you want your cocktails to be extra professional. Perhaps you already have an iced fridge whereby you have access to ready-made ice, or perhaps you rely on a trusted ice tray in your freezer. If you can do so, crushed ice is a cocktail essential and can help you make the most delicious daiquiris.
Syrups
Bag yourself a selection of fruit syrups to add to your cocktails now and then, They often give your drinks the extra burst of flavour they need with just a small addition of flavour. Essential flavours include strawberry, mango, and perhaps maybe a chocolate syrup for your espresso martinis.
Canned cocktails
If all else fails and your cocktail-making begins to get tiresome, it is always a good idea to have some ready to drink cocktails to hand. A great alternative to homemade cocktails, they offer the same delicious flavour of normal cocktails, all in a compact and easy-to-drink can. You can even put our one into a cocktail glass and garnishings to make it seem homemade, your guests will never know!
Add comment