Cocktail techniques ever home bartender should know

The rise of cocktail culture in America over the last few decades has not only led to countless cocktail bars scattered across the country, from big cities to tiny burgs. It’s also led to a rise in home bartending popularity. But if you’re a novice home mixologist, you need a few things to up your home cocktail game. On top of a great range of bottles of liquor, various ingredients, and the proper tools and glassware, you also need to learn a few crucial cocktail techniques. They can mean the difference between an okay and an epic mixed drink.

In my more than 20 years of writing about alcohol, I’ve spent a lot of time watching bartenders as they work their craft behind the bar stirring and mixing cocktails. I’ve seen all levels of skill and technique, and I’ve tried to take as many of these lessons as I can with me to use at my home bar.

Must-have cocktail techniques

While you don’t need a PHD in mixology to whip up a few cocktails for friends and family, there are a few simple techniques every home bartender should master. While you’re making, you’re shaking up a Margarita or stirring a Martini for your loved ones, wouldn’t you rather at least have the appearance of someone who has some semblance of what they’re doing?

Shaking

If you only learn one bartending technique, make it the proper way to shake up a cocktail. It’s really easy to look silly if you don’t properly mix your ingredients. If you’re making a drink with fresh fruit juices or syrups that require shaking, you’ll need a good shaker and learn how to use it properly. Your best bet is a two-piece shaker. Adding ice along with your ingredients is key to chilling everything and properly mixing it. Seal it and hold it with two hands, then vigorously shake it for 15-20 seconds. The more you do it, the better you’ll get.

Get creative with sweeteners

If you’re looking to add a little sweetness (and cut the booze) in your cocktails, you have a ton of options when it comes to sweeteners. You can use raw sugar, simple syrup, maple syrup, or even agave syrup. Learn what flavors these sweeteners add and get creative using them. You can also make flavored simple syrups by infusing them with spices, herbs, or fruit.

Adding garnishes

You might not think your home cocktails need a garnish. But if you want to up your home mixology game, you’ll learn to make a few simple garnishes. Use a peeler to make a citrus twist or a knife to make a citrus wheel. Other easy garnishes include berries, cucumber slices, herbs, and salt rims.

Proper straining

Straining is another must-have home cocktailing technique. For many drinks, straining is really important to remove any solids, pits, or other undesirable ingredients from getting into your cocktail. Learn which drinks require one straining and which require two. Also, learn which strainers (Hawthorne, julep, and more) work for which drinks.

The right way to measure

You might not realize it, but as a home bartender, accuracy when measuring spirits and other ingredients is important. You might think pouring freehand is a good option, but if you want to take your drinks to eleven, you’ll learn how to use measuring tools. Specifically, a jigger is a must-have for home bartenders.

Learn to stir

If you’re new to home bartending, you might assume that your best idea is to shake every cocktail. That’s just not the case. While shaking is a great choice for drinks featuring syrups or fresh fruit juices, stirring is the proper technique for spirit-forward, less ingredient-heavy drinks like the Old Fashioned, Negroni, or Martini. You should invest in a high-quality mixing glass and a long-handled bar spoon. For most of these stirred drinks, you’ll fill the glass with ice, add your ingredients, and stir gently (or vigorously, depending on the drink) to chill and combine.

How to muddle

If you enjoy Mojitos or traditional Old Fashioneds, you’re going to need to learn how to properly muddle. There’s a real sweet spot between not muddling your ingredients enough and eviscerating them and ruining the drink. You simply need to use a muddler to gently twist with a light motion to break down mint or other herbs, or to combine sugar and bitters. You don’t need to totally wreck it to get the flavors out. It should be a gentle process that releases the aromas and flavors from your ingredients so they’ll shine in your cocktail.