Is there anything better than delicious crafted Cocktails at home? Allow me to make it a even better “Sipping-at-Home” moment with my Cocktail Hacks at Home.

The best way to start this adventure is to create and invent, while learning from other Mixologists.

Start with the simple things, and then proceed from there.

Master the basic ingredients, and your Cocktails will have never tasted any better. Homemade is always better!

Let’s start with a most essential part of the “Perfect Formula” when making Cocktails; the “sweet”. The perfect formula being 2:1:1. That is 2 parts alcohol. 1 part sour. 1 part sweet. With this rule of thumb, when making your cocktail magic, at the kitchen table, your cocktails will have a really good chance of succes.

Without further ado here are my own favorite Cocktail Hacks at Home.

Simple Syrup

Used in many recipes and is a must have in any homebar; Homemade of course!

Add 1 part of water and 1 part of white sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until dissolved.

Strain into a jar and seal tightly. Keep in refrigerator.

Want to make it “rich”? Add twice the amount of sugar (2:1).

Heard of dried Butterfly Pea Flowers? (it’s the flowers that turn purple liquids into pink). Make your own syrup a “BPF” Syrup by adding 5-8 dried flowers to the syrup when heating.

Want it to last a little longer? Add a few drops of alcohol (eg vodka) to the syrup and stir it.

Don’t have the time to make a Simple Syrup? Easy; Simply use a tablespoon of preserves or jam instead. Enjoy!

Grenadine

Grenadine is a commonly used, non-alcoholic bar syrup, characterized by a flavor that is both tart and sweet, and by a deep red color.

Used in classics such as “Hurricane”, and “Tequila Sunrise” you can now elevate these undying classics, to a unseen new level, with your Homemade Grenadine;

Simply use the same method as you would make the Simply Syrup. Swap on Pomegranate juice for water. Equal parts pomegranate and sugar. There you have it!

Dehydrated Garnishes

Dehydrated does it better! They will last longer, give better taste notes to your drinks and simply looks better.

Slice limes, lemons, apples and oranges etc. into thin wheels. Put them on a baking sheet in a preheated oven (80 C), in 3-4 hours. Be sure to turn them at least once for best results. Keep an eye on them, so they don’t go black.

What do you prefer? Dehydrated or fresh?

Shaken vs. Stirred

Oh yes the Wonderful “Unwritten Rules for Mixology” and the “Mixology Police” roaming the Social Medias, ready to strike down on those who doesn’t follow “their rules”.

I have always been a strong believer, in doing what YOU PREFER, instead of what the MASSES PREFER!
In the World of Mixology there should be no Rules or Boundaries – keep the Inspiration and Creativity ALIVE!

But, with that being said, there are of course some good “Rules of Thumb” that I prefer to follow.

If in doubt whether you should Shake or Stir your Concoction, these are the basics I follow;

SHAKE when your Cocktail include juices, syrups, liqueurs or eggs.

STIR when your Cocktail include spirits only or gentle mixers.

Common Measurements

In the World of Mixology you will often find different “terms” that is not always self explanatory.

Allow me to assist;

When reading the term “a dash of”, this is to be considered as “one shake of a bitters bottle”.

Reading the term “a Teaspoon (tsp.) of”, this is to be considered as 5ml.

A “splash of”, is to be considered as 6ml.

A “bar spoon of”, this one is more tricky. The most common bar spoon is 5ml.

Please comment with your own Hacks and Tips, as I’m sure you have made some similar experiences.

Find all of the above products in my SHOP.

ENJOY & SKÅL

Cocktail Essentials – are for me the proper Essential Bar Tools, the Proper Glassware, the proper Books and of course the proper ingredients.
It’s an important step in building your Home Bar, just as having the right kind of ingredients, love and passion.

I have tried my best to collect all of my favorite Bar Tools. I have done this in order to hopefully inspire you for an overall better Mixology and Crafted Cocktail Experience. Right from your own Home Bar.

When reading a cocktail recipe, it often suggests a style of glassware, a certain ingredient, sometimes even a certain tool. Well now is your chance to make it right!

There are certain un-written rules within the World of Mixology, and every Cocktail recipe made, is designed for a specific Cocktail glass, to get the “correct experience” and fully take advantage of the creation in hand.

Why is this even important you might ask?

Well I have made a list of the “Essentials” and a guide on how to use it – find it right here.

And when you have collected all of your favorite things, head over to the Cocktail Recipes and get right on it.

