How to pick the Perfect Drink.

Every time I visit a cocktail bar with non cocktail-drinking friends I am reminded that reading a cocktail menu can be like reading a foreign language to those not familiar with the terminology and brands. All the talk of random spirit brands, bitters, liqueurs, syrups etc is enough to make anyone plump for a safe G+T, glass of vino or bottle of beer. All too often I have witnessed just such behaviour of people in bars that actually serve some excellent cocktails and I always think what a shame their palates haven’t had the pleasure of exploring new territory.  Here are my top 5 tips for successfully selecting the perfect drink:

1.  Try something new. The absolute best way to explore and learn more about what you do and don’t like is to give things a go. Whilst there is nothing wrong with ordering ‘off menu’, if you always walk into a bar and order a Mojito you will never discover that a Mint Julep is a far superior drink!
2. Order whatever catches your eye.  It can be all too easy, particularly in a cocktail bar with a longer menu to spend so much time contemplating what to order that you end up even more indecisive than when you entered.  Most bars will offer some form of description with each drink and I have found a simple scan and order the first thing that stands out to be a remarkably successful method of finding that perfect drink.
3. Ask the staff. It sounds obvious, but well-trained bar and waiting staff will be able to guide you through the menu and make a recommendation suitable for your taste and preferences.
4. Narrow by style of drink. Despite the infinite combinations of ingredients, there are relatively few ‘styles’ of drink to choose from. If you are in the mood for something to quench your thirst then seek out those drinks with soda water, ginger beer or other ‘lengtheners’ on the ingredient list.  By contrast, drinks described as served ‘up’ and which contain only alcoholic ingredients will tend to be smaller in volume and stronger-tasting. Often descriptions of drinks that reference a particular ‘classic’ cocktail such as a Daiquiri or Old Fashioned can give a pretty strong hint as to what to expect.
5. Don’t get freaked out by bitters. Or other ingredients you have never tried for that matter. If you read a cocktail description in a cocktail bar and know you like three out of four ingredients, then the chances are the fact you have never tried the ‘hocus pocus bitters’ listed at the end will not matter a great deal.

 

The most important thing when trying to find your perfect drink is surely having fun. The worst thing that can happen is you won’t like the drink, in which case most bars will gladly replace it for something more to your taste. If in doubt, order a Sazerac.

The Cocktail Geek