The best cocktails are created with inspiring flavour combinations and creative techniques. Do you enjoy trying out new recipes? Step up your game with these tips, techniques, flavour combinations and more!

Techniques

Shake

One of the most well-known techniques is shaking your cocktail. For this technique you use a [cocktail shaker]. Add the ice cubes, ingredients and liquor of choice to your shaker and shake for approximately 10 seconds. You cocktail is done when the outside of the shaker is covered with a frosty layer. Do you want to look like a true home bartender? Try spinning your shaker when shaking it! Spin the shaker on the palm of your hand when you’re in the middle of shaking your cocktail. However, don’t forget to put down a towel in case it goes wrong the first time around.

Stir

You probably know the saying “shaken, not stirred”. But you can also make cocktails by stirring. When you have a cocktail with few ingredients this is a good technique to use: the ingredients will mix together by just stirring it. You can also use this technique if you want to preserve the silky structure of your cocktail. To stir a cocktail you’ll need a [cocktail glass and a bar spoon]. Add all of the ingredients to the glass and stir well.

Muddling

You can also choose to muddle your ingredients. To muddle you need a [muddler]. You use this technique when you want to bruise herbs or crush ice. Add the ingredients and ice cubes to the glass and muddle well. Next, you stir the mixture with a bar spoon. Voila, your cocktail is ready to serve!

Flavours: make your own syrups

You can enhance the flavours in your cocktail with a homemade syrup. And guess what, it’s not even hard to make it yourself! These are our tips:

Sugar water

Add water (100 ml) and sugar (100 g) to a saucepan and heat until all the sugar is melted. Keep stirring while the mixture is heating up and make sure you don’t bring it to a boil!

Cinnamon syrup

Add water (100 ml), sugar (100g) and a cinnamon stick to a saucepan and heat until the sugar is melted and the cinnamon stick has gone soft. Keep stirring while the mixture is heating up and make sure you don’t bring it to a boil. Add more cinnamon to taste.

Vanilla syrup

Add water (100 ml), sugar (100 g) and 5 drops of vanilla essence to a saucepan and heat until the sugar is melted. Keep stirring while the mixture is heating up and make sure you don’t bring it to a boil. Add more vanilla to taste.

Garnish your cocktail

How you present your cocktail is almost as important as how it tastes. The nicer it looks, the more professional it looks as well. Create a cocktail with a fantastic look with these easy tips!

Salt or sugar rim

With a salt or sugar rim, your cocktail will looks festive within seconds! Take a slice of lime or lemon and rub it on the rim of your cocktail glass. Then dip the rim in a layer salt or sugar. Voila, your cocktail is garnished!

Dried fruits

A very nice addition to the look of your cocktail are dried fruits. It adds extra flavour, and definitely adds more flair. You can choose between dried slices of orange, lemon or lime. For an extra special cocktail you can also use dried apple, kiwi, cucumber or mango. Add them to your cocktail to taste or use as garnishment on the rim of your glass.

Are you looking for more inspiration? Then read our other blogs!