Cocktails... whats all the fuss about?

[plastic-ninja]

Well , this thread got me thinking in a kind of semi serious way.

I like learning cooking processes and methods so why can't I apply that to liquids and alcohol?

So , One decent Cocktails set maker is now winging its way to me and its going to be a process of learning how to make one Cocktail a month whilst perfecting the method.

At pole position No.1 is Whisky/Rum Sours which I can neck at alarming rate - looking to recoup all those fancy-dancy £10 drinks from over the years!!

Good idea.
For sours, the sticking point for me is the egg whites. Unless they are really fresh they smell quite strong & can spoil the drink. Also leaves you with lots of yolks & no whites. ( ok if you make lots of chocolate mousse or brownies ) There’s a very good egg white replacer made by Ms. Betters Bitters called “miraculous foamer” which I suspect is methyl cellulose & xanthan gum but works very well in drinks. The foam is untainted & lasts for ages. Much more effective than real egg.
Go Shake!

 

[plastic-ninja]

Exactly - which is why I'm timeframing it on one new one a month so I can buy some quality without skimping or feeling the pinch.

Like most things the pleasure is in the journey and remembering to enjoy grind rather than the end event.

I'd rather build up a quality drinks cabinet over time and nail the process if ten or so common Cocktails.

That’s a great approach. Will save you a fortune & avoid random liqueurs at the back of the cupboard!
Never skimp on Vermouth is best advice I ever had. Martini as absolute lowest acceptable quality.

 

[EdS]

May I suggest

Cocktails with Ciara O Doherty​

Make some major ingredient errors in some of those videos

 

[TeeDee]

Make some major ingredient errors in some of those videos

Face it..


You're just a Back seat ( screw )driver.

 

[TeeDee]

That’s a great approach. Will save you a fortune & avoid random liqueurs at the back of the cupboard!
Never skimp on Vermouth is best advice I ever had. Martini as absolute lowest acceptable quality.

Do you have a suggested list of entry level ( yet quality ) basic 'staples' for a cocktail journey?

As an example there are a lot of Whisky's and a lot or Whiskies - I'm sure some do a better more specific job than others but is there a suitable - goto Brand that does a good intermediary step of filling multiple recipes?

Same question ref Absinthe

etc etc


Cheers! ( Ironically Pun intended. )

 

[Scottieoutdoors]

@

Do you have a suggested list of entry level ( yet quality ) basic 'staples' for a cocktail journey?

As an example there are a lot of Whisky's and a lot or Whiskies - I'm sure some do a better more specific job than others but is there a suitable - goto Brand that does a good intermediary step of filling multiple recipes?

Same question ref Absinthe

etc etc


Cheers! ( Ironically Pun intended. )

@TeeDee
There is a distillery in Penzance which we get some stuff off called "pocketful of stones", they do an absinthe...yet to try it though

 

[TeeDee]

@

@TeeDee
There is a distillery in Penzance which we get some stuff off called "pocketful of stones", they do an absinthe...yet to try it though

I'm up for a Freebie bottle!

 

[Erbswurst]

I always have a couple of field bottles at my belt where I put in the ingredients for different cocktails in the morning.

While I am hiking they get mixed very well and I drink one after the other during the day.

Especially after a hot summer day that was spend like this I fall asleep very well, even without any camping equipment and on every kind of ground. Even a Thunderstorm with heavy rain doesn't wake me up.

That really can be highly recommended and is far better than the average bottle of Vodka or Whisky during the day.

 

[Scottieoutdoors]

I always have a couple of field bottles at my belt where I put in the ingredients for different cocktails in the morning.

While I am hiking they get mixed very well and I drink one after the other during the day.

Especially after a hot summer day that was spend like this I fall asleep very well, even without any camping equipment and on every kind of ground. Even a Thunderstorm with heavy rain doesn't wake me up.

That really can be highly recommended and is far better than the average bottle of Vodka or Whisky during the day.

