Grapes in Fall Cocktails: 5 Tips for Adding Juicy Flavour to Your Seasonal Drinks
Grapes are a rather versatile fruit for cocktails. This autumnal fruit provides an added layer of visual aesthetic and depth of flavour. The key to understanding the importance of grapes lies in taking a deep dive into the fruit’s variants with distinct tastes since each profile complements different liquors in separate ways.
Following are a few tips on how grapes may be used in fall cocktails that underscore the fruit’s qualities as well as functionalities.
Selecting the Appropriate Grape Variant
Each fruit variant lends a unique attribute to the fall cocktails. For example, black and red grapes are a much more popular choice owing to their vibrant colours and deep body. The green variant, on the other hand, has a much milder taste profile and subtle appearance.
Muscat grapes are generally used in sweeter wines, possibly owing to their natural sweetness. Similarly, concord grapes are especially known for their fleshy and robust body, and hence, provide a thicker texture to the cocktails they are added to. It is crucial to select the ideal variant that would essentially balance the acidic, sweet, and sour elements of the drink.
Using Fresh Grapes vs Frozen Grapes
Both fresh and frozen grapes have their specific characteristics when added to the drinks. Fresh grapes ought to be muddled and blended into the cocktails to give a fresh flavour. The muddling of fresh grapes also adds texture to the cocktail, making it denser.
Frozen grapes, on the other hand, are often used as coolants in the drink, stepping in to fill in for the ice cubes. The frozen variants of grapes have multiple purposes, they reduce the temperature of the cocktail without making it dilute, and they also bump up the visual appeal of the cocktail.
Incorporating Grape Juice in Cocktails
Fall cocktails stand to benefit considerably from the addition of freshly squeezed grape juice. The rich body as well as the deep colour of the juice transforms the original drink into a well-balanced and flavourful drink.
The natural sugars in the fruit create a smoother finish for the drink. However, the amount of grape juice that goes into the drinks needs to be carefully supervised to avoid any sort of overpowering (grapes have a very strong taste) of other cocktail elements, mixers, or garnishes.
Grape Syrup for Sweetening
Grape syrup is essentially a much more concentrated form of the juice. Vastly different from grape juice in terms of taste and texture, the syrup may be used as a natural sweetener rather than add refined sugars.
Since the syrup is highly concentrated, it needs to be added in moderation to the cocktails. Fall cocktails especially pair well with grapes since the fruit lends a viscosity to the drink and leaves a distinct aftertaste. It is important to measure the exact amount of syrup before pouring into any cocktails.
Pairing Grapes with Complementary Herbs and Spices
The grape fruit goes quite well with a plethora of spices and herbs. For instance, the pairing of rosemary and grapes is a classic one since the two elements combine to lend a significantly earthy note to the drinks they are incorporated into. Thyme is another herb that complements grapes.
Spicier options like cloves or cinnamon offer a rich contrast when blended with grapes, giving an intense flavour to the cocktail.
Drink responsibly. This communication is intended for those aged 25 and above.
