The Art of Cocktails

Cocktails are a classic drink for those who like to mix booze and other ingredients. A paper umbrella with a twist of lime is not a cocktail (and they aren’t cocktails at all). You need to know what ingredients are used, the history and how they’re made in order to truly understand cocktails.

The word cocktail may be derived from coquetel, the French name for an egg-cup. Another theory states that Antoine Amedee Peychaud in New Orleans combined his Bitters to a stomach remedy, which was served as a coquetel. The customers then mispronounced this name and called it a cocktail.

Cocktails are made with a base alcohol such as vodka, gin rum or whisky. The moderators, like citrus juices, fortified wines and liqueurs add flavor and hold the drink. Finaly, a perfume, such as bitters, fruit, coffee or syrups, refines and intensifies the flavor of the drink.

Tasting cocktails is the best way to discover more about them. Once you taste them, it will be easier to understand their special qualities, the original recipe, and why certain cocktails are better. There are many bartending books that can help you improve your skills.