Typs Of Service In Hotels And Resturent ?

Cocktail Techniques: Shaken, Stirred, Muddled, and Strained

Stirred cocktails, shaken cocktails, muddled cocktails… the variety of cocktail techniques can be quite confusing. The first step in building your cocktail knowledge is knowing when to apply the correct technique.

Certain drinks are meant for shaking, while others are meant for stirring, and others muddling. Factors in the decision are based on the ingredients in the cocktail and, for some drinks, the preference of the drinker (as per Mr. “shaken, not stirred” Bond). This post will help you learn the correct cocktail techniques, and knowing when to use each will ensure that you can create better cocktails.

When to Stir, Shake, or Muddle?

You stir cocktails that contain spirits only (no mixers or food ingredients). A stiff Manhattan or a classic Negroni are examples of ‘up’ drinks that are often stirred.

You shake cocktails that contain citrus juice, eggs, cream, or dairy. Think of Margaritas or a Pisco Sour.

You muddle cocktails that contain fruit and herbs. Drinks such as Mojitos or Mint Juleps are best muddled.

Tools for Mixing Cocktails

Starting out with the right equipment will help you make better cocktails. A good bar setup will include:

• Cocktail Shaker
• Jigger / Measuring Device
• Mixing Glass (you can also use the base of the cocktail shaker)
• Hawthorne or Julep Strainer
• Bar Spoon
• Muddler
• Serving Glasses

Extend your knowledge further by using glassware appropriate for the cocktail.

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Stirred Cocktails

Classic cocktails to stir include the Manhattan, the Negroni, and the Rob Roy. This could also apply to mixed drinks that are built directly in the same glass they will be served in (and sometimes casually referred to as cocktails) such as a gin and tonic, or a rum and coke.

Why Stir a cocktail?

The goal of stirring is to combine ingredients gently and to also melt a little ice water in order to dilute a potent drink somewhat and make it more palatable.

What Is The Best Stirring Technique?

1. Fill your mixing glass halfway with ice.

2. Add your liquor(s) and other cocktail ingredients.

3. Place the bar spoon inside the glass, hold it at the top of the twisted part, and gently rotate it around the inside edge of the glass for 15-20 rotations.

Bonus Pro Tip: The most important thing is that you do not stir the cocktail rapidly or with too much vigor. Keep it slow and smooth.

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Shaken Cocktails

Cocktails that require shaking include the Sidecar, the Brandy Alexander, and the Margarita.

Why Shake a cocktail?

The purpose of shaking cocktails is to mix the ingredients thoroughly while also adding dilution from the ice in order to offer a slightly less strong and more palatable drink. For cocktails which contain egg white, the shaking method whips it into a white foam with a velvety mouthfeel.

Types of Cocktail Shakers

Cocktail shakers come in two basic types. The standard three-piece shaker has a built-in strainer, making it a convenient all-in-one solution. Meanwhile, the two-piece ‘Boston’ shaker does not, and requires a separate strainer when building and serving certain cocktails. Either can be used when learning how to shake a cocktail, it is simply a matter of personal preference.

What is the Best Cocktail Shaking Technique?

1. Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with ice.

2. Add your liquor(s) and other cocktail ingredients.

3. Make sure the lid is firmly in place

4. Hold the shaker firmly with one hand on each piece (if using the three-piece, a finger on top of the lid to hold that in place also).

5. With the cocktail shaker pointed away from your guests, shake vigorously over your shoulder for 10-15 seconds.

Bonus Pro Tip: Shake it like you mean it! The shaking method is meant to be more aggressive than stirring, so give it plenty of effort.

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Muddled Cocktails

Muddling is the process of “smushing” fruit, herbs, or sugar into a cocktail to infuse their flavors. Cocktails to muddle include the Mojito, the Old Fashioned*, and the Caipirinha. *There is some debate on the amount of muddling and the final serving of an Old Fashioned, but it belongs in this category.

Why Muddle?

The goal of muddling is to extract the oils from herbs, or the juice from fruits, to help their flavors mix with alcohol. Do not aim to smash the ingredients into oblivion, but gently draw out the essence of the food ingredients.

A muddler can be wooden, bamboo, or various other materials, and can also come with a rubber tip that helps avoid overly bruising herbs. If you do not currently have one, you can learn to muddle cocktails with the end of a wooden spoon or rolling pin.

What Is The Best Cocktail Muddling Technique?

1. Use a sturdy glass with a solid base or cocktail shaker.

2. Place your ingredients in the bottom of the mixing glass.

3. Gently press down and twist the muddler at the same time.

4. Repeat this about 4 to 6 times until the ingredients are sufficiently muddled.

Bonus Pro Tip: You can add ingredients at various times to allow for more or less muddling. Lime wedges or sugar can go in first, and take a few more turns, while delicate leaves such as mint can go in later, needing just a few turns to avoid damaging or overworking them.

