Lifestyle

Cocktailing at Home

So, you’re hankering for a cocktail, but your bar isn’t stocked. We’ve got you! If you have a bottle of NOLET’S Silver, you’re in luck. The botanicals we use in NOLET’S – notably rose, raspberry and peach provide a deeply flavorful base. Depending on personal preference, you’ll need little more than a touch of citrus, soda or tonic water. For diversity and for the sake of creation, we have some hacks for building great cocktails you can enjoy at home!

Most recipes are comprised of a list of ingredients followed by explicit directions, however “Cocktailing at Home” is about being creative with the ingredients you already have to create something new. Who knows, you may even develop your own house specialty!

RULE OF THUMB:
2 parts spirits to 1 part sweet and 1 part sour
(2:1:1)

RULES ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN

There are basic proportions and food pairing “rules” that we use as guides in building balanced cocktails. Most consist of a base (the spirit), sweetener, and acid. Obviously, the quality of a drink depends on the sum of its parts. The basic formula to follow is:

  • 2 parts spirits to
  • 1 part sweet and
  • 1 part sour
  • (2:1:1)

The best part of creating your own cocktail is the first test sip!  If it is anything less than magical, don’t be dismayed, just revise a bit here and there!

SHAKEN OR STIRRED?

An aromatic cocktail is all alcohol and is traditionally stirred with ice, not shaken. Sours or drinks made with fruit juice requires shaking (for more dilution and a homogenous texture). Sweeteners can be sugar syrups, honey, maple syrup, or agave. No citrus? What about a splash of kombucha or even cider vinegar for brightness? Experiment with fruit syrups, reductions, jams, and dehydration.

MAKE THESE

We have some amazing and easy-to-make gin recipes on Instagram and our social media channels – give us a follow to stay up-to-date!  The cocktail we get the most feedback about is the Gin Jam Box, which combines jam from your cupboard with some citrus juice and zest. It’s bright and versatile. Another is the Salty Dog, made with grapefruit juice and a fancy looking salted rim that you could easily substitute orange juice or pineapple for. If you like it simple,  try a Martini, and riff on the garnish if you don’t have a lemon… a sprig of lemon verbena or mint would work. An aperitif? There are many Negroni variants depending on what you have on hand, you’ll need some bitter & some sweet; experiment & make it your own. If you’ve got Champagne, soda water, or tonic, make a long drink in a highball glass, balloon, or flute, like a Gin + Soda, Southside Fizz, or a French 75.

When popping out to the store for an exotic ingredient isn’t plausible, it’s time to get creative. Start by making ice, dig out some barware, order a backup bottle of NOLET’S Silver online, and get shaking.

by Stephanie Wolf-Hicks