Nearly 14% of adults drink at least one beer each week. Beer and wine have been around for thousands of years for good reason. With all the varieties available today, it is likely that there is a flavor for everyone. But for those people who are interested in something a little more exciting, craft cocktails are an area to begin experimenting.
What’s a Good Craft Cocktail Base?
Craft cocktails are a mix of several flavors with a hard liquor as the base. Some common hard liquor bases are: vodka, gin, tequila, and whiskey. There are really an endless assortment of craft cocktails available at bars across the country. Here are a few tips to help you choose your next drink.
How to Choose the Right Hard Liquor For Your Base: Knowing Your Taste Preferences.
It’s nearly impossible to know if you will like something before you’ve tried it, especially when it comes to taste. When it comes to craft cocktails, the added components can almost overpower the flavor of the base liquor sometimes but not always.
This part can be tricky. For example, at a whiskey bar they might offer a dozen whiskey-based drinks. Maybe you dislike the flavor of whiskey and would prefer to find a cocktail that masks the taste. A mint-julep might be great but a Manhattan might taste overpowering.
How to Avoid Unwanted Surprises When Trying Out New Drinks.
If you really want to get comfortable ordering at the cocktail bar, it’s a good idea to know your taste preferences. Knowing the base is a first step, as it will have an effect on both the taste and your body. This is an important consideration, as some people can have a bad reaction to a specific liquor.
What’s a so-called “bad reaction?” Excluding an allergic reaction to an ingredient in alcohol, it is not uncommon for people to come across a hard liquor that just doesn’t agree with them. This might manifest as a particularly terrible hangover, or perhaps they seem to get intoxicated faster. While this isn’t a concern for everyone, it is something to keep in mind when tasting different drinks.
How to Feel Confident When Ordering at a Whiskey Bar.
Similar to fine wines, whiskey can last up to 100 years if it’s stored in a properly sealed glass bottle. Let’s say you choose to try out the craft cocktails at a popular whiskey bar. The best way for a customer to try out different drinks is to talk to the bartender. An experienced bartender can discuss options with the customer at the bar, and find a drink they might like.
Why a designated “whiskey” bar and not just the nearest local bar? Because at a whiskey bar the bartender is more than a drink-mixer, they are a connoisseur. They have a passion for good whiskey, which means they want other people to love it too. The bartender will be an asset in finding the right drink to tempt you. Do keep in mind that the best time to do this is when the bar is not packed with people.
It’s not uncommon to be intimidated by craft cocktails. Most people are fine drinking a beer, or ordering a red wine. People often have a favorite brand that is popular everywhere, meaning they can find it at just about any bar they go to. However, it’s time to be adventurous.
By knowing what base you enjoy, and the flavors you like, ordering a mixed drink at the bar doesn’t need to be anxiety-inducing. If you’d prefer to have some help, just ask the bartender what they’d recommend.