Throwing a house party for friends? Want to impress without hiring a professional bartender? Good news! You can be your own mixologist with just a few simple hacks. Mixing great drinks doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few clever tricks and some basic tools, you’ll be shaking and stirring like a pro in no time. We have sorted out a few easy hacks for you to make that perfect drink for your pals.
Pre-batch your drinks
Save yourself some time and energy by pre-mixing large batches of your cocktails in pitchers or dispensers. It not only makes serving easy but keeps guests from crowding the kitchen or bar area. Just add ice to glasses, not the pitcher to avoid dilution.
Keep it fresh and punchy
Always keep in mind to use fresh ingredients like fresh herbs, spices, fruits and pressed juices. It will not only taste better but they are better for your health too. Like, if you use apple cider in your Southern Apple Pie Sangria, it will make a huge difference.
Brainstorm like a chef
Mixologists are no less than chefs in today’s time. They are upfront at any restaurant or bar if you enter the space. They create their own shrubs, syrups, juices, bitters and garnishes. Although some of these require a bit more time and skill, most are not difficult to make and there are some quality brands you can buy ready-made. So, try to add a hint of creativity to elevate your drink as it will earn you more praise.
Use garnishes to elevate your drink
Presentation is everything in any situation. Even a basic drink can look top-shelf with a good garnish. Stock up on citrus slices, fresh herbs (like mint or rosemary), and even edible flowers. A well-placed orange peel or sugared rim adds instant wow factor for your drink to look great.
Get creative with ice
Nobody likes to see the same boring, simple ice in their drink. Jazz it up a bit and add large cube moulds or spheres to make drinks look fancier and stay colder longer. You can even freeze fruit or herbs into the ice cubes for an Instagram-worthy effect.
Master a few easy cocktails
Instead of trying to learn everything at once, try to master 3-4 drinks which is loved by your group mostly. Margaritas, mojitos, or whiskey sours work really well among groups. These are simple to prep, and you can tweak them with fun flavors (think jalapeño margaritas or berry mojitos) to make them feel fancy.