5 Essential Bartending Skills To Master For Beginners
For the mixology enthusiast who has just now set off on the journey of learning to mix drinks, there are some essential skills that ought to be mastered. These comprise a study of spirit to mixer ratios and an understanding of flavour which enables mixing different ingredients together in the right combinations to blend cocktails.
Starting to hone one’s bartending or mixology skills also means paying attention to the methods of bringing ingredients together in a suitable form. From juices to cordials to purees and infused syrups, there are multiple means of adding a particular fruit or spice into a cocktail blend. Knowing which ingredient to use in the preparation of a certain cocktail then involves becoming familiar and experimenting with these varied options available out there.
There are some handy hacks involved in learning the art of bartending.
Read on to know more about some of the essential bartending skills that beginners can master in order to learn the the ropes of mixing cocktail blends:
Practice Basic Techniques
One of the foremost tips for beginners trying to master the art of making cocktails is to start with the basics. This involves practising skills like learning how to shake a drink, mastering the art of stirring and muddling as well as straining a drink from a cocktail shaker into a serving glass.
For novices, it can be a bit tricky to get to know the difference between different techniques which comes after a lot of practice.
So, the most essential hack for bartending beginners is to keep on practising some of these basic techniques which can go a long way in helping them to become experts.
Learn About Balancing Flavours
Flavour balance is a crucial element in mixing cocktail blends. Classic cocktails such as the gin and tonic or the martini cocktail have endured through time because mixologists have been consistent in maintaining the flavour balance in these mixes.
One of the tips for novice mixologists is to learn about different tasting notes such as tangy, acidic, sour, sweet and tart and finding ways to blend these flavours to arrive at a well-balanced drink.
While mixing cocktails, a beginner can always taste the blend multiple times to adjust the flavour by adding a little more sweetness or sourness to the drink depending upon the requirement.
Perfecting The Ratios
What is perhaps one of the most critical elements in blending cocktails is mastering the science of ratios. Spirits and mixers when brought together in the perfect ratios lead to the crafting of very sophisticated mixes.
For instance, a classic cocktail ratio is the 2:1:1 blend which includes two parts alcohol to one part sweetener and one part sour or citrusy ingredients. This ratio works exceptionally well while blending cocktails like the whisky sour or a daiquiri.
When a novice is starting out with cocktail making, one of the most essential tips is to stick to the ratios in a given recipe in the preparation of a balanced mix.
Garnish Purposefully
Most times, there is a tendency among enthusiasts to use lots of aesthetic flourishes in cocktail craft for garnishing the blends. However, a useful tip for a beginner is to use garnishes purposefully so the flavour of the adornment seeps into the cocktail to build additional tasting notes in the blend.
The function of garnishes is twofold as they are used to beautify a drink while bringing out some of the more subtle flavours integral to the cocktail.
Go for herby or citrusy garnishes like rosemary sprigs or lime wedges to include clean ingredients which build the flavours and aromas in the drink.
Start With Simple Cocktails
As ever, while starting out on a new culinary journey, begin with simple yet popular recipes for mastering the techniques of mixology. Perfect the recipes for blends like the margarita, gin and tonic, moscow mule or even a traditional highball cocktail.
With this, it will be possible to try one’s hands at different blending techniques such as shaking, stirring and muddling. Procuring spirits and produce for these cocktails is also comparatively straightforward.
If flavours need to be adjusted, one can always add more ingredients to the cocktail shaker without much hassle.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
