Here’s A 6-Step Beginner’s Guide To Different Mixology Techniques
Mixology is the art of mixing cocktails and mocktails to make flavourful and well-balanced blends which stand the test of time. Classic cocktails like a simple highball, a well made gin and tonic or even a whisky sour have become popular because mixologists have worked through decades at perfecting the ingredient and flavour ratios in these blends.
And when a bartending or mixology enthusiast is kickstarting this journey of mixing drinks, there are a couple of blending techniques they ought to dabble with to bring about such balanced drinks.
Read on below for a glimpse into different mixology techniques that can be mastered by beginners who are honing their bartending craft:
Shaking
One of the most common techniques employed by mixologists to build cocktails and mocktails is shaking. Different ingredients in a mix are brought together in a cocktail shaker and are shaken for at least 15 to 30 seconds before pouring them into a serving glass.
This technique is used more often than not for mixing ingredients like citrus juices and egg whites which might be hard to bring together with spirits and other mixers by simply stirring them in. Ice can also be added to the cocktail shaker for giving the drink a layer of froth.
Mastering shaking means learning to blend cocktail ingredients uniformly without using additional apparatus.
Stirring
Another important technique involved in mastering mixology craft is stirring. Ingredients in cocktails such as manhattans, martini cocktails or negronis can be brought together and stirred using a steel or copper stirrer to blend them together.
A bar spoon can also be used to stir cocktail ingredients. Stirring is a technique used to mix and chill cocktails and to lend them a silky, smooth texture.
Hold the stirrer loosely inside the container or bowl and gently stir for about 15 to 20 seconds until all the elements of the drink come together.
Muddling
One more interesting technique that is a part of mixology is muddling. Generally this method is used to release aromas and potent flavours of herbs and citruses into cocktails like the mojito or the margarita.
Muddling denotes adding ingredients like mint, berries or citrus wedges to a cocktail container and using a muddler to press gently on them until they release their oils and juices.
This technique can often be combined with the stirring method such that once the essential ingredients are muddled, spirits and mixers can be added to the container and the drink can be stirred well before straining and serving.
Building
Sometimes, bringing cocktails together requires adding one ingredient on top of the other, directly in the serving glass without stirring or shaking the mix. This technique is often used in making highball cocktails or while crafting a gin and tonic.
Learning how to build ingredients is critical for mixology enthusiasts because it requires one to construct a cocktail with accurate ratios directly in the serving glass.
The technique is good practice for anyone who is attempting to perfect precise ingredient measures while mixing cocktails.
Layering
Adornments and aesthetics are a crucial element of mixology craft. One of the methods for mixing drinks that plays a role in creating visually attractive drinks is layering. This technique means enabling one liquid to float over another based on their densities.
Such a process is useful for bringing together drinks like a tequila sunrise which are complete with a lot of different colourful notes layered on top of one another.
Layering can be done by pouring a heavy ingredient like grenadine syrup into a glass and holding a spoon close to its surface atop which a lighter juice is added as the next layer.
Blending
One of the more interesting techniques involved in mixing cocktails that have a creamier texture is blending. This combines all ingredients into a smooth, frothy and thick mix which comes in handy particularly while making frozen drinks. This technique involves bringing different ingredients together with lots of ice and blending them until they acquire a slushie or milkshake-like consistency.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
