The pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways. By now, most of us have come to terms with the fact that we have had to assume some of the duties and responsibilities that we used to turn to professionals for. With many of our favorite restaurants and bars closed or operating at a limited capacity, we are spending more time at home. How we have coped with these changes has varied greatly — some of us have kept it simple, while others have used this time as an opportunity to get creative. One area I’ve recently explored is at-home bartending.
At-home bartending is not as complicated as you might think. Take an inventory of what you already have and create a list of items you’ll need. When it comes to stocking your bar, make it personal. Think about what you like to drink and create a bar that fits your individual style, taste, and budget. You don’t need fancy equipment! You can start with the basics: a cocktail shaker, a muddler, a mini measuring cup, and a handheld citrus squeezer.
The first step is identifying your base liquors. Generally speaking, these include vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whisky and brandy. Liquors act as the base of a cocktail or they can be enjoyed by themselves. Next, turn your attention to liqueurs.
The terms “liquor” and “liqueur” are easily confused. Both are distilled spirits that contain alcohol but they are different, and the terms are not interchangeable. A liqueur is a distilled spirit with additional flavors such as fruits, nuts, herbs, spices, flowers, etc. They used to be referred to as “cordials”. Some of my favorite liqueurs include Cointreau, St-Germain, Aperol, Campari and Lillet. Liqueurs can stand alone of they can add depth to a cocktail.
Next up: cocktail mixers. These are defined as non-alcoholic ingredients that offer flavor and volume to a drink. They can change or enhance flavors or even add new ones. They can make a drink sweet, sour, or savory. Mixers include things like juices, dairy products, sauces, syrups, egg whites, carbonated beverages, etc.
Fresh fruit and vegetable juices have played a prominent role in my at-home bartending adventures. I often find inspiration at my local farmers’ markets or grocery stores. I shop for seasonal fruits and vegetables and build cocktail recipes around them. For example, during fig season, I muddled fresh figs to make a fig lavender simple syrup that I used in a delicious Fig Margarita recipe.
When it comes to simple syrup, I would encourage you to make your own because it’s so darn easy. The recipe is as follows: bring one cup water and one cup sugar to boil in a medium saucepan. You can flavor your syrups with all sorts of things like fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables, etc. which are added to your saucepan during boiling.
You can also flavor your own salts and sugars that can be used to rim a cocktail glass. Jalapeño-flavored salt is one of my favorites. Simply place jalapeño slices into a food dehydrator until brittle, add them to a cup of salt and grind them together in a blender or food processor.
Last but not least, have fun with garnish. A garnish not only adds visual appeal, but it also adds a touch of flavor to the finished product. I usually keep a supply of what I consider “essential” citrus (lemon, lime, and grapefruit), in addition to other items like olives, fresh herbs, celery, etc.
Of course, if you prefer to keep at-home bartending simple, you can! Some of your favorite cocktails might be the easiest ones to make. For example, use jams/jellies for added flavor instead of fancy liqueurs. Add 2-3 tablespoons of jam/jelly to your favorite liquor, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake, strain and serve. I have a wonderful Pear Ginger Jam from a local company (J’Ellen Jams of Durham) that pairs well with a couple of ounces of gin and a rosemary garnish.
Another easy cocktail recipe is a spritz. The great thing about a spritz is that it doesn’t need much. A spritz usually follows this easy formula: three parts bubbly, two parts bitter, one part soda. My favorite is an Aperol spritz. Aperol is a classic Italian bitter aperitif that can be found at any ABC store. It pairs well with a budget-friendly prosecco and a splash of club soda. You can garnish it with a slice of orange or grapefruit if you’re feeling fancy.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that at-home bartending can be as easy or as complicated as you want it to be. It’s not an exact science and you should feel free to experiment. Get creative and most of all, have fun. Cheers!
(photo via Trevor Holman Photography)
Join Carrie Brogren — founder of the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies group on Facebook — as she continues positive, fun and interactive community discussion on local food. From home-cooked meals to fantastic local restaurants, from around the corner to around the world, you’ll find a little something to be excited about in “Snacks and the City” on Chapelboro.com!
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines