Mixology is modern day alchemy, and it’s all about experimenting with flavors you love to create daring and original alcoholic drinks. Unleash your inner cocktail chemist, and try out these interesting little potions we dreamed up:
If you like sweet drinks, you need to master the simple syrup.
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- Infusion of your choice (herbal, citrus, spice, etc.)
Simple Syrup is a drink sweetener created by mixing equal parts of sugar with water. Because sugar will not fully dissolve in its equal part of water at room temperature, you need to heat the mixture on the stove slightly to dissolve the sugar into the water. Once the concoction is liquefied, it is ready to be flavored by adding an infusion or even fresh juice.
The Down and Dirty
- 1 oz. of bourbon
- 1 oz. of simple syrup
- Juice of one-half a lemon
- 2 oz. of ginger bear
Add a splash of fresh lemon or lime to simple syrup. Mix two parts of this syrup to 1 part of your favorite bourbon and then a dash of ginger beer to the mixture, shake well with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a skewer of lemon twist and candied ginger and you have created a masterpiece of flavor and fun that is sure to seduce the one you desire.
The Naked Cocktail
- 1 1/2 oz. of vodka infused with melon and cucumber
- 3 oz. seltzer
- Garnish with a basil sprig and cucumber round
- Serve in an old fashion glass with ice
Infuse vodka with melon and cucumber. Add two parts of seltzer with it and garnish with a basil sprig and cucumber disk. You now have an elixir that will fix her—or him.
Take your time; it’s all about having fun and transforming mundane flavors into magnificent ones. Happy Experimenting. Cheers!