Basics of preparing and serving cocktails

Serving cocktails have become popular at home parties and in restaurants. Although there are a great variety of different cocktails, there are really only two different classes: spirit based and non-alcohol based cocktails.

A spirit is a fermented alcoholic beverage that has been distilled to separate the alcohol from the water. Many spirits are made from grains such as rye, barley or corn. Others are produced from grapes, for example brandy.

Recently there has been an increase in demand for non-alcoholic cocktails. They can be made using all the different methods that are traditionally used to create spirit-based cocktails. These cocktails are usually served over ice in a long glass with a straw and the appropriate garnish.

A spirit-based cocktail refers to any cocktail that uses a spirit for the base.

The main spirit groups are:

• Whisky/Bourbon
• Gin
• Vodka
• Brandy
• Rum

Some of the ingredients suitable for non-alcoholic cocktails include:

• Fruit juices - pineapple, orange, lemon, lime and tomato
• Coconut cream
• Ice
• Cola
• Ice-cream
• Cream
• Strawberries

If you intend to serve cocktails at your home party, these are the different methods to prepare cocktails:

Type of preparation	Method
Blending	Place ice and ingredients into electric blender. Blend until desired consistency is achieved. Pour un-strained contents into appropriate glass. Add garnish.
Shaking and straining	Two-thirds fill cocktail shaker. Top with ice and required ingredients. Cover with shaker top. Shake with short sharp movements above your shoulder. Strain into appropriate glass. Add garnish.
Stirring and straining	Fill a mixing glass two-thirds full with ice. Add required ingredients. Stir until the liquor is chilled. Strain into the appropriate glass e.g. martini glass. Add garnish.
Building	Pour required ingredients into an appropriate serving glass, usually over ice.