"Garnishing is the last, but very important phase of mixing a cokctail. A real cocktail will only be perfect with the right garnishes!"
Fruits
Fresh fruits are one of the best methods of garnishing the cocktails. Especailly tasty and colorfull garnish can be made from the strawberry, either sliced in half, or pierced on a cocktail stick. Rasperry, or ananas pieces not only make the cocktail more ineresting, but also add a custom flavor to it. Larger green herbs can also be very decorative, such as lemongrass, or menta. All-in-all be creative, and don't be a afraid to experiment!Cocktail stick
There are both sticks made of wood or plastick. The wooden ones are more elegant, however, the plastic ones can be reused. The stick is used to pierce varius fruits.Napkins and coasters
A well chosen napkin or coaster can boost the visuals of your cocktail, not to mention, that the spilled drinks won't harm your table.Lemon Spiral
A spiral from the peel of a citrus fruit can make a great impression. The preparation is a bit longer then most decorations but if your guests approve of elegance, success is guaranteed.The steps of creating a lemon spiral :
- Kepp to lemon over the cocktail. Use a vegetable peeler or a parer to cut away the skin of the lemon or orange in a circular motion. Take care not to cut in too deep to avoid the bitter part.
- After having cut down the peel twine it round a straw or wooden spoon to give it a spiral form.
- Finally decorate the cocktail with it for by putting it in the drink or hanging it on the edge of the cocktail glass.
Salt rim and sugar rim
A special garnishing method which without some cocktails (e.g. Margarita) just wouldn't be the same. Is used only on cocktail glasses.- Rub a lime piece on the outside rim of the glass.
- Dip the humid rim into a saucer of salt.
Chilling glasses
The glass should not warm up the cool cocktail hence glasses with smaller volume capacity (e.g. cocktail glass) should be chilled. Chilling can be done in numerous ways:- The fastest and easiest solution is to put one or more ice cubes or some crushed ice in the glass and swirl it around. Dump the ice afterwards and pour the drink. This technique works especially well with cocktail glasses.
- Fill the glasses with crushed ice and put them in the fridge for a few minutes. Use this method for chilling old fashioned and Collins glasses.
- Put the glasses into the deep freeze for 1-2 hours or in the fridge for 3-5 hours. This technique makes the glasses stay cold for the longest time. Note that you should avoid putting crystal glasses in the deep freeze.