If you need more inspiration on eg. Glassware, Ice and how to shoot for Social Media, be sure to checkout some of my Articles.

As always I will see you on my Instagram Feed.

When you find your favorites, it’s a simple matter of Clicking the image, to get your Essential Bar Tools, for yourself.

BAR DESKS & MORE

BAR TOOLS

You can’t run a Cocktail Blog without having your own TOP 10 Cocktails list.

For me a Great Crafted Cocktail is about the whole package, which MUST be in perfect balance with each element of;

TASTE, APPEARANCE, AROMAS, OVERALL IMPRESSION.

For me my TOP 10 have all of those things.

Want to try them for yourself? Simply click on the images to see how.

For even more Cocktail Inspiration, be sure to visit my Instagram Feed.

Enjoy & Skål!

Find the Tools, Glassware and Ingredients in my Shop.

Find your favorite Cocktail Recipes…

Allow me to present all of my favorite Crafted Cocktail Recipes throughout my Mixology Adventure.

I hope you will find them inspiring as well as motivating, for you to enter the World of Mixology. Whether you are a novice or expert, or simply like to explore and challenge yourself, I can’t wait for you to find your inner Home Bartender.

ENJOY & SKÅL

While sipping on your newly created Cocktail, be sure to read through some of my Mixology Articles.

Always prioritize natural lighting when shooting cocktails…

SHOOTING COCKTAILS IN NATURAL LIGHTING

Always seek the option to use Natural Lighting!

Lighting is key in order to take gorgeous looking captures and always get people’s attention.

Whether you shoot with your Smartphone or Camera, lighting plays the vital role.

Seek out the closest window/door etc. and prepare your captures there. A table with some reflective surface works wonders, and then simply put the cocktail on the table and “walk around it”.

Look for where the light hits the cocktail the best, and as you prefer it – this is the angle you want to shoot from.

If you have some kind of reflector (white cardboard, white shirt or additional lighting) you want that “light” to come from the side of the cocktail, enhancing the effects even more.

By using vivid ingredients you attract your audience

BRIGHT AND CLEAR 

Intense bright and colourful Cocktails works the best. “Brown” cocktails tend to never get as much attention as the colourful ones – regardless of what actually tastes the best.

Think about colour contrasts. A bright and intense red coloured Cosmopolitan, for example, with a bright green lime garnish have a fantastic appeal to the viewer.

Clear cocktails, instead of “muddy and foggy” cocktails, works the best – if you prioritize what “looks good on Social Media”.

Personally, I prefer what tastes the best, but at the same time, looks appealing and inviting for the viewer.

If you have a “muddy and foggy” cocktail at hand, try to garnish it with something that draws attention; an edible pretty flower, a dehydrated citrus garnish etc.

Just remember; it should always be about the taste!

Get up close and personal…

CLOSE UPS 

Now focus on the cocktail with your camera and snap away. Try different angles and distances. Often getting up close and personal to the cocktail works the best.

Think also about backgrounds.

When taking the captures close to the cocktail, you will often get a nice and blurry background. You want the background to be there, but not take over the shot and confuse the viewer. Place some props (such as bar tools, bottles, plants etc.) but don’t overdo it.

You want the focus to be on the cocktail, but setting the right kind of “mood” is key!

I can’t wait to see and hear more about your own experiences, so feel free to chip in.

In the meantime check out more creations on my IG feed.

BACK TO MORE MIXOLOGY ARTICLES

During my Adventure in the Fields of Home Mixology, I have made a lot of lessons learned, new discoveries and valued experiences, that I want to share with you in my Mixology Articles.

The best way to start your own adventure is to create and invent, while learning from other Mixologists.

It’s impossible to know everything about a field. Instead it’s a constant learning and refinement process, getting as much inspiration as possible. Find it in fellow Mixologists and Home Bartenders, and try to work them yourself. It’s all about making your own experiences and learnings.

The brilliant Mixologist studies the world, which is reflected in his/her drinks.

Please feel free to explore a couple of Articles I have written for various purposes – find them all in the Mixology Articles Menu.

ENJOY & SKÅL!

Shooting Cocktails for Social Media – Click the pic…

The Home Bartender inspiration has to come from somewhere.

When I grew up, my Dad made his own aquavit, infused with all kinds of botanicals. This always intrigued me, loving the different smells and colors.

Once I got older I made my own vodka shots, using different kind of infusions; typical for the teen age, often resulting in heavy hangovers.

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