Cocktails for beginners

If you are a home cocktail enthusiast or a bar owner, then here are a few cocktail party must-haves for your shindig:

Glassware and ice

If you thought l would begin with the booze, you are wrong. Indeed these are some of the most overlooked items. Ice is an ingredient that features in more than 75% of all cocktails. It is essential that you have enough to ensure good results in terms of drinks quality. From temperatures to dilution – if you don’t have enough then you will not achieve. Glassware – its capacity being the key factor is also not a compromise. Get the right glass for iced up drinks and also remember that some e.g. the martini ones are for straight-up cocktails (no ice). Capacity matters.

Freshness

If you can make it fresh then don’t look for it in a can or a tube. I get texts on all these premixes and my answer has always been a big no. There is a tab of fresh strawberries in the supermarket so get that instead of bottled strawberry syrup. It’s your choice though but fresh always tastes best. Don’t compromise especially on your citrus fruits like lemons and limes. If it’s not in its best state as it goes into the shaker then don’t expect it to taste right in your glass.

Mixers

An understanding of this is crucial. From flavours to ratios and even how to combine them to produce your own unique mixers. These will always be the first line of stuff that complements spirits. So take your time and ask yourself why soda water or lemonade and not tonic water. Juices are also part of this category.

Bitters, vermouth and liqueurs

Angostura, triple sec and bianco/rosso.. at least these three will tell me that a Pro Bartender is ready to modify spirits to the next level. These three categories of alcoholic beverage will always feature in a ‘full bar’ for me. Exceptional flavours and modification capabilities lie here in and as the year goes by I will tell you a bit more about how to use them.

Meanwhile, you can try out my household favourite. 

The Diplomats Tanqueray No.ten on the rocks

1. 45 ml Tanqueray no. Ten

2. 15 ml Homemade grapefruit and plum liqueur

3. 6 dashes peach bitters

4. Fresh grapefruit zest

I measure all ingredients in a rocks glass add ice and stir to achieve dilution. Zest with grapefruit peel.

The writer is a seven-time award-winning bartender accomplished hotelier currently working as a brand ambassador, educator for the luxury Diageo with East African Breweries Limited, EABL