by Have you ever been captivated by the artistry and precision of a skilled bartender, crafting a delicious and visually stunning cocktail? Or maybe you simply enjoy experimenting with new flavors and surprising your taste buds. If so, then diving into the world of drink mixing as a hobby might be the perfect adventure for you!
Though drink mixing is primarily thought of as an alcoholic endeavor, it’s also great for you teetotalers out there. There are many fancy and tasty drinks that can be prepared without alcohol, and when it comes to hobbies this is one of the best for socializing and self-indulgence.
How to get started?
Drinks are incredibly diverse, so it’s probably best to start with some basic research so you can hone in on what most interests you. Think about your particular goals with the hobby. Is it purely about self-indulgence? Do you want to make yourself a special treat to help you relax (maybe in a nice bubble bath) and enjoy your “me time”? Or are you looking to prepare drinks for family and friends, to take your social gatherings to the next level and give your guests unforgettable experiences?
You can even do both!
Research and Select Recipes
Sure you can dive in throwing together ingredients willy nilly in hopes of coming up with something unique and spectacular, but for beginner’s it’s probably best to start with some basic drink recipes. Fortunately there are tons of recipe websites online (particularly because recipes can’t be copyrighted) where you can browse for whatever tantalizes your tastebuds.
The recipes will also give you a sense of the commitment and effort level you’ll be expecting. While mixing drinks doesn’t require a degree from culinary school, it certainly helps if you have some familiarity with cooking. Some basic principles of food preparation will apply, especially if you’re making drinks for other people. You’re going to want to keep things hygienic after all. Check over the recipe for specific equipment and tools you might need, as those could be roadblocks to preparation. And be sure to note techniques you might not be ready for or aren’t interested in. As nice as a slice of lime is, if you’re not ready to keep fresh fruit on hand and take the time to prepare it, then those recipes aren’t for you.
Gather Your Essentials
From combing through recipes, you’ll be able to have a decent idea of what sort of equipment and utensils you’ll be needing. For some drinks it really might be as simple as having a cup to drink out of, but more complicated drinks will require more complicated equipment. Your kitchen space and budget could be limiting factors here, so be strategic about where you begin, especially if you’re not sure if this is the hobby for you.
You don’t need a full-blown bar to get started. Invest in a few key tools like a jigger for accurate measurement, a shaker for chilling and combining ingredients, a bar spoon for stirring, and a strainer to separate your drink from unwanted ice or food particles.
Next look at appliances and equipment you might need. A blender is a vital piece of equipment, especially if you’re interested in working with fresh fruits for smoothies.
If you’ve got a freezer that makes ice, then you can probably make do with that, or you can pick up a countertop icemaker for under $100. Ice is typically a very important ingredient in a lot of drinks, and you can certainly get more extravagant with your ice options such as cubed vs crushed, or getting special ice molds to give drinks you make a unique flare. A simple sphere ice mold can do wonders.
There are a lot of other appliances you might find useful, but if you’re just starting out, keep it simple. For most drinks, a simple cocktail shaker and access to ice will get the job done.
Stock Your Bar with Ingredients
You don’t have to have an actual bar of course, but you will need ingredients and somewhere to store them. Many ingredients will need to be refrigerated and some will need to be frozen. So plan accordingly. If you’re just whipping up something for yourself at home, then you probably won’t care too much about the layout of your workspace. If you’re entertaining for guests, though, you’ll want some degree of efficiency in your setup to streamline the drink-making process so everyone can get their drink expediently.
For alcohol, start with a few versatile base spirits like vodka, gin, tequila and rum. Explore different brands and varieties to discover the subtle differences in their flavors. Specific brands are really important when entertaining because everyone has their favorite, and you’ll score a lot of points if you happen to have the right one in stock.
Don’t forget fresh fruits, high-quality juices, and essentials like flavored syrups, bitters and soda water.
For non-alcoholic drinks, you can keep soda on hand or use tea or milk as bases to build from. Milk tea, bubble tea in particular, has been growing in popularity in the US, so that’s an excellent choice for people not looking to consume alcohol.
Master the Classics
Before venturing into complex creations, familiarize yourself with the “six basic cocktails”: the Old Fashioned, the Daiquiri, the Margarita, the Martini, the Negroni and the Mojito. These classics provide a foundation for understanding flavor profiles and building your own variations.
Even if you’re not particularly interested in all of them yourself, it will give you a better understanding of drink mixing and the processes that go into different types of drinks.
Non-alcoholic drinks have classics too, such as the famous Arnold Palmer (iced tea and lemonade). Knowing how to prepare a classic milk tea or a simple fruit smoothie are great starting points for non-alcoholic drink making.
Embrace Freshness
Freshness is key to an exceptional drink. Whenever possible, use freshly squeezed juices, ripe fruits, and high-quality ingredients. This will elevate the taste and aroma of your creations, making a noticeable difference.
Of course it’s not always easy to get everything fresh and to keep it. You’ll likely find yourself relying on syrups or purees at times, and that’s okay. Try to go fresh when you can, and with practice you’ll figure out where freshness gives you the most bang for your buck too.
Experiment with Flavors
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Once you’ve mastered the classics, use your newfound knowledge as a springboard to explore new flavor combinations. Many online resources and recipe books offer inspiration and guidance. Find something you like and tweak it to make it better.
At the end of the day, taste is subjective. So if you’re preparing something for yourself, do it how you like it! If you don’t want it to be so sweet, pull back on the sugar. If you need more of a kick, you can go heavier on the alcohol. When you experiment, not only do you figure out combinations that work better for you but it will give you a good idea of what effects even slight adjustments have which means you’ll be better prepared to meet custom requests or cater to someone else’s tastes.
Practice, Practice, Practice
As with any skill, the more you practice, the better you’ll become. Invite friends over for a cocktail night, host themed gatherings, or simply whip up a drink for yourself after a long day. The first few times you make a drink, it might take a while and you might mess things up and you might even make a mess, but it’ll get easier as you do it.
So don’t give up if it feels a bit awkward or even too hard at first. Give it a few more tries to see if it starts coming together for you. You’ll be happy you did because you won’t find many tastier hobbies!
Keep in Mind:
- Safety first: Always drink responsibly and be mindful of your alcohol intake (as well as of those you serve).
- Quality over quantity: Invest in good ingredients and avoid cutting corners.
- Start Simple: You can always expand and explore more later.
- Have fun! This hobby is about exploration, creativity and enjoying the process.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your shaker, gather your essential ingredients, and get mixing! The world of drink mixing is an exciting and rewarding journey waiting to be explored. Cheers to your new hobby!
