What Cocktails Can You Make With Basic Ingredients?
So the time has come, maybe you want to save some bucks from the trips to the bar or are planning to entertain friends and family at the next get together. You’re reading this because you’re thinking about whipping up some high end cocktails for fun. It can seem a little intimidating to get started with basic home mixology. Fear not though, it really couldn't be easier and you don’t need a lot to get started. We’ll start with what you’d need to purchase in the short term to get started.
To get specific we’ll break down the six parent cocktails and what you need to replicate them at home, with some helpful recommendations along the way. I’m personally a huge fan of Death and Co.'s Cocktail Codex and use their philosophy when making referencing classics or creating something original. Take these templates away as a way for your own creativity to do the rest and have fun.
The Six Essential Cocktail Templates for Home Mixology
The Old Fashioned: Spirit, Sugar, Bitters
Spirit, Sugar, Bitters. You can get as creative with your base spirit: Bourbon, Rye, Tequila, or even Rum. With few exceptions I don’t want Gin involved with this (we’ll get to that later). For the sugar you can use regular cane sugar or switch it up with turbinado sugar, maple syrup, honey, or agave. I’m not your mother, use something sweet and it’ll work unless it’s splenda or some rubbish like that. Bitters: it’s the seasoning to your drink and you can play quite a bit with this one. Angostura is a must but also consider orange, walnut, grapefruit, mole, cherry, or habanero bitters to name a few. Basic build: 2 oz spirit, .25 oz sugar syrup, 2 dashes bitters, aromatic garnish like an orange
The Martini: Spirit & Fortified Wine
Spirit - Fortified Wine. I don’t care what all of the haters think, vermouth is great if you find a decent one and take care of it. It belongs in Martinis, otherwise you just want a diluted spirit and no one is giving you points for that and I will give the side eye if you use vodka (but that’s none of my business, do what makes you happy). Take your spirit, starting at 2 ounces, add an ounce of vermouth, stir it quickly until a pint glass is nicely chilled and put it in your fanciest cocktail glass preferably kept in the freezer before hand. To finish it off throw an olive, cherry, or a citrus twist on it and call it a day. You have successfully poured a strong boozy masterpiece that is destined to remind everyone in the room who the classiest person in the room is and that certainly would win at poker. Basic build: 2 oz spirit, 1 oz fortified wine, optional dash of orange bitters, edible garnish
The Daiquiri: Spirit, Sugar, & Citrus
Spirit, Sugar, Citrus. This is what 90% of you all should attempt if you want any success entertaining anyone without handlebar mustaches and the smell of cedar on their beards. Most of you have something sugary at home, just grab a spirit of your choice and then a citrus (lemon or lime mainly). Rum, Tequila, Gin, Bourbon, it doesn’t matter. If you add sugar and citrus to these and shake it up, people will like it and drink it. For sweeteners think about simple syrups, make a custom simple syrup (2 parts sugar to either water or juice with optional herbs/infusions if you’re feeling extra fancy) or honey, maple syrup, or anything else I don’t care whatever you deem fit. Have fun with this one, they will easily be the most refreshing. Basic build: 2 oz Spirit, .75 - 1 oz syrup, .75 - 1 oz citrus
The Sidecar: Adding Liqueur for Exoticism
Spirit, Liqueur, Sugar, Citrus. So close to a Daiquiri I could almost taste it, but the liqueur is what adds the exoticism that takes it to the next level. You got some triple sec, creme de cassis, elderflower liqueur, or any other fun liqueur then feel free to play with it. This is the second most refreshing option to play with if you’re wanting to get serious about mixology. Here’s a basic build to get you going, don’t sleep on this style of cocktail. Basic build: 1.5 oz Spirit, .75 oz liqueur, .25 oz sweeter, .75 - 1 oz citrus
The Highball: Simple Spirit & Soda
Spirit - Soda. All the vodka soda lovers rejoice, you never knew you were drinking something fancy this whole time. Just kidding, you thought I would give vodka any love here? All we have here is a tasty spirit, think whisky, gin, rum, or scotch and add something sparkling at the end. No shaking required, although I recommend keeping your glassware cold as heck to maintain the bubbles. For your sodas think club soda, tonic, sprite, cola, or any wild soda you want to experiment with. Basic build: 1.5 - 2 oz spirit, top with carbonated beverage
The Flip: Creamy & Rich Nightcaps
Spirit, liqueur optional, egg and or cream, sugar. These are the guilty pleasures, I don’t have enough time to go through how badass these drinks are in the cooler months but they are fantastic to try as a nightcap. Think your egg nogs, white russians, or anything that has a creamy element to it. Throw some shaved nutmeg or cinnamon on top and you’ll feel more prepared than anyone else to survive Mariah Carey Season in style. Rum, Cognac, Bourbon, or anything with some style welcome. Basic build: 2 oz spirit, 1 oz syrup, 1 oz cream and/or whole egg, optional .5 oz liqueur or sherry
Getting Started: Essential Tools for Home Bartending
It isn’t hard to get started, even if you don’t have professional bar tools yet. Hell, I used to use kitchen measurements tools and a mason jar to practice at first, although I highly recommend finding a cocktail shaker set and mixing glass to have the flexibility to dial in your measurements and technique. If you have any questions on what you might want to try for your next event feel free to email me anytime at [email protected]. It’s not hard, just play around, look at a youtube video if there’s something specific you want to try, and get to shaking things up. It’s very fun once you take some things you have at home and making something delicious out of them.