You don't have to be a trained mixologist to make a good drink. Amateur bartenders only need quality ingredients, good technique, and the right ratios to make the perfect cocktail. According to Popular Mechanics, every cocktail is made from a spirit, balancing agent, modifier, and water. Finding equilibrium between those components is key — much like a functioning engine.
If you plan to work on your cocktail-making skills, you definitely want to have some essential bartending tools. Consider whether your home bar has mixing glasses, shakers, jiggers (a cocktail measuring cup), strainers, a muddler, a citrus juicer, and a paring knife. These items can help you be precise and consistent while simplifying the process of bringing the cocktail elements together .
In addition to the right bartending tools, practice makes perfect. However, that doesn't mean trying countless versions of a cocktail to see which twist you like best. Instead, embrace the flavors and nuances of the cocktail's basic form before veering into adventurous territory. Flexing your bartending skills while staying true to the classic recipe will finetune your approach and work out the kinks of the final product.
When it's time to expand your arsenal and level up your game, here are cocktails any amateur bartender can perfect.
The margarita is a tequila-based cocktail that is particularly popular in North America and often served with Mexican cuisine . While the origin of the margarita is somewhat unclear and often disputed, the basic components of the drink remain the same. A perfectly balanced margarita has both sweet and sour elements, consisting of tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, and salt.
The most widely used tequila for a margarita is blanco — or silver — tequila, which is made from 100% blue agave and offers a pure taste that pairs well with the other components of the cocktail (via MasterClass). Other styles have complex flavors that are not meant for mixing. In addition, Difford's Guide notes that mixto tequilas may contain up to 49% of cane or corn sugars, which can change the flavor and dilute the agave taste quite a bit.
Once you've chosen a high-quality tequila and have measured the other ingredients to make a classic margarita, combine the ice, tequila, Triple Sec, and agave into a shaker. Shake the ingredients for at least 10 seconds to properly mix and chill the components. Then, strain the drink into a salt-rimmed glass and serve with a wedge of lime. Try pairing your margaritas with Mexican-inspired snacks for a tasty combo that's sure to keep the party going.
If you're planning on hosting brunch, it wouldn't be complete without mimosas. This refreshing cocktail is made with sparkling white wine and orange juice for a bubbly, citrusy concoction that rounds out any breakfast-centric meal. The good news is that mimosas are incredibly simple to make. A classic mimosa recipe calls for a 2:3 ratio of orange juice to sparkling wine, gently stirred together and served in a Champagne flute.
As you perfect your mimosa, keep in mind that this popular brunch drink can easily become too sweet. Depending on the type of sparkling wine and orange juice you use, you risk serving up a glass of sugar rather than a balanced cocktail. When choosing your ingredients, the best mimosas are made with quality Prosecco or Champagne that offer complex flavor notes rather than just sweetness. Likewise, don't shy away from being particular about your orange juice. While freshly squeezed is ideal, there are store-bought options that are a close second, providing that fresh tartness that will round out your mimosa.