Flavour Friends: 5 Spirit And Ingredient Duos That Make The Best Cocktail Companions
Some flavour pairings are just a friendship cast in stone. Spirit and ingredient duos like gin and cucumber or whisky and honey, simply bring out the best in each other. This has got much to do with the complementarity of the duo’s tasting notes that balance out each of their distinct flavour compositions. Bringing together these spirit and ingredient pairings on Friendship Day can be a recipe for blending cocktails immersed in their companionate partnership.
As you go about planning a party for this special occasion, consider some of these timeless duos which have worked together in several cocktail mixes as a result of their excellent flavour chemistry. Bringing out the most admirable qualities in each other, these duets are interesting alternatives for blending both classic blends, and the slightly more nuanced and inventive mixes trending in contemporary mixology.
Read on below to know more about such spirit and ingredient duos which would make the best cocktail companions for your Friendship Day blends:
Gin And Cucumber
A classic pairing which is known for bringing forth herbaceous ingredients interspersed with savoury, crisp flavours, gin and cucumber can be combined for making several light, fresh cocktail blends. This friendship holds true amidst other ingredient additions too – such that 30 ml Tanqueray No. 10 Gin or any other premium gin of choice can be blended with cucumber slices or juice while making classic gin and tonics, or masala G&Ts with a desi twist, and spa-style, clean and cool peppery cucumber gimlets.
Whisky And Honey
A friendship that has stood the test of time and is known for its combination of contrasting profiles, whisky and honey is a pairing perfect for blending monsoon-ready cocktails at an evening time gathering. The floral sweetness of honey rounds out the oaky, spicy and smoky notes in several smooth whisky cocktails made using the likes of 30 ml Johnnie Walker Black Label or any other premium whisky of choice. A dash of wild flower honey and some saffron syrup added to whisky cocktails can introduce a richer touch into these blends prepared exclusively for Friendship Day gatherings.
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Rum And Coffee
Brimming with the Caribbean, tropical flavour components, rum and coffee share roots in similar cultures. Theirs is a deep friendship too, characterised by their complementary robust, tart yet slightly sweet flavours. There is a growing preference for aromatic espressos in cocktail craft, and this pairing comes through in blends such as a Caribbean Espresso Martini cocktail featuring about 30 ml Captain Morgan Dark Rum or any other premium rum of choice. The rich, caramelised and earthy elements in dark rum simply blend into the roasted, tart and complex flavours of good quality coffee.
Tequila And Grapefruit
Complete with a citrusy touch and a fruity accent, 30 ml of Don Julio Blanco Tequila or any other premium tequila of choice can be paired with about 45 ml grapefruit juice or grapefruit soda in an iconic pairing of acidic and tart flavours. Many cocktails including the classic paloma can be crafted because of this friendship, in which the grapefruit’s bitter-sour notes highlight tequila’s grassy brightness. Introduce more zest into this duo with the addition of a pinch of flavourful chaat masala.
Vodka And Ginger
With the spiciness of ginger shining through as a result of the clear taste of vodka, the two result in the creation of smooth, fizzy drinks like the moscow mule, known for its zingy flavour. Bring together 30 ml Smirnoff Ultra Premium Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice with 60 ml Black And White Ginger Ale or any other ginger ale of choice to craft drinks featuring this great camaraderie. Garnish these Friendship Day cocktails with complimentary ingredients like candied ginger or lemon wedges to accentuate this coupling with more flavour.
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