7 Game-Changing Ingredients That Make Cocktails Pop
Bartenders this year have been taking drinks to the next level with bold, creative flavor boosters. Try them in your cocktails to elevate your at-home or bar experience!
1. Homemade Bitters
The options are endless. A few dashes can transform a cocktail, balancing sweetness, acidity, and spirit-forward flavors. From classic aromatic bitters to experimental DIY blends featuring coffee, cocoa, or tropical spices, crafting your own lets you tailor your drink exactly to your taste (DIY Bitters).
2. Exotic Citrus
Brighten cocktails instantly with fruits like yuzu, calamansi, or finger limes. Their vibrant acidity and unique aroma can turn a simple highball into a standout sipper. Try the Yuzu Pineapple Inferno, made with Monin Yuzu Syrup, or Double Down, which features a Kumquat-Calamansi Cordial for a tart, tropical punch.
3. Herbal Shrubs
Tart, layered, and visually striking, shrubs are making a serious comeback. Vinegar-based syrups infused with herbs, fruits, or spices create cocktails with depth and complexity. Learn more in The Secret to Making Killer Shrubs.
4. Infused Spirits
Take a base spirit and infuse it to add dimension and nuance! Hibiscus-infused reposado tequila shines in the Rosarito, bacon-infused bourbon brings smoky richness to the Yardbird Old Fashioned, and fig leaf-infused gin adds a subtle herbal complexity to The Wasp.
5. Fermented Mixers
Kombucha, tepache, and lightly sour ferments are making waves for their tang, effervescence, and digestive benefits. The Yuzu Tepache combines pineapple and spice, while kombucha cocktails introduce funk and fizz without the heaviness of soda.
6. Spiced Syrups
Warm spices like cinnamon, clove, and cardamom are back in a big way. Whether it’s a cinnamon spiced simple syrup in a fall-inspired martini or a bright, floral cardamom syrup in a gin cocktail, these syrups add aromatic depth and seasonal warmth.
7. Micro Herbs
Tiny but mighty, micro herbs add aromatic lift and visual appeal. Muddled cilantro provides a fresh, bright note that elevates every sip, showing how a small garnish can make a big impact.
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