Paper Planes: The Art of Making and Shaking Craft Cocktails

The art of making craft cocktails is rooted at the beginning of the United States in the

mid-1800s. Cocktails were initially made to cure hangovers through the combination of alcohol,

bitters, and sugar. This simple hangover remedy has evolved into a sophisticated drink that

focuses on flavor, presentation, and craftsmanship.

Craft cocktails lost their popularity during the war and prohibition. Along with the changing tastes

in the 20th century, it almost spelled the end of craft cocktails. The art of crafting cocktails was

rediscovered, and this marked the birth of a new generation of techniques and flavors.

Crafting a cocktail undergoes a meticulous process of choosing flavors that will form a great

pair, the glassware to use, and the correct way of stirring and shaking. Here are what

bartenders do in creating great craft cocktails:

1. Pouring

There are two ways of pouring that bartenders do to pull out a Mastercraft cocktail, free

and jigger pouring. Free pouring is a faster way to make drinks because you can use

both of your hands while using a jigger gives you more accuracy. Small inaccuracies in

the number of drinks can create an imbalance in the flavor profile. So, accurately

measuring liquor and other ingredients is essential in making quality craft cocktails.

2. Muddling

Mudling is a bartending technique used to extract juices and flavors from citrus wedges,

softer fruits, and spices. This is a simple technique, yet enhances the taste of your

favorite cocktails. With the use of a muddler, you can modernize the cocktail by adding

more flavors to it.

3. Shaking

Shaking is one of the fastest ways to mix ingredients, whilst cooling and diluting the

mixture simultaneously. Shaking does not really affect the flavor of your cocktail, yet

adds more excitement to your presentation. Shaking the ingredients for around 10-15

seconds and following the right drink-mixing procedures, will give you a successful craft

cocktail.

The correct drink mixing procedure is like this:

1. Pour the ingredients into the cocktail shaker

2. Fill the shaker to the brim with ice

3. Seal the shaker either with the lid or tin (if using a Boston shaker)

4. Shake HARD for 10 – 15 seconds

5. Remove the tin by gently tapping the top of the shaker with the palm of your hand

6. Strain your cocktail into a frosted glass

4. Stirring

Stirring is another common technique in bartending. It requires a gentle pace and is not as

diluted as shaken cocktails. In a stirring method, bartenders avoid adding fruit juices, dairy, or

eggs. When there is nothing except alcohol, you avoid to over dilute or over chill the drink so

you can let the flavors shine.

5. Garnishing

Who does not want an appealing drink? Garnishing is the final step that lets you add something

extra to activate the senses of taste and smell. There are several garnishing styles and the most

common ones are dropping, and twisting. Rimming, floating, and flaming orange.

As the art of crafting cocktails continues to evolve, many different ways are being discovered

that pave the way to the new cocktails served in your local bars and even in the comfort of your

own home. It is about expression and the combination of your favorite flavors that make it more

special.