The 3 Basic Components of a Cocktail

If you think your average drink is boring, why not make a cocktail? There are different varieties that range from A-Z, all with unique flavors.

While there are tons of cocktail recipes around, all are made up of three core components - the alcohol, mixer, and garnish. By learning about each of them and their most common types, you can concoct the right drink for the occasion. Here's what you need to know.

Alcohol

No cocktail is complete without liquor. Not only does it give the drink its base flavor, but it's also what brings the unique kick!

·        Vodka: This Russian and Polish classic is considered the centrum of cocktails. It's the core ingredient for drinks from the Alabama Slammer to the Zombie.

·        Rum: You won't have to be a pirate to love rum; it runs smoothly down the throat and has notes of burnt-sugar.

·        Gin: This one originated from England. It has a sweet flavor and a fruity aroma; but, don't let that fool you. It has an incredibly high alcohol content that will make you tipsy faster than you can say Worcestershire.

·        Whiskey: Whiskey is a close cousin of rum, except it's spicier. It's one of the few liquors that have an array of undertones you can actually taste.

Mixer

Alone, liquor might be great; but, with a mixer, the experience will be better. It dampens the alcohol strength, adds more depth, and makes the drink flow smoother down the throat.

·        Seltzer: This is like water, except fizzier. It has a unique ability to weaken liquor's strength without affecting much of the original flavor. Use this for the Skinny Peach Mojito, Raspberry Mint Seltzer Spritzer, and Vodka Soda.

·        Soft Drink: Soft drinks are like seltzers, but with more sugary goodness. Those used as mixers are lemon-lime, ginger, root beer, or the classic cola. Examples of cocktails that use these are the Jack and Coke, as well as the Moscow Mule.

·        Fruit Juice: Lemon, lime, orange, raspberry, cranberry, and any other berry are a great addition to liquor. Not only do they enhance the taste, but they bring a spiky zest as well. In fact, most crafted cocktails aren't complete without one or two fruit juices.

Garnish

The pièce de résistance, the garnish is the final addition to any cocktail. While it may not be totally necessary, it does improve the taste and makes the drink visually stunning.

·        Olives: People who aren't a fan of olives usually haven't tasted them with liquor. When this little fruit soaks up gin and vermouth, it creates a unique bitter-sweet taste that martini lovers can't get enough of. 

·        Fruit Slices: Fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, but that's probably not the reason you're adding them into your cocktail. Lemons, limes, oranges, and sometimes watermelons add a citrusy or sweet spike to drinks.