Five Classic Cocktail Ratios Every Mixologist Should Know
Mixology, or the art of crafting drinks requires a fair bit of skill and practise as well as an understanding of flavours that enables an expert to prepare interesting pairings by experimenting with a myriad combination of ingredients. And what turns these flavour pairings into classic concoctions that remain popular through time are the ingredient ratios, or the proportion of mixers to spirits which give the drinks a balanced finish. A good cocktail is then appreciated for its taste because the ratios of the different ingredients are so perfectly adjusted that the properties of all the components can be harnessed completely to enjoy their delectable flavours.
Undoubtedly, mastering the ratios in cocktails, that is bringing together a spirit with sweet and tart flavours is one of the most important elements in mixology craft. If you like to dabble in mixing spirits and arriving at tastefully prepared concoctions that become the highlight of every party, what you need to master are these ingredient ratios that help you to balance your cocktails. And for years, some classic cocktail recipes have retained their fame because mixologists have persisted in diligently following these proportions to the letter.
If you are a mixology enthusiast eager to hone your skills, you could begin by mastering the rations of some of the classic cocktails you can find below:
Margarita
What has been referred to as The Golden Ratio in mixology, many classic cocktails like the margarita use this proportion of ingredients to arrive at a well-balanced drink containing sweet and tart notes along with the boozy kick of a quality liquor.
This ratio essentially means mixing two parts spirit with one part tart and one part sweet flavours. To prepare a margarita, you could then bring together a 60 ml pour of a Don Julio Blanco with 30 ml lime juice and 30 ml agave syrup for their tart and sweet qualities.
Remember to multiply the ratios proportionately when you are preparing a large batch.
Negroni
A delightful cocktail often enjoyed as an aperitif, negroni is fresh and light and can be consumed as a pre-dinner tipple when it is prepared with just the right hints of amaro and vermouth.
Prepare a classic negroni with equal parts of Tanqueray No. Ten Gin, sweet vermouth and campari. You might also want to add a twisted orange peel as garnish for a hint of tartness. Keeping the proportions of the three elements equal ensures that you prepare a drink which has a very subtle kick but a very potent flavour.
Martini
Perfecting one of the most popular drinks of all time, be it shaken or stirred, requires a deep understanding of how much gin and vermouth would go into making this delicious cocktail.
Make a dry martini using two parts gin for one part of dry vermouth and mix a drink that is indulgently boozy. Use a tablespoon of olive brine to give the drink more complexity or drop in three olives skewered onto a cocktail stick for that elevated tangy taste.
Sipping on a perfect martini means you can enjoy an indulgent drink which is as luxurious as it is boozy.
Gimlet
Another traditional cocktail, the gimlet has a long history that can be traced back to the 19th century. It is believed to have been crafted by sailors in the British Royal Navy and requires you to blend two parts vodka with one part lime juice and half part simple syrup.
The drink is slightly more spirit-forward and uses a lesser amount of tart and sweet flavours than several other classic cocktails. Use Ketel One Premium Distilled Vodka to make a gimlet featuring this intense, translucent spirit.
Old Fashioned
A whisky cocktail that retained its fame because many enthusiasts preferred this simple mix to some of the more complex experiments occurring in mixology, this drink blends two parts whisky or bourbon with half part simple syrup or one sugar cube and two to three angostura bitters for their citrus notes.
Garnish with an orange peel for a finely tart finish that adjusts the slightly liquor-forward quality of the cocktail.
