Here’s How To Ace Cookie Garnishes & Rims For Your Cocktails
They taste sweet, melt-in-the-mouth and crumbly, and always make for the best tea-time companions. Yes, cookies sound as sweet as they taste and the entire world loves them in all the forms and flavours they come in. But did you know that cookies can also be used to elevate cocktails and drinks? The way to do that is quite easy even if directly infusing solid cookies in liquid cocktails isn’t, and that’s through creative garnishes and rims for cocktails.
Enhancing cocktails with innovative cookie garnishes and rims adds an irresistible touch of creativity to your drink’s presentation and flavour profile. Mastering these garnishing techniques can transform your cocktails into delectable works of art, invite both the eyes and the palate. And if you are wondering just how to go about this, here’s everything you need to know about acing cookie garnishes and rims for your cocktails.
Understanding Cookie Garnishes
Cookie garnishes are essentially cookies that work as toppings, stirring sticks and sprinklers on top of cocktails. So, given the wide variety of shapes and flavours cookies come in, you can be quite creative with cookie garnishes if you just apply your imagination. From classic shortbread to chocolate chip, ginger snaps, or biscotti there is no end to the ways in which you can use up cookies as garnishes. Whatever you do, remember to tailor the choice of cookie garnish to complement the drink’s flavours—chocolate-based cookies for richer cocktails or citrusy cookies for a zesty blend.
Cookie Rims You Can Explore
Coating cocktail glass rims with cookie crumbs or crushed biscuits introduces a delightful textural contrast and flavour enhancement. The trick to managing a cookie rim is to begin by moistening the rim of the glass with ingredients like simple syrup, honey or even Bailey’s Irish Whisky Cream for that matter. All you need to do is then dip the glass rim into a plate of crushed or ground up cookies, rotating to ensure an even coating.
Wondering where and how to start with cookie garnishes and rims for your cocktails? Here are some varieties you can try out.
1. Shortbread Cookie Rim
Rich, buttery and always perfectly powdery when crumbled, shortbread cookies make an excellent choice for cocktail rims. Crush the cookies finely and rim the glass by first dipping it in or brushing it with honey. Gently dip the glass into the crushed shortbread and swirl a bit until it sticks properly. This rim pairs beautifully with creamy cocktails like a White Russian.
2. Biscotti Stirrer
Italian in origin, biscotti is usually shaped like a long, flat biscuit that can be used as a functional and flavourful stirrer for your cocktails. The crispiness of biscotti and of course its flavours complement coffee-based cocktails such as an Espresso Martini or a Tiramisu Cocktail, innovative cocktails which are also Italian origin or inspired by the nation.
3. Ginger Snap Cookie Crumbs
The fact that ginger is used to infuse flavour into cocktails is well known, and you can do the same with ginger snap cookies. Grind ginger snap cookies into fine crumbs and use them as a decorative sprinkle over whipped cream or frothy cocktails for a touch of warmth and spiciness.
4. Chocolate Chip Cookie Garnish
Love chocolate-infused cocktails? Well, a whole or half chocolate chip cookie serves as a charming garnish on the rim or when gently balanced atop the whipped cream in creamy cocktails like a Mudslide or a Chocolate Martini. You can also use chocolate chip cookie crumbs as a garnish for whisky-based cocktails to add a richness.