We have a few folk round my city which tend to use alcohol to the same effect...its normally a 2litre bottle of hideous cider or lager, but either way, it aids their ability to fall asleep on any kind of ground...

 

[TLM]

What have people used for emulsifier, I am not very fond of polypropylen glycol that is used commercially in many drinks (<3%).

Also has anyone found a way to break alcohol blobs in clear spirits. (There is a theory that the sharp taste in many strong spirits depends on ethanol not being totally blended but there are very high % blobs in the drink that causes the sharpnes.

 

[Scottieoutdoors]

What have people used for emulsifier, I am not very fond of polypropylen glycol that is used commercially in many drinks (<3%).

Also has anyone found a way to break alcohol blobs in clear spirits. (There is a theory that the sharp taste in many strong spirits depends on ethanol not being totally blended but there are very high % blobs in the drink that causes the sharpnes.

Shake the bottle? *shrugging*

 

[TeeDee]

So this arrived today.

Just need to get the boozy stuff together.
Slowly-Slowly , Catchy-Monkey.

< Should be a name of a Cocktail! >

 

[plastic-ninja]

Do you have a suggested list of entry level ( yet quality ) basic 'staples' for a cocktail journey?

As an example there are a lot of Whisky's and a lot or Whiskies - I'm sure some do a better more specific job than others but is there a suitable - goto Brand that does a good intermediary step of filling multiple recipes?

Same question ref Absinthe

etc etc


Cheers! ( Ironically Pun intended. )

Good basics. You’ll need
Vodka. Absolut or Stoli.
Gin. Gordon’s or Tanqueray.
Rum. Dark. OVD or Woods.
Rum. White. Bacardi or Brugal.
Rum. Golden. Mount Gay.
Scotch blended. J.Walker Red or Monkey Shoulder.
Scotch S.Malt. Glenlivet/Laphroaig.
American Bourbon. Makers Mark/Bulleit/JD
Rye Whiskey. Bulleitt
Triple Sec. Bols
Maraschino. Luxardo
Chocolate. Mozart.
Coffee. Kahlua or Tia Maria
Vermouth. Martini red & extra dry or Lustau red/white or Belsazar red/white.
Bitters go to Bob’s Bitters online & get whatever you fancy. They are all tip top.
That should get you started. Buy good mixers like fevertree or franklins. Real Coca Cola not the unleaded. Old Jamaica ginger beer. Buy old wine glasses from charity shops instead of posh cocktail glasses. Nearly all the old school ones were originally made in wine glasses.
Cheers.

 

[plastic-ninja]

@

@TeeDee
There is a distillery in Penzance which we get some stuff off called "pocketful of stones", they do an absinthe...yet to try it though

Is this Tarquin’s? The guy that does the Cornish Pastis?

 

[Scottieoutdoors]

Is this Tarquin’s? The guy that does the Cornish Pastis?

Nope, Pocketful of Stones is the name of the company/distillery. Tarquins is quite big now by all accounts, they do a lot of Gins.

 

[plastic-ninja]

Nope, Pocketful of Stones is the name of the company/distillery. Tarquins is quite big now by all accounts, they do a lot of Gins.

I’ve seen their squid gin around and about even up here in the Lakes. Nice packaging.

 

[plastic-ninja]

So this arrived today.

Just need to get the boozy stuff together.
Slowly-Slowly , Catchy-Monkey.

< Should be a name of a Cocktail! >



View attachment 75202

Looks like you just need a nice mixing glass, a julep strainer and a fine sieve and you’re ready to go.

 

[Scottieoutdoors]

I’ve seen their squid gin around and about even up here in the Lakes. Nice packaging.

The cans are beautiful! Interestingly we've seen the original prototype and it was the same sized can but just an old/faded red paint look to it, fantastic oil can concept!
They thought about a few other finishes but then went with the copper in the end, it's amazing.

 

[Herman30]

Had a Tom Collins earlier this summer when it was hot outside. Boy was it refreshing with that tangy lemon/gin taste and glass full of ice.

 

[TeeDee]

Currently trying to master Ice - specifically clear Ice.