In this world of growing spirits and WAY too many to choose from, in fact, it is crucially important not to forget the golden rule of drinking: DRINK WHAT YOU LIKE.
Many people concern themselves, especially with their home bars, to “get all of the necessary ingredients” before making any drinks or enjoying any drinks. This is a bad way to look at it. I was one of those people that complained about not having enough different types of booze at home to make great drinks with. Now, I realize that it is important to take it one bottle at a time.
Some of you may be aware of my past bartending experience, which I am very grateful for. When I was frustrated with my personal collection, I remembered a saying that was told to me during college. He was a gentleman talking about video production and editing. He said some words I will never forget, and it goes like this: “the best camera TO have is the camera you DO have.”
The truth of the matter is that we will never truly find ALL that we are looking for in the beginning. It takes patience. So in this case, its not a camera, but a bottle!
The trick is to start with ONE bottle. And it really doesn’t matter which bottle it is, so long as YOU enjoy it. For me, it would be rum. I am a deep aficionado of rum and still have much to explore. My rum love has lead me to finding more and more bottles of rum along the way. However, it all started with the one to mix with and experiment.
So in the end, finding the spirit you absolutely enjoy and sticking with it in the beginning, will take us far in our efforts to bartend at home and mix for ourselves and family.
WHAT TO MIX
Not sure where to start with your bottle of booze in the house? Here is a good example from one of my favorite books, The 12 Bottle Bar (12bottlebar.com)
THE CLASSIC SLING
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon water
2 oz (60mL) spirit of choice, whats available.
Although not the most delicious, the sling opens a world of possibility when it comes to finding the uses for bar. Especially if you are at ground zero, and just starting your journey to understand how alcohol mixes.
A classic sour is also a key way to distiguish flavor profiles and begin to get a sense of how your spirit of choice blends with citrus and sugar.
Lastly, the Toddy is an excellent example of how adding water and a bit of sugar to your spirit of choice goes a long way towards understanding the spirit in question.
THE TODDY
2 oz (60mL) spirit
1 teaspoon sugar
4 ounces (120mL) boiling water
This is a great way to enjoy your spirit in the cold months, especially! This classic will forever be in the proverbial cocktail hall of fame, as our great ancestors used to drink as well.
No matter how home bartenders may find themselves in a bind for ingredients, there is always one key ingredient to mixing at home, or if you work at a bar: FUN.
The whole point to mix drinks is to be creative and enhance your experience with alcohol (although some spirits are preferred to be drunk solo). Feeling joy and having fun are the most important things to check off your list, no matter what bottle crosses your path.
Jonathan Echavarria 