KIT OUT YOUR COCKTAIL BAR

Cocktail DIY

Throwing a cocktail party at home is easier than you can imagine. Sort out a few recipes, a few key tools and ingredients, plus a group of friends and you’re set to go. Stock up on ice, fruit for garnishes, fruit juices to add and a few spices also.

Here is Metropol’s guide to successful Singapore Slings,

Dingbats, Negronis, Martinis, Mojitos, and more.

Tools

A cocktail shaker is top of the list, along with a bar spoon, a muddler, and a strainer. A jigger will help you pour exact measures. Make sure you have a decent sized shaker. Ice tongs are also handy.

Glasses

Glassware is a must and there are specifi c glasses for di erent cocktails. A Cosmopolitan is served in a Martini glass, whisky in a tumbler and a Negroni in an old fashioned or ‘rock’ glass.

Spirits

Gin is popular at present, but do not forget rum (a sugar cane-based spirit), whisky (grain-based aged spirit), tequila (agavebased spirit) and vodka (a fermented sugar-based spirit). With just these fi ve you can make countless luscious cocktails.

Liqueurs

You also need fl avours, and these come from liqueurs such as Triple Sec, Chambord, Blood Orange Cointreau, Kahlua and numerous others. Liqueurs are typically sweet, adding balance to spirits.

Citrus

To balance the sweet, add something sour such as lemon or lime juice. Fresh is best, but you can buy bottled citrus juice at most supermarkets, so that you will always have some on hand.

Spices/Bitters

If you’re a beginner, keep it simple. To add depth to your cocktail, include spices and/or bitters, such as cinnamon, star anise, vanilla, and orange bitters. Angostura Bitters is good to have on hand too.