The art of mixology

Cocktails are enjoying a resurgence in popularity as expert mixologists around the world become ever more creative, giving new twists to old favourites, and inventing captivating new drinks. But you don’t have to be a professional to entertain your guests with cocktails at home. With a little knowledge, the correct ingredients and the right tools, you’ll soon be on your way to becoming a home mixologist and the perfect host.

Create your own signature drinks

Wherever you travel, it’s always fun to try out favourite local drinks. And who better to ask for inspiration than the bartender? Our talented mixologists are always delighted pass on their knowledge, so when we asked them for their top tips to inspire you to create your own signature drinks at home, they were delighted to help.

START SMALL, GROW GRADUALLY

Whether you’re a beginner or have a bit of experience in mixing cocktails, start by setting up a special space in your home to inspire you and help you to become the perfect host. Next, scour the many cocktail books and websites available to find what you need to begin your bar. Here are some of the basic ingredients, tools and techniques you’ll need to get started.

THE BASICS

Mixers and sodas: High quality tonic water, lemonade and ginger beer are essentials for any bar, as are still and sparkling water. A soda syphon makes a real difference to drinks and it will impress your guests when you serve them scotch sodas or highballs.

A refreshing Italian drink with slices of black truffle

Juices: For the best tasting sours use only freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice. A simple hand squeezer is all you need. Other basic juices include orange, cloudy apple, pineapple, and tomato which can all be bought ready-prepared. Choose the best quality ‘not from concentrate juices’, which are without added sugar.

Fruit: Remember, a cocktail is not a fruit or vegetable salad! Garnish your drinks simply and elegantly with peel or a slice of fresh fruit.

Syrup: It’s easy to make a simple syrup using a ratio of 1-1 water and granulated sugar. Boil the water and add the sugar, stirring until it dissolves. Stored in the fridge, it will last 5-7 days. Use the same method for syrups made from fresh juices like orange, lemon, and pomegranate. When you don’t have time (or you’re feeling lazy!) buy bottled syrups.

TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

Bar tools are like good kitchen implements: they’ll help you mix your drinks correctly and efficiently. Start with the key tools and build when you become more confident. These are the minimum you'll need:

· Cobbler shaker – 500ml capacity

· Mixing glass – 500ml capacity

· Hawthorne strainer

· Teardrop bar spoon – 300mm

· Jigger (measurer) – 30/60ml

· Muddler (to extract the oils and juices from your fruits)

ICE

Ice is essential, whether you're mixing a drink on the rocks, shaking or stirring. For most drinks use 2.5cm cubes. For cocktails use 5.4cm cubes.

MEASURES

To achieve perfection, be prepared to practice over and over again. Measure all your drinks with a jigger for consistency.

TECHNIQUES

Shaking a cocktail: Pour your ingredients into the shaker, add ice, close and shake for 10-15 seconds. Remember: shake the shaker - not yourself! Strain the drink into the glass.

Stirring a cocktail: Pour the ingredients into the mixing glass, add ice and stir clockwise for 15 seconds, keeping the spoon at the bottom of the glass, until the drink is diluted and cooled.

Let's shake it for our 125th anniversary

What could be more fun than watching a virtuoso cocktail artist perform their frenzied dance to the rhythm of rattling ice cubes? It’s almost like a samba or a cha-cha, but there’s no music here, just the mysterious alchemy created by our rather special mixologists. They are rejuvenating the art of the cocktail by exploring new flavours and sensations, and taking the great classics to new heights. Carefully crafted to mark our milestone anniversary, these two mixological masterpieces can be enjoyed in Kempinski hotels around the world. And if you're feeling adventurous, why not try shaking one up at home?

The Everlast

A cocktail that combines bubbles with subtle aromas of red fruit plus an ingredient from past: oleo saccharum. Invented in 1827, this syrup, made by crushing citrus rinds to release their oil and macerating them overnight in sugar, is back in fashion. Summery notes of raspberry and strawberry are added to this sweet and tangy mixer. The result is lively and wonderfully refreshing.

Golden Sparkle

This refreshing drink is based on grapes and apple shrub - a mixer that’s all the rage in the world of mocktails. Originating in the Middle East, apple shrub is made from a combination of fruit, aromatics, vinegar and sugar which is then macerated for a long period. Its balance of sweet and acid notes is pitch perfect. Here it is combined with fresh pink grapefruit juice for a thirst-quenching citrus flavour, and served with soda water.

Kempinski meets Thomas Henry for cocktails

Together with our partner, Berlin-based premium mixer brand, Thomas Henry, we have created a suitcase-style bar trolley that perfectly captures the spirit of travel and adventure. There are few things more luxurious than truly personal service and that’s exactly what you’ll experience at this unique bar in a suitcase which can be found at several of our properties. Our highly trained bartenders will expertly prepare your drinks in front of you, from classics to aperitifs along with some tempting new creations. It’s a wonderful opportunity to witness the craftsmanship behind a perfectly mixed drink as your mixologist tells you about the ingredients and techniques. And hopefully you’ll pick up some tips that will inspire you to impress your guests by mixing your own cocktails at home.