Herb Infused Ices And Sodas Can Be Your New Secret Ingredient For Custom Cocktails
When it comes to custom mixology, one of the ways to upgrade your classic cocktails is by infusing them with lots of fresh herbs. Ingredients like mint, basil, lemongrass and fresh thyme can build flavourful and aromatic complexity into blends, turning simple cocktails into customised mixes that cater to the preferences of your guests.
Another ingredient which lends this kind of layered complexity to cocktails is sodas or carbonated mixers – their textural nuance is what interacts with fresh herbs to release their potent flavours. And one of the more creative ways to incorporate herbs in different cocktails is in the form of flavoured ices. Blending these herb-infused ices with sodas can be an interesting alternative to elevate the flavours of several cocktails you concoct at home, lending them an elegant and layered finish.
Read on below to know more about why these herb-infused ices and sodas can then be your new secret ingredients while making custom cocktails:
The Slow Release
Think of a classic gin and tonic that is built on top of a layer of ices infused with herbs like thyme and rosemary. The earthy, slightly savoury flavours of these herbs will release themselves gradually into the cocktail as the ice melts. Not only will this dilute the mix slowly to make it more interesting, but the herbs will gradually build a potent aroma and a herbal taste into the cocktail which goes well with the flavours of gin. What’s more, when the drink is finished with 45 ml Gordon’s Tonic Water or any other premium tonic water of choice, the herbs would mingle with the sparkly mixer, softening some of their more overt tasting notes.
A Fresh, Light Effect
What the addition of about 60 ml Black And White Ginger Ale or any other premium ginger ale of choice does to a classic whisky ginger is that it builds a light, bubbly quality into the cocktail. This introduces fresh textures into drinks that enunciate the slightly spicy flavours of ginger. Adding into this effervescently light quality are herbal ices, comprising mint or lemongrass, that bring complex aromas and a sharp taste into drinks which complements the earthy notes of the ginger root present in the carbonated mixer. All of this comes together to lend the cocktail a very fresh and ultimately elegant effect.
Also Read: Hibiscus-Infused Ice: Elevating Cocktails And Mocktails With Frozen Flavour
DIY Options
While planning a party, along with serving good food and drinks, a crucial element of hosting is to make the event interactive. Flavoured ices and sodas are two ingredients which are the secret recipe to make such social gatherings more conversational. The two elements can be brought together at a DIY station where guests can choose from base spirits like rum, gin and vodka to then blend them with about 60 ml Black Dog Soda or any other premium soda of choice. The resulting cocktail can be served on herbal ices containing a mix of thyme, mint and basil among other herbs. Guests can make their own customisations using these ices, the base sodas and fresh herbs according to their preferred flavours.
Soda Infusions
Another way to bring these two ingredients together is in the form of soda infusions. Add herbs to about 30 ml Black Dog Soda or any other carbonated mixer of choice and allow their flavours to steep. Once the herby notes are adequately infused into the soda, this flavoured drink can be used to build a variety of cocktails like a thyme and tequila sparkler or a lemongrass gin and tonic, complete with fresh, zesty flavours. Build these drinks on herb infused ices for that extra herbal touch.
Aesthetic Presentation
And one of the most interesting aspects of these two ingredients coming together is the sheer aesthetic quality they bring into cocktails. Herbed ices have a very fresh, garden-inspired look. Coupled with about 45 ml Gordon’s Tonic Water or any other tonic water of choice, they acquire a glistening touch which throws off myriad green shades in a very artsy way. This can turn around the look and feel of simple cocktails entirely, making the two ingredients stand out for their simple sophistication.
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