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Cocktails are needed when the goal is not to achieve intoxication, but to have a good time, enjoy a balanced taste and aesthetic appearance of the drink. There is an incredible variety of alcoholic mixes, ranging from the simplest, like Screwdriver or Mojito, to exclusive ones that are the author’s development of a particular bar or bartender. In this article, we will look at the main types of cocktails according to different parameters.
Interestingly, even with impeccable proportions, the same cocktail turns out a little differently every time – different ingredients, temperature, amount of ice and mixing time affect. Experienced bartenders often modify recipes to suit their own vision of taste and cooking style.
Cocktails by time of use
Aperitifs. Served before meals, improve appetite. This category includes “Martini”, “Manhattan”, “Kir”, “Albatross”. As a rule, strong alcohol is included in the composition – for example, vermouth or gin, however, the degree of the finished cocktail is low, since it should not cause premature intoxication.
Digestives. Drink after a hearty meal to improve digestion. These cocktails are usually stronger than aperitifs, and can be quite sweet, pairing well with coffee, cheese or dessert. A wide variety of options are possible here, ranging from “Brandy Alexander” or “White Russian” based on cognac to punches.
Any Time (at any time). They are not tied to food intake, they can be drunk at any time when you want. This section contains the most famous and classic cocktails: Rusty Nail, Bloody Mary, Tequila Sunrise, Cosmopolitan, etc.
Despite the fact that the category is called “any time”, cocktails are still considered evening alcohol, mainly for parties. It is not customary to drink them in the morning, without company or on the go.
By strength and volume
There are the following types of cocktails:
- Shots (Shot drinks). Served in stacks of 40-60 ml, drunk in one gulp. They can be flaky, strong, weak, some set fire. Examples: Kamikaze, B-52, Orgasm.
- Short drinks. Served in glasses with a volume of 60-160 ml, the strength varies from 17 to 45 degrees. Examples: Caipirinha, Porto Flip, Golden Cadillac, Old Fashioned.
- Long drinks. They drink from tall glasses with a volume of 160-300 ml, the fortress rarely exceeds 17 degrees. Examples: Long Island Ice Tea, Bellini, Negroni, Mojito.
A little apart are hot alcoholic cocktails, the volume and strength of which are not standardized, but usually the degree does not exceed 35%. Examples: Mulled Wine, Punch, Grog, Irish Coffee, Toddy.
Taste
The classification is rather confusing, but you can figure it out.
Daisy. Always short drinks. Strong alcohol with syrup, lemon juice and mineral water. Usually red. Strictly speaking, this is a style in which any 40% drink can be served: vodka, brandy, gin, etc.
Julep. Refreshing mint cocktail based on strong alcohol diluted with water. Examples: Whiskey Julep, Green Devil, Legend, Mojito.
Cardinal. Equal proportions of alcohol base and liquor. Examples: “White Wings”, “Stinger”, “Red Russian”.
Collins. Long drinks, which are a mixture of one unsweetened and strong alcoholic ingredient, lemon juice, sugar, soda. Examples: “Captain Collins”, “Hulk”, “Colonel Collins”.
Kobbler. Wine or sherry with citrus juice and sugar, fruit, crushed ice. There are strawberry, pineapple, coffee and even egg cobblers.
cooler. A low-alcohol cocktail made from a strong or wine base with fruit juice and ginger ale (optional, but often). As the name implies, they are well refreshed in the summer. Examples: apple, berry, mint or mango coolers.
Sangari. Cocktail with a powder of crushed nutmeg. Examples: “Dream”, “Compress”, “Brandy Sangari”.
Sower (from English sour – “sour”). Actually, everything is clear from the name – a mix of an alcoholic base with lemon or lime juice, plus a sweet component (liquor or fruit juice). Examples: Kamikaze, Daiquiri, Margarita.
Sling. In addition to alcohol and juices, the composition necessarily includes water (mineral or ordinary), the degree is usually low. Examples: Singapore Sling, Tervis Sling, Caucasus.
Smash. Cocktails with fresh mint, but usually stronger than julep, since water is not included in the recipe. Examples: Lemon Smash, Martini Smash, Rum Smash.
Suizl (svizl). Bitter cocktail. Examples: London Mint, Evins Park, Evergreen.
Fizz (from the English fizz – “pop”). Alcoholic mixes with sparkling water or champagne, the main thing is that the cocktail should turn out “with bubbles”. Examples: Lady Delamere, Caribbean Champagne, Astra.
Fix. Long drink of several strong components. Examples: Gin Fix, Mint Fix, Brandy Fix.
Flip. The composition must include an egg. Examples: Glasgow, Penguin, Lisbon.
Frappé. Chilled cocktail with crushed ice, ice cream, cream and fruit syrup. Examples: cranberry, pineapple, peach, citrus, etc.
By cooking method
Shake. The ingredients are mixed in a shaker, then the finished cocktail is poured into a serving glass and decorated. This is how Daiquiri, Margarita and Cosmopolitan do it.
Бильд (Build). The components of the cocktail are simply added one by one to the serving glass, where they are subsequently mixed. The easiest way, suitable for “Rum-Cola”, “Screwdriver”, “Tequila Sunrise”, “Mai Tai”.
Stir. The ingredients are combined in a separate mixing glass, then the finished cocktail is poured into a serving glass. The method is used in such cocktails as Manhattan, Dirty Martini, Sazerac.
Маддл (Muddle). It is not a separate cooking method. Mint, sugar or pieces of fruit are preliminarily kneaded with a special wooden mallet – muddler at the bottom of the glass for serving, then other components are added. Kneading is required for Mojito and Mint Julep.
Blend (Blend). The ingredients are whipped in a blender to obtain a homogeneous consistency, which is important for liquids with very different densities and fruits in the composition. The method is used in Pina Colada and Blue Hawaii cocktails.
Лейер (Layer). Stacking layers on top of each other. Beautiful drinks are obtained from several immiscible (most often multi-colored) ingredients, the technique requires skill and skill from the bartender. Examples: “B-52”, “Irish Flag”, “Traffic Light”, “Black Widow”.
Types of cocktails outside the categories
The following types are difficult to combine with one feature, but you need to know about them.
Eg-nog. An original Scottish invention: a mix of alcohol, sweet ingredients, nutmeg, egg and cream or milk. Examples: “Brandy Ag-Neg”, “Ag Sour”, “Honey Ag-Neg”.
Oyster or Oyster (from English oyster – “oyster”). Sobering anti-hangover cocktail with whole yolk, salt, pepper, spicy ketchup. Examples: “Pulsar”, “Shaman”.
Hybol. Any low-alcohol long drink served in a tall glass (highball). Examples: “Hurricane”, “Scottish Highlander”, “Sevilla”.