Category: Liquor

Creating a Signature Drink

If you are looking for a creative way to control costs and personalize an event, creating a signature drink or two is the way to go!  But where do you start? Here are some tips to help you create the drink that reflects your style.

1. What is your go-to drink order?  What are the flavors and/or drinks that you order when you go out? What flavors do you like?  Not like? Which category does your favorite drink fall into: strong/sour/sweet/low alcohol content? Your favorite drink or flavor profile is a great starting point in developing your signature cocktail.  If you are looking to save money, a low alcohol content drink, such as a sparkling wine or spritzer, is a good option.

2. Stick with a universally-appealing spirit, like vodka.  You can utilize trendy flavors or garnishes to really personalize the drink.  Teas and bitters are always a great way to incorporate a different and very personal taste.  Or consider garnishing your drink with herbs, such as sage or rosemary. 

3. Think about the theme of the event.  Always try to choose a cocktail that will pair well with the food being served.  You can personalize it even more by serving it in a creative glass that mirrors the casualness of the event.  Don’t try to hard to make the color of the drink match the colors of the event – you can pick up the colors of your event with glasses or garnish.

4. For weddings – consider having two signature cocktails.  Choose one that mirrors the bride’s taste and one that is the groom’s choice. 

5. How much to serve? In general, men consume twice the amount of food and alcohol that women do.  If you’re on a strict budget, consider drinks that are low-alcohol and can be mixed in large batches.  This can also help with wait time and demand on the bartender. 

6. Have fun!  Try a few different drink/glass/garnishment options ahead of time!  And think of a fun name for your signature cocktail!

The Beginner’s Guide to Liquor

The world of liquor can be extremely confusing for novices. If you’ve ever felt confused about the different types of liquor, you’re not alone. Between determining the difference between whiskey and whisky and learning that scotch and bourbon are not the same, there is a lot to learn about liquor. This guide will thoroughly walk you through the many different types of alcohol, shed light on popular ways to drink them and inform you on the background of the various kinds of liquor.

Bourbon

This American whiskey variety is typically made from corn and barrel aged for a distinctive smoky, earthy flavor. Standards dictate that bourbon is at least 51 percent corn, aged in charred oak barrels for no less than two years and manufactured in the United States.

Popular ways to drink bourbon include:

Neat (alone), with water, on the rocks (with ice) or in a mixed cocktail, such as a Manhattan or Old-Fashioned.

Brandy and Cognac

What’s the difference you ask? Cognac is from the Cognac region of France, whereas brandy can be made anywhere in the world. Regardless of the origin, these fermented fruit juices are often made from grapes, but today, you’ll find an assortment of other fruit bases such as apples, pears, peaches, oranges and other sweet fruits.

Popular ways to drink brandy include:

Neat – you can also heat the Brandy over an open flame to enhance its flavor, or in a cocktail, such as a Metropolitan, Sidecar or a Champagne Cocktail.

Gin

This grain-based alcohol has been around for more than 400 years and receives its predominant flavor from juniper berries. It was the most popular spirit made during Prohibition and is one of the broadest categories of spirits.  Gin is a natural for cocktails with a wide range of ingredients and many new gins are hitting the market capitalizing on popular flavor profiles.

Popular ways to drink gin include:

Neat or on the rocks. Perhaps the most popular mixed drink – gin and tonic, Tom Collins or a Gin Sling.

Rum

Rum comes in a wide range of light, gold, spiced and dark profiles. The lighter rums (white, blanco or silver) are milder in flavor, while the darker varieties have been distilled for longer periods of time and have caramel or molasses undertones. Spiced rums continue to grow in popularity thanks to infusions of cinnamon, anise, rosemary, nutmeg, cherries and almonds, among others.

Popular ways to drink rum include:

Dark rum is preferred over light for serving neat.  Dark rum is usually paired with soda and ice.  Light rum is preferred for cocktails such as a daiquiri or mojito.

Scotch

Made from malt or grain this whisky is not only spelled differently than American whiskey, it has a distinctive smoky flavor. Single malt or blended varieties are available – single malt scotch is made with just water and 100% barley and is made from 2 or more single-malt whiskies produced at different distilleries.

Popular ways to drink scotch include:

Neat or with water

Tequila

Tequila is made from blue agave and in Mexico.  There are five types of tequila: silver, gold, reposado, anejo and extra anejo. 

Popular ways to drink tequila:

Shot, margarita, tequila sunrise or a bloody mary.

Vodka

Vodka is a clear distilled beverage comprised mostly of water and ethanol.  Most vodka originates from Poland or Russia and it’s the most popular spirit in the United States for its versatility. 

Popular ways to drink vodka include:

Neat or chilled in the freezer, vodka tonic, screwdriver and vodka-based shots, such as a Lemon Drop.

A Party on Wheels – the bar cart!

The bar cart has had a resurgence of popularity over the last several years and the trend is not going away!  It’s not only stylish but can be a great option for decorating and entertaining on a budget – or with limited space.  A bar cart is portable and can be moved closer to the party or pushed to the side to create more room for guests. 

The Cart

The most important piece of advice in choosing a cart is to consider the space.  How much space will you have for the bar cart?  Next, decide if you would like the cart to blend in with your other furniture or serve as a conversation piece and pop! 

You can transform an existing piece of furniture, such as a TV cart, office cart, or even a shelf.  If you’re handy, a fresh coat of paint and castors will go a long way in creating a nice piece.  If you would rather purchase a cart, there are plenty of options out there for any budget. 

Once you physically have the cart, what do you need to turn it into a bar cart?  Below are some suggestions for a beginner cart.  You can think about how often you will utilize the cart and what types of drinks you will serve regularly and build out from there.

Tools

  • Boston shaker
  • Strainer
  • Mixing Glass
  • Spoon (long spoon for stirring)
  • Jigger
  • Y peeler (for garnish)
  • Corkscrew
  • Glasses
  • Bar towel

Alcohol (suggestions for a well-rounded cart)

  • Scotch
  • Bourbon
  • Gin
  • Vodka
  • Tequila
  • Rum
  • Wine

Miscellaneous

  • Tonic
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Bitters

Don’t overload your bar cart – it needs to be functional and elegant.  Decide how to organize the items on the cart in a way that works for your needs.  You might consider grouping similar items together – for example, if you have a three-shelf bar cart, place tools on the top shelf, garnish and glasses on the second shelf and alcohol on the bottom shelf.  You can also use baskets to corral glasses or tools and a bowl or vase to hold lemons and limes. 

Don’t be afraid to personalize your bar cart with some decorative items that help tie it into the space around it.  Next – invite some friends over and show off your new space!