It’s no secret that enjoying libations in the bustling ambiance of bars, restaurants, and clubs have become a luxury that many can only afford occasionally. Imagine going out with friends to your favourite bar to have just a couple of drinks and being presented with a bill that rivals a grocery bill for a whole week. It’s a situation we’re sure many have found themselves in, and it’s frustrating to say the least.

One can argue that the rising costs are a result of the effort and expertise that goes into making these drinks. However, more often than not, exorbitant prices are driven by factors like location, ambiance, and other overhead costs associated with running an establishment. We say this because this phenomenon doesn’t apply to only cocktails, and even the cost of soft drinks and water hasn’t escaped this surge in prices. The need to satiate our taste for well-crafted drinks without emptying our wallets has never been more apparent. 

There is a solution to this growing problem—making cocktails at home. Now, you may think that mixology is a skill reserved just for professionals, but with a little knowledge and the right tools, you can easily become your own bartender. In this beginner’s guide to mixology, you’ll learn all about cocktail-making and learn how to create your own delicious and budget-friendly cocktails right in the comfort of your own home. 

Essential tools for making cocktails

Before you get started, there are some things you absolutely need to make the best cocktails. These tools are not only functional but also add a touch of elegance to your home bar or kitchen setup.

Cocktail Shaker

A staple in any home bar, a cocktail shaker is crucial for mixing ingredients and achieving that perfect blend. It typically consists of a metal or glass container with a lid, which can be tightly sealed during shaking to prevent spills. There are various types of shakers available, from the classic three-piece shaker to the Boston shaker. So it’s best to choose one that suits your style and preferences.

Jigger

This handy tool helps you measure the right amount of alcohol and other ingredients, ensuring your cocktails taste just right. Jiggers come in different sizes, usually with two sides—one for standard measures and the other for smaller measurements. This ensures accuracy and consistency in your drink recipes.

Bar Spoon

This is a long-handled spoon used for stirring cocktails, and is essential for achieving a well-mixed drink. It’s best to use this instead of a regular spoon because of its length. It allows you to reach the bottom of tall glasses or pitchers, ensuring that all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Muddler

A  muddler is perfect for mashing the fruits, herbs, and spices you need to make your cocktails. Although you can make do with any masher for this purpose, mashing with a muddler brings out unique flavours in your cocktails that you may not achieve without it. For whatever cocktail you’re making, a muddler helps release the essential oils and juices, creating a deeply flavorful drink.

Strainer

When you’re done shaking or stirring, a strainer comes in handy to prevent ice and pulp from entering your glass. This ensures a clean and smooth pour from your shaker into your cocktail glass, free from any unwanted elements in your cocktail. An alternative to a bar strainer is any small sieve you happen to have in your kitchen.

Basic ingredients for your home bar

These ingredients form the foundation for a wide variety of cocktails, so this is a good grocery list to start your mixology journey with.

Spirits

Vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and whiskey are excellent choices to start building your collection. You can either choose your favourites or experiment with different brands. Each spirit has unique flavours and characteristics that are crucial to the outcome of certain cocktails, so we advise you to look up your favourites before you decide what spirits to include in your home bar.

Liqueurs

This may not seem like an important element of a cocktail, but adding at least one liqueur like triple sec, vermouth, or amaretto to your home bar opens up a world of flavour possibilities. These sweetened spirits bring some complexity to your drinks, making them more interesting and enjoyable. 

You’re a beginner, so you probably don’t need more than one liqueur in your collection. Just like we advised for spirits, determine what your favourite cocktails are, look up the ingredients, then choose one or two liqueurs you need for most (or all) of them.

Mixers

Assuming you aren’t a cultist that drinks spirits straight, mixers should be the next thing on your list. If you invest in quality mixers like soda water, tonic water, cola, lemon-lime soda, and ginger beer, you can create a wide variety of delicious cocktails. Mixers are essential to dilute spirits, add fizz, and provide a refreshing element to your drinks. 

Fresh fruits and herbs

Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges are typically used by mixologists to add acidity and freshness to your cocktails. Additionally, having fresh herbs such as mint, basil, or rosemary on hand allows you to incorporate aromatic notes into your drinks, and create classics like the mojito and gin basil. Fruits and herbs are also great for garnishing your cocktails—a sprig of mint or a slice of lemon for a final touch.

5 easy cocktails to make at home

Now that you have everything you need, you can make the perfect cocktail. There are numerous classic and signature cocktails you can make with the tools and ingredients listed above. However, with mixology, it’s important to start simple and easy. So here are five easy cocktails and how to make them in simple steps.

Classic Mojito

The mojito, a drink with roots in 19th century Cuba, is the perfect introduction to mixology. Its fresh, minty flavour and simple recipe make it ideal for beginners. 

To start, muddle or mash lime wedges, mint leaves, and sugar in a glass. Add white rum and fill the glass. Next, top the glass with club soda, stir and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge. That’s it! You can play around with the ratios of mint, lime, and sugar to find your perfect balance. And remember, the key to a great mojito is using fresh ingredients.

Margarita

The margarita is a classic cocktail with a tangy lime, salty rim, and tequila kick. This classic tequila-based cocktail can be enjoyed frozen or liquid and is usually associated with the sun-soaked Mexican coast. To craft this classic cocktail, begin by wetting the rim of a salt-rimmed glass with a lime wedge and then dipping it into salt. In a shaker, combine fresh lime juice, tequila, and triple sec over ice. Shake well and strain the mixture into the prepared glass, allowing the salted rim to complement the citrusy notes. Garnish with a lime wheel and enjoy the timeless flavours of this delicious drink.

Cosmopolitan

Made famous by the television show “Sex and the City,” the Cosmopolitan is a fruity and citrusy cocktail that is known for its vibrant colour and is often associated with sophistication and modern urban living.

Start by filling a shaker with vodka, cranberry juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, and triple sec with ice. Shake the mixture vigorously to ensure a perfectly blended cocktail and strain into a chilled martini glass to showcase its unique pink hue. The Cosmopolitan boasts a delightful balance of sweet and tart flavours, with the citrusy notes of lime dancing elegantly with the cranberry’s fruity essence. Garnish the drink with a twist of orange or a floating lime wheel.

Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule has a unique blend of flavours that has made it a timeless classic. To create this drink, start with what a moscow mule is best known by — a copper mug, and fill it with ice. Add a generous measure of vodka, offering a neutral backdrop for the other ingredients. Follow that up with some freshly squeezed lime juice, imparting a flavour that harmonises perfectly with the vodka. 

The secret ingredient that gives the Moscow Mule its distinctive kick is ginger beer. Pour in some ginger beer, and give the mixture a gentle stir to meld the flavours. The result is a cocktail that strikes a balance between sweet, tangy, and spicy. Garnish with a lime wedge, and enjoy this iconic cocktail.

Gin and tonic

The Gin and Tonic is a classic and straightforward cocktail that is celebrated for its simplicity. As the simplest cocktail on this list to make, all you have to do is pour gin and tonic water over ice in a glass. Stir gently and garnish with a lime or lemon wedge. With this cocktail, you can experiment with different gin and tonic water brands to find your perfect balance of flavours.

Making cocktails is a fun and creative hobby that anyone with a love for drinks can pick up in their spare time. Yet, it’s also a cost-effective way to enjoy your favourite drinks. The benefits are endless— you get to explore a world of flavours, create unique and signature cocktails, and even delight your friends and family with your mixology skills. Cheers to delicious drinks and saving money in the process! And don’t forget to shop for everything you need on Vendease.