Edible and Audible

Wasn’t planning on doing two posts today but stumbled on this and had to react. If you’re learning to make drinks at home and wondering about the order in which to put things in your shaker, watch this video and then do the exact opposite.

I’m surprised how often reputable culinary sources get cocktail tips so terribly wrong. In fairness, CHOW posts many cocktail-related videos that are perfectly acceptable, but someone dropped the ball this time. Here’s why:

• If you put ice in first and get distracted, you run the risk of putting your ingredients into ice that has already melted a little and therefore over-diluting your drink. Cocktails definitely need dilution, but that should come as you’re getting the drink cold via shaking or stirring – if you start out with significant amounts of water your drink will be over-diluted by the time you get the drink cold. Ice goes after all ingredients are in the tin/glass.
• You always want to add non-spirit ingredients in first – if you screw up the recipe somehow (believe me, it happens …) you’re better off throwing out cheaper ingredients than spirits. If you’re using a simple syrup made from the tears of the endangered Asian Tapir then sure, add that last. But for the rest of us, juice or sweeteners go in first.

So in conclusion – juice/sweeteners, spirit, and then ice. Disinformation be gone!