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Straining Cocktails

Straining is usually the penultimate step in making a cocktail no matter the preparation method.

Why Strain?

The goal of straining a cocktail is to remove various items before serving. It can be used to remove ice from a shaken drink, or to remove broken leaves or fruit from a muddled cocktail.

What Is The Best Straining Technique?

There are several ways to strain your drinks, depending on the type of bar equipment you are using. The three-piece shaker is the easiest to work with because the strainer is built into the lid of the shaker.

The Boston shaker or a mixing glass requires that you use a separate tool to strain, and there are two main types that you can use. The Hawthorne strainer has a semi-circle of springs on the bottom, and a flat top that sits well on a shaker. The Julep strainer is a round, concave perforated strainer with a handle, and is often preferred if using a mixing glass.

Using a Three-piece Cocktail Shaker

1. Firmly hold the shaker with your forefinger and middle finger on top of the strainer lid.

2. Slowly tip the shaker upside down over the serving glass.

3. Give it a gentle shake to move the ice around and help all of the liquid escape.

Using a Boston Shaker and a Hawthorne Strainer

1. Place the Hawthorne strainer inside of the shaker with the springs facing down.

2. Hold the strainer in place with your forefinger.

3. Slowly tip the shaker over the serving glass.

Using a Boston Shaker (or Mixing Glass) and a Julep Strainer

1. Place the Julep strainer in the shaker with the bowl of the spoon facing out (upside down).

2. Hold the strainer on the joint between the handle and bowl using your forefinger.

3. Slowly tip the shaker over the serving glass.

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These tips will build your cocktail making skills and understanding of the methods used, and learning the proper techniques will help you serve (and enjoy) higher quality drinks.

Ultimate Whisky Brands In India

    Ultimate Whisky Brands In India
               
  
                         If there is one drink that unites the nation, it is the good old-fashioned whisky: The signifier of all celebrations, the perfect drink of camaraderie and the ideal drink to unwind after a long hard day of work. Our romance with this gorgeous amber-hued tipple is legendary.
                                     Not only is India the largest consumer of whisky in the world, we glug down nearly half the amount of whisky produced worldwide! From country-made desi whisky to the most exquisite single malts, we have an appetite for it all, and cannot get enough of it. However, picking the right whisky brand for the right occasion is no easy feat, and a ready reckoner doesn’t hurt! Presenting a list of the best whisky brands in India that includes everything from the world’s largest selling whisky brand to homegrown single malts, and it also includes inputs from the country’s first qualified woman whisky ambassador (who said it’s just a man’s drink?!). 


Whiskey History. It should come as no surprise that the word whiskey comes from the Gaelic uisge, a shortened version of uisge beatha meaning "water of life," also known as aqua vitae in Latin. ... Since wine was not easily obtained in Ireland and Scotland, barley beer was distilled into liquor which becamewhisky.

Amrut

          The first single malt that is truly Indian, Amrut is made with select Indian barley from the foothills of the Himalayas and has an outstanding richness of taste. Wonderfully layered, be prepared to taste a hint of spicy, floral, sweet and toffee notes. 
    

 Paul John Brilliance

Another desi single malt, this one is distilled in sunny Goa, and again packs in an exciting bouquet of fine flavours: Starting on a little fruitiness with a creamy texture and moving on to hints of honey, apple, vanilla and cinnamon. Delicious!

Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or

Getting extra matured in hand-selected wine barriques from the most famous sweet wine growing region of France gives this gorgeous tipple rich, spicy and dessert-like flavours.

Glenfiddich 12

A fairly reliable entry-level single malt, this is one of the largest players in this segment globally. Light and easy on the palate, this one is known for a fruity aroma and a sweet, creamy mouthfeel.

5. The Glenlivet 12

The most refreshing single malt| 

The one is quite the refreshing malt! An entry-level Glenlivet, the 12-year-old packs in a citrusy punch, with the soft aroma of lemon and grapefruit and juicy citrus notes lingering on long after you’ve finished your drink.

6. Talisker 18

An intense drink, this tipple starts gently with a rich and fruity aroma| 

An intense drink, this tipple starts gently with a rich and fruity aroma and mild toffee notes, but as you sit back and savour your drink, you get a more intense experience, that is smoky and even packs in a bit of a spicy kick!

7. Monkey Shoulder Triple Malt

Monkey Shoulder is made from three different malts| 

For the boys and girls who want it all, Monkey Shoulder is made from not one, but three different single malts – Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie and packs in a super smooth ride! Be prepared for mellow vanilla notes with spicy hints, and enjoy this one either on the rocks or in an interesting cocktail.

