Who doesn’t love a good drink at the end of the day? From the finest pinot noir or cabernets to full-bodied lagers to a good stiff mixer, there’s nothing quite like the kick you can get from a good drink with great friends.
From the age of F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Roaring 20s, to the scintillatingly hip nightclubs of the 50s and 60s, to the diversified entertainment scene today, the cocktail party has been a staple of entertainment for decades. It’s classy, it’s fun, and it’s a way to unwind with something tasty and tasteful. That said, mixing a cocktail is equal parts art and science, and the quality of your mixed drinks is sure to be a topic of conversation. To keep all your friends talking—and for the right reasons—here’s a look at some cocktail equipment to up your mix game for your next party or soiree.
A Mix of Tips
You want to make sure that you don’t overreach when it comes to your drinks. Cocktails are all about maintaining a delicate mixture of different drinks, and trying to do too much or adding too much of one drink can overpower the flavour of the other parts while leading to some unfortunate consequences. You’re going to want to make sure you have the proper equipment to mix and measure the amount of each item you’re putting into your cocktails. Proper jiggers are essential here, allowing you to mix and measure with ease. The same goes for proper cocktail shakers. That said, jiggers and cocktail shakers come in different sizes. To ensure that you’re putting in the right amount of each alcoholic ingredient, you’ll want to make sure that you know the size of these items before you start mixing.
Cocktail Accessories
One of the most understated and sadly overlooked ways of making a good cocktail great is using cocktail accessories. Too often now people jump straight to the alcohol itself, forgetting that part of the allure of alcohol in general and cocktails in particular can be the subtler touches. Think of it like a meal at a fine restaurant—your plate is nearly always decorated by some lovely green garnish. The same principle holds when it comes to cocktail accessories—they’re a quick but lovely way to add just that extra dash of class to a drink and, thus, your gathering. Add to that the fact that cocktail equipment from Pattersons is easily accessible and none too expensive, and you have a lot of options for classing up your soiree without breaking the bank.
The options themselves really are elegant in their simplicity. A few black straws, for example, as one might find in a real bar or café, can give a drink a more professional look. Disc stirrers can be a great way to give guests not just a means to stir their own drinks while drinking—allowing them to keep the flavour fresh—but to add just that little bit of presentational flair to the whole thing.
These little added dashes of class can really make the difference in making your next cocktail party a hit.