Mixology is changing daily, one quick way to step up your game is to start making your mixers from scratch. It is very easy and not too time-consuming and adds a unique personal touch to your cocktails. As people have become more focused on processed foods and natural ingredients, this is a great way to have natural, great-tasting cocktails at your next event or for your speciality drink menu. Here is a couple of store-bought mixers that can be made from scratch in minutes and you won’t have to worry about artificial flavors or ingredients.
Simple Syrup:
12 Ounces of Water
12 Ounces of Sugar
You can heat and reduce (although this will give you a thicker consistency which you might not want in some cocktails) or just mix in a bottle. It is a great natural sweetener for cocktails and for use in making other mixers.
Sour Mix:
6 Ounces of fresh lime juice
6 Ounces of fresh lemon juice
16 Ounces of simple syrup (see above)
Mix together and then store in your refrigerator. It will keep for roughly 1 week.
Grenadine:
2 Cups of pomegranate juice
1 Cup sugar
Simmer on the stove until it reduces by about half, then add 1 cup of sugar and stir until all of the sugar is dissolved.
Store in your refrigerator. It will keep for roughly 1 week.
Sweetened Lime Juice: (similar to Rose’s)
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup water
1 1/3 Cups fresh lime juice
Make a simple syrup by reducing the sugar and water on the stove until the sugar is dissolved and then add the lime juice and store it in your refrigerator. It will keep for approximately 1 week.
Tonic Water: (syrup to add to soda water)
4 Cups water
3 Cups of pure cane sugar
3 Tsbp quinine (found in speciality stores) it is powdered Chinchona bark.
6 Tsbp citric acid (look for this in the bulk section of a large grocer)
3 Limes that have been zested and juiced
3 Stalks of lemongrass roughly chopped.
Step 1 – Make a simple syrup in a medium saucepan with the sugar and water until the sugar dissolves.
Step 2 – Add the quinine, citric acid, lemongrass, and lime juice and stir for 25 minutes until everything is dissolved and the viscosity is runny.
Step 3 – Remove it from the heat and then begin to filter the solution. This might take several cheesecloths and or coffee filters since the bark is very fine. Filter the solution until you have refined it well.
Step 4 – Use a funnel to pour it into your containers and store it in the fridge. It should keep for roughly 2 weeks.
Step 5 – Pour this syrup into soda water (to taste) for a refreshing tonic water for your next homemade Gin & Tonic!
