4 ms·

any tips on creating cocktail recipes, or good cocktails to make at a party? I want to learn to make fun cocktails now that the standard starting price of a coc

any tips on creating cocktail recipes, or good cocktails to make at a party? I want to learn to make fun cocktails now that the standard starting price of a cocktail in the DC area is $12-15 (way too expensive for my taste) but don't know how to start. Buying liquor is easy because it can be used in different cocktails, but I want to avoid spending a lot for some ingredient that only works in a single recipe

munificent 4y ago
To learn, I'd suggest: 1. Buy a cocktail book. I got one ages ago, so I'm not sure what I'd recommend today. 2. Pick one cocktail that you like and get the ingredients for it. Master it. 3. Slowly branch out to nearby cocktails that only vary by an ingredient or two. 4. Keep exploring that way. Like other culinary stuff, cocktails tend to be organized into a large web of related drinks. So once you pick a starting point, you can just incrementally explore the graph without having to buy a pile of ingredients. Eventually you will amass a pile of ingredients. But, fortunately, most last a very long time. As far as a party goes, it depends a lot on your guests. In particular, their age. Cocktails go through fashion cycles like everything else and younger guests are more dialed in to those so will probably prefer whatever cocktails are big right now. I'm too old to know what that is but I know mules got super popular for a while. Older guests will generally have a standby or two that they know they like. If you just want to ensure everyone has a good time, I'd get sufficient beer and wine and then pick a popular cocktail or two. Anyone who doesn't like those particular cocktails can simply default to beer or wine. If you want to have a "cocktail party" where everyone is encouraged to focus on those, then good coverage would be: 1. Something sweet and fruity for those who don't like a strong liquor taste. Cosmopolitans are good for this. Tropical drinks like mai tais can be good too, though rum might be too strong for some. 2. Something long for people who want a lighter, larger drink. "Long" means mixed with a carbonated beverage. This could be as simple as a Jack and coke or fancier like a Tom Collins. Gin and tonics are great. 3. Something whiskey-based. People who like whiskey really like whiskey. Old fashioneds work well or manhattans if you're a little more adventurous. Talking to bartenders when you're at a bar is always great way to learn more. Just try not to bug them if they're clearly busy attending to patrons.
- silicon2401 4y ago
  Your steps make sense so I'll give that a try. > once you pick a starting point, you can just incrementally explore the graph without having to buy a pile of ingredients. That's exactly what I was picturing so thanks for the tips. Especially your intro steps and the coverage points. I specifically want to be able to make cocktails for friends at regular hangouts or as a fun activity at get-togethers/parties, so having good coverage is an especially important goal for me. I feel motivated to give it a shot now; I think I'll try Death & Co since a past coworker got into that, or just look around and see what's popular these days. One more follow-up question, after getting some experience with cocktails, have you been able to replicate cocktails you try at bars? That's another skill I'd enjoy having because I really enjoy most craft cocktails at bars, but I draw complete blanks when I try making my own recipes at home (unsurprising since I haven't really gotten into the craft), so I'd love to be able to replicate ones I try
  - bcbrown 4y ago
    It hasn't been updated in a while, but www.drinkboy.com is a nice site for learning cocktail recipes. The author also has a series of videos demonstrating how to mix various cocktails on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL87FA3F25BCD5B827 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL87FA3F25BCD5B827
  - munificent 4y ago
    I haven't been as into cocktails as I used to be (having kids and getting older curtailed it), so it's been a long time since I've tried to replicate the cocktail experience I've had at bars. I don't know if I ever tried to directly replicate cocktails that I've had in bars. I mostly just focused on picking recipes and then iterating on them until I got them dialed in. It's a fun place to just explore. What I did learn, though, is that almost all of the craft cocktails I see on menus are really just variations on a few basic classic cocktails. They'll give it a fancy name and tweak a few secondary ingredients, but in general, if it's got whiskey, it's often a variation on an old fashioned or Manhattan. (City names are a clue for the latter.) If it has simple syrup and citrus, it's in the ballpark of a sour.

munificent 4y ago

To learn, I'd suggest: 1. Buy a cocktail book. I got one ages ago, so I'm not sure what I'd recommend today. 2. Pick one cocktail that you like and get the ingredients for it. Master it. 3. Slowly branch out to nearby cocktails that only vary by an ingredient or two. 4. Keep exploring that way. Like other culinary stuff, cocktails tend to be organized into a large web of related drinks. So once you pick a starting point, you can just incrementally explore the graph without having to buy a pile of ingredients. Eventually you will amass a pile of ingredients. But, fortunately, most last a very long time. As far as a party goes, it depends a lot on your guests. In particular, their age. Cocktails go through fashion cycles like everything else and younger guests are more dialed in to those so will probably prefer whatever cocktails are big right now. I'm too old to know what that is but I know mules got super popular for a while. Older guests will generally have a standby or two that they know they like. If you just want to ensure everyone has a good time, I'd get sufficient beer and wine and then pick a popular cocktail or two. Anyone who doesn't like those particular cocktails can simply default to beer or wine. If you want to have a "cocktail party" where everyone is encouraged to focus on those, then good coverage would be: 1. Something sweet and fruity for those who don't like a strong liquor taste. Cosmopolitans are good for this. Tropical drinks like mai tais can be good too, though rum might be too strong for some. 2. Something long for people who want a lighter, larger drink. "Long" means mixed with a carbonated beverage. This could be as simple as a Jack and coke or fancier like a Tom Collins. Gin and tonics are great. 3. Something whiskey-based. People who like whiskey really like whiskey. Old fashioneds work well or manhattans if you're a little more adventurous. Talking to bartenders when you're at a bar is always great way to learn more. Just try not to bug them if they're clearly busy attending to patrons.

silicon2401 4y ago
Your steps make sense so I'll give that a try. > once you pick a starting point, you can just incrementally explore the graph without having to buy a pile of ingredients. That's exactly what I was picturing so thanks for the tips. Especially your intro steps and the coverage points. I specifically want to be able to make cocktails for friends at regular hangouts or as a fun activity at get-togethers/parties, so having good coverage is an especially important goal for me. I feel motivated to give it a shot now; I think I'll try Death & Co since a past coworker got into that, or just look around and see what's popular these days. One more follow-up question, after getting some experience with cocktails, have you been able to replicate cocktails you try at bars? That's another skill I'd enjoy having because I really enjoy most craft cocktails at bars, but I draw complete blanks when I try making my own recipes at home (unsurprising since I haven't really gotten into the craft), so I'd love to be able to replicate ones I try
- bcbrown 4y ago
  It hasn't been updated in a while, but www.drinkboy.com is a nice site for learning cocktail recipes. The author also has a series of videos demonstrating how to mix various cocktails on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL87FA3F25BCD5B827 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL87FA3F25BCD5B827
- munificent 4y ago
  I haven't been as into cocktails as I used to be (having kids and getting older curtailed it), so it's been a long time since I've tried to replicate the cocktail experience I've had at bars. I don't know if I ever tried to directly replicate cocktails that I've had in bars. I mostly just focused on picking recipes and then iterating on them until I got them dialed in. It's a fun place to just explore. What I did learn, though, is that almost all of the craft cocktails I see on menus are really just variations on a few basic classic cocktails. They'll give it a fancy name and tweak a few secondary ingredients, but in general, if it's got whiskey, it's often a variation on an old fashioned or Manhattan. (City names are a clue for the latter.) If it has simple syrup and citrus, it's in the ballpark of a sour.