Best Blended Whisky Brands

8. Officer’s Choice

The world’s largest selling whisky brand, Officer’s Choice is a bit of a cult, and loyalists swear by the strong punch that surprisingly also throws in some 

Aristocrat Black

        The relatively new kid on the block from the iconic Aristocrat family, this one has a floral and honeyed aroma, and an incredibly smooth taste profile, with just a tease of green apple and spice.

 8 PM

                  Advertised as a rare blend of malts, 8 PM created history when it sold more than a million cases in the year of its launch. Described as brilliantly smooth and strong, this drink is now also available in a 180 ml tetra pack!

11. Royal Stag

It is a blend of the best scotch malts from Scotland| 

brand that tells you to ‘make it large’, this is a blend of the best scotch malts from Scotland and Indian grain spirits. A full-bodied whisky, this one scores high for its consistent flavour and an easy smoothness.

12. Blenders Pride

Whiskey that blends Indian grain spirits| 

Another whisky that blends Indian grain spirits with some of the good Scottish stuff, BP as it is lovingly called by its fans, has an inherent smokiness and also pairs quite well with a cola.

13. Imperial Blue

The largest brand in the Pernod portfolio| 

This one is quite a hitmaker. The largest brand in the Pernod portfolio, IB has a well-defined taste and packs in quite a punch. It is best enjoyed with iced water.

14. Jack Daniel’s

The iconic JD sits here because this is a very distinct “Tennessee” whiskey, and much like bourbon, it primarily distilled from corn. With a sweet aroma and notes of caramel and toasty oak, this one makes quite the combo with a cola of your choice.

Best Scotch & Blended Scotch Brands 

15. 100 Pipers

A blended scotch with a great vanilla after taste| | 

A blended scotch with a great vanilla aftertaste, this one hits some woody notes, and also delivers an aroma that is sweet and has a bit of peat.

16. Teacher’s Highland Cream

                Soft, smooth with quite the ‘creamy’ mouthfeel, this variant of Teacher’s has quite a complex palate, and packs in a lingering smokiness that also has a touch of heat and pepper in it.

17. Vat 69

Quite the historical blended scotch, this one is apparently blended using 40 different malt and grain whiskies. It starts on a sweet and rounded note, proceeding to a spicier finish.

18. Ballantine’s

            This is one gentle poison! It starts on a rich and sweet note with a whiff of caramel, but finishes on a soft, mellow and sweet mouthfeel.

19. Black Dog

A sophisticated drink- fruity, vanilla, woody and malty|

A sophisticated drink, this one is to be savoured slowly as a multitude of flavours reveal themselves. Fruity, vanilla, woody and malty, all gently teased out with some ice and a dash of water.

20. Johnnie Walker Black Label

Beautifully balanced with a nutty butterscotch flavour and subtle sweetness|

Black Label is the stuff stories are made of! Beautifully balanced with a nutty butterscotch flavour and subtle sweetness, this drink has associations with a lot of celebrations and weddings, especially in the North!

21. J&B Rare

A fresh whiskey that blends in more than 40 whiskies| 

A great blended scotch, this is a fresh whisky that blends in more than 40 whiskies with Speyside whiskies at its core. Notes that are revealed in this include fruity, caramel and spice.

22. Jameson

An iconic whisky that has a strong association as “the” Irish whisky. This is superbly smooth and has sherry and nutty undertones that make it such a classic drink to savour anytime.

23. Chivas 18

An easy tipple even when neat| 

An easy tipple even when neat, this has quite a creamy mouthfeel with lots of orange and vanilla notes and a warm oak finish.

24. Laphroaig 10 

The 10-year-old shines even in all this stellar company|

The Laphroaig range is essential for whisky lovers, and the 10-year-old shines even in all this stellar company. Packing in quite the peaty punch followed by a hint of sweetness, enjoy slowly!

25. Glenkinchie 12

A distinctive drink which is soft and creamy| 

A relatively unknown single malt in India, it is nevertheless quite a distinctive drink and is soft and creamy and with quite a fruity bounce, and plenty of floral and sweet notes.

26. Makers Mark Bourbon

A bourbon finally makes to the list! Another iconic and very pleasing drink, this is a wheater, which essentially means there is wheat in the mash instead of the usual rye, making it quite a mellow drinking experience.

27. Caol Ila 12

This peat-smacked whisky has a consistent smokiness to it, balanced with a hint of vanilla and pears, and slight saltiness that lingers on.

                      So, there you have it. Of course, the list of the best whisky brands in India is ever increasing, and as we discover new flavours and favourites, there are some drams that never go out of fashion.