Making whiskey cocktails is equal parts science and art. From dilution to choosing the right kind of whiskey, the end result should be a cocktail that you can sip out of your personalized whiskey glasses and enjoy to its fullest. Here are some tips to help you elevate your favorite whiskey drink.
Get to Know Budget Brands
Imagine having a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle and using it to make a mediocre old fashioned, where the sugar and orange and bitters distort the very expensive bourbon. Or using a Yamazaki 12, which is an increasingly rare bottle, to make a highball. Instead of using top-shelf whiskey, learn budget brands, many of which give pricier bottles a run for their money. From Elijah Craig Small Batch to Buffalo Trace, there are plenty of options for whichever kind of whiskey you need for a cocktail.
Look for Higher Proofs
When you mix whiskey into a cocktail, you are likely using ice with it, which will dilute the whiskey. For this reason, you want to look for higher-proof whiskies. A good way to tell at a glance is if it says “bonded” or “bottled-in-bond” on the label, such as Old Grand-Dad Bonded. You want a whiskey that is at least 50 proof, such as Wild Turkey 101, named for its 101 ABV or 50.5 proof. With either ice or adding water to your glasses etched with your monogram, you can dilute the whiskey to be perfect for your cocktail. Diluting before bottling is fine for whiskey you are serving neat or on the rocks, but in a cocktail, the dilution and other ingredients will wash out the flavor of the whiskey.
Take Note of the Mash Bill
The mash bill is what grains are used to make the whiskey and can give you hints to the flavor profile. Rye creates a more spiced whiskey while malted barley is dry. Corn adds caramel notes but can also create less interesting whiskey if more corn is in the mash bill.
Use Fresh Ingredients
If you are using custom engraved glasses, you won’t want to use anything prepackaged like boxed fruit juice. Fresh ingredients and simple syrup you made yourself are what should grace your glasses. Obviously, liquor and bitters will be in a bottle, but any ingredients that can be fresh or made by you should be. This ensures the best flavors in your cocktails.
Shaken or Stirred?
Ice plays an important part in cocktails, to the point where an entire chapter of Dave Arnold’s “Liquid Intelligence,” a book on the science of cocktails, is devoted to ice. Shaking your whiskey cocktail will dilute it while chilling it and should be strained of any small ice chips before they get in the glass. Stirring will chill without diluting nearly as much as shaking.
About Crystal Imagery
Eric Schuchart started making custom engraved glasses for friends and family in 2000. In 2013, he incorporated Crystal Imagery, joined by Sherri Blum, a well-known interior designer for celebrities, as a co-founder and business partner. Crystal Imagery uses a deep-carving technique on glasses, making them stand out from the competition. It carves a 3D relief into the glass, creating a depth you can feel and adding shadow. Typical laser and rotary surface etchings simply can’t compare. Crystal Imagery offers products including personalized whiskey glasses, Nick and Nora glasses, highball glasses, champagne flutes, beer mugs, and more glassware. Add a touch of personalized elegance to your home bar and indulge yourself with Crystal Imagery.
Get custom glasses to fill with whiskey cocktails from Crystal Imagery at https://crystalimagery.com/
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