Gatherings and celebrations with friends are always a source of joy and memories to cherish. And what could be more glamorous and sophisticated than whipping up cocktails for your loved ones at home? The idea sounds perfect, but in reality, it can turn into a daunting task, leaving you playing the role of a mixologist all night and missing out on the fun with your guests.
Cocktail expert Abi Clephane from Bruichladdich Distillery agrees. She says, ”I love the theatre of shaking cocktails, but when you’ve got people arriving in waves, you want drinks that taste fantastic without having to stand there making each one like you’re on a shift. Christmas should be fun for the host too.” Her words ring true, as the host should also get a chance to enjoy the party and not just be stuck behind the bar.
Furthermore, most of us do not have a cocktail shaker readily available at home, and buying one just for a party seems unnecessary. However, there is a simple and effective solution that will make your life easier and your cocktails tastier.
Clephane suggests the bottle-and-freezer method, which completely eliminates the need for shaking. She explains, “Make your cocktail as you normally would, with the same ingredients and ratios, and then just add water. For a stirred drink, add 20%. For a shaken drink, add 25%. This gives you the perfect dilution without the hassle of shaking or stirring. Simply pour the pre-made cocktail straight from the freezer into a glass, and voila! It comes out cold, smooth, and perfectly balanced.”
Not only does this method save time and effort, but it also solves the classic hosting dilemma of never having enough ice for all the cocktails. Clephane assures that you can batch the cocktails days ahead and freeze them in sturdy bottles, such as the 60% recycled glass bottles used by Bruichladdich, without any worry of them breaking. So, you can sip on your favorite cocktail and enjoy the party without any stress.
But that’s not all, Clephane has another hosting hack up her sleeve that will take your cocktail game to the next level. She swears by frozen glassware, as it improves the drinking experience without any extra effort. “A frozen glass just makes a drink so much more enjoyable. You don’t need fancy ice or special equipment. If you have space to chill a few glasses before your guests arrive, that alone will make your drinks feel more purposeful. You can use this trick for cocktails, wine, or even beer – it enhances every drink!” says Clephane.
Now, let’s address the issue of clear ice. There have been many theories on how to achieve perfectly clear ice cubes, with some suggesting boiling the water before freezing. But Clephane clears up this myth, “Boiling the water does not make a difference in creating clear ice. If you want crystal-clear ice, there is only one method that works – directional freezing. Take a small cool box, fill it with good-quality water, leave the lid off, and put it in the freezer. The water freezes from the top down, creating proper clarity. You can then cut it into cubes or use stretchy silicone molds for different shapes.”
With these tips and tricks from the expert, you can elevate your cocktail game and impress your guests without being stuck in the kitchen all night. So, go ahead and enjoy the company of your loved ones while sipping on perfectly crafted cocktails. Cheers!
