Top tips for making cocktails at home!
If you love the idea of treating yourself to an ‘Insta worthy’ cocktail at home but are put off by the time and effort it takes to make them - look no further! We are here to share with you some top tips on how to master the at home, cocktail experience…so whether you want to indulge yourself in a Friday night Negroni or show off to your mates with a round of Pornstar Martini’s – we have you covered!
Let’s kick off with the basic equipment for mixing a kick-arse cocktail:
A cocktail shaker
If you don’t own a cocktail shaker, an empty jam jar will do the job!
- A jigger, to get an accurate measure.
We tend to free pour…it’s all about preference on taste, right?
- A strainer (dependant on what you are making)
Let’s be honest…a sieve will do the job!
- A stirrer
This could literally be a utensil of any kind from your kitchen!
- Fancy glassware
Now, this is the bit that does add to the experience so we would suggest treating yourself to some glassware that you love.
- Plenty of ice
This is an important one and it’s a nightmare if you go to the freezer and have run out. We recommend holding some re-usable ice cubes for emergency situations!
So, you have all the gear but still no idea. Never fear, there is more. Let’s go over the different method’s commonly used to mix up cocktails:
Building Method:
This is where you create your drink by pouring the ingredients one by one into the glass, then simply stir. If your particular drink needs ice, that would be added first before the other ingredients.
Stirring Method:
Stirring refers to the mixing of the ingredients with ice, by stirring quickly in a container with the stirrer and then straining it into the appropriate glass.
Shaking Method:
We have all seen Tom Cruise in ‘Cocktail’…this is the fun one. You mix the ingredients thoroughly with ice by shaking them in a cocktail shaker (or jam jar) then strain them into the appropriate glass.
This cocktail shaking technique is used when ingredients such as cream, egg, fruit juices, sugar syrup, etc. are used in the recipe.
Blending Method:
When combing solid foods, fruits, ice etc. you can do so in an electric blender. This is the blending method. Any drink that can be made by shaking, can be made by blending.
One to watch with this method – if the recipe says to use pureed fruit, make sure you add the ice after pureeing the fruit. If you do it the other way around, you could have put in too much ice and the drink may turn out watery!
Layering Method:
When using ingredients of different colours or flavours that require separating, the layering method works wonders! One ingredient is layered over the other by pouring it gently over the back of a spoon. For best results, use a small straight-sided glass.
Right, so now you have the gear and the idea!! Let’s share some simple recipes to get you started:
Our spin on the classic Warner’s London Dry gin and tonic is as invigorating as a countryside ramble. Finished with a splash of crisp Sauvignon Blanc, a dash of elderflower cordial and topped with tonic. Real gin has the countryside in.
Prep time: 5 mins
Garnish: Lemon peel (and fresh lemon thyme if you have some in the garden)
Ingredients:
- 50ml Warner's London Dry Gin
- 25ml Sauvignon Blanc
- 15ml Elderflower Cordial*
- 100ml Tonic Water
- *Elderflower Cordial can be swapped for sugar syrup if necessary
Method (building):
- Fill a glass (our stemmed copa glass works well) with fresh cubed ice and add all ingredients.
- Give a quick stir and garnish – easy!
Take the classic Bellini and twist it with a taste of the British countryside. The farm-born flavours in Warner's Sloe Gin, paired with a dash of apple juice and topped with English sparkling wine is perfection in a glass. Real gin has the countryside in.
Prep time: 2 mins
Garnish: Blackberry and a twist of orange peel (fancy!)
Ingredients:
- 25ml Warner's Sloe Gin
- 25ml Cloudy Apply Juice
- 75ml English Sparking Wine (can be swapped for Cava/Prosecco)
Method (layering):
- Layer Sloe Gin and apply juice into a champagne flute
- Top with English sparking wine
- Garnish and serve
There you go, that should be enough to get you on your way! You will be sat sipping on a cocktail bar-worthy drink in no time. There are plenty more recipes to practise with on our website.
Happy Mixing!!
