THE COCKTAIL GUIDE

More than a drink in a glass.

Facts worth sharing, techniques that genuinely help and stories that make your next cocktail even more enjoyable.

Cocktail facts Cocktail history 📍 Cocktail spots

DID YOU KNOW?

12 useful cocktail facts

Small facts you can put to use behind your home bar right away.

🧊

Ice is an ingredient

Ice both chills and dilutes. Large cubes melt more slowly, while smaller cubes chill and dilute faster during shaking.

🍋

Fresh citrus makes a difference

Lemon and lime juice quickly lose their bright aroma after pressing, so squeeze them as close to mixing time as possible.

⚖️

Balance can be measured

Many sours start around two parts spirit, one part sour and one part sweet. From there, you can taste and adjust with purpose.

🥄

A bar spoon is small but powerful

A few millilitres of syrup, liqueur or saline solution can make a cocktail noticeably rounder.

🍸

A cold glass really helps

A chilled glass keeps the cocktail at its intended temperature for longer and slows down further dilution.

🌿

Herbs need a gentle touch

Mint releases aroma when lightly pressed. Heavy muddling can make it bitter and leave small pieces behind.

🫧

Bubbles always come last

Stir soda, tonic or sparkling wine briefly and gently to retain as much carbonation as possible.

☕

Let hot espresso cool briefly

Slightly cooled espresso melts less shaker ice and helps keep an Espresso Martini in balance.

🍊

Citrus peel joins every sip

Expressing a peel over the glass releases aromatic oils onto the surface and into the first sip.

🧂

Salt can open up flavours

A few drops of saline solution can make citrus and fruit taste brighter without making the cocktail salty.

🥚

Take your time with foam

Egg white or aquafaba creates the best foam with a dry shake without ice, followed by a second shake with ice.

📏

Measuring creates freedom

Recording quantities lets you repeat a successful drink and then vary it with intent.

RESCUE YOUR COCKTAIL

Quick tips from the cocktail club

No complicated tricks—just solutions for those moments when you taste your drink and know something is missing.

Too sour?

Add a small bar spoon of syrup, shake or stir briefly, then taste again.

Too sweet?

Correct it with a few drops of fresh citrus, a drier mixer or a little more dilution.

Too strong?

Give the cocktail a little more contact with ice or add a suitable mixer in small steps.

Too flat?

Try bitters, fresh citrus oil or a few drops of saline solution before adding more alcohol.

No shaker?

A tightly sealed jar works for shaking; use a small strainer when pouring.

Mixing for guests?

Prepare citrus and syrup ahead, chill the glassware and add a proper alcohol-free recipe to the menu.

Read all stories and mixing tips →

COCKTAIL HISTORY

A short journey along the bar.

Not a dusty museum story, but four moments that shaped the way we mix.

Early punch

Sharing from one large bowl

Punch brought spirits, citrus, sugar, water and spices together. That family laid an early foundation for thinking about cocktail balance.

19th century

Cocktails develop their own vocabulary

Bars increasingly documented recipes, measures and techniques. Shaking, stirring, bitters and ice became recognisable parts of the craft.

The classics

Cocktail families travel the world

Sours, highballs, flips, fizzes and aperitif drinks gained local ingredients and names while keeping their basic structure recognisable.

Today

More precision and more freedom

Modern cocktail culture combines classic craft with local flavours, alcohol-free alternatives and an open community that shares knowledge.

GO EXPLORING

Where can you find an exceptional drink?

The best places are not always the ones with the loudest advertising. Share them as a Cocktail spot so everyone can discover something new.

Go to Cocktail spots

🍸

The independent cocktail bar

Ask for the house signature and describe the flavours you enjoy. A good bartender will happily explain why the combination works.

🏨

A hotel bar or aperitif spot

Hotel bars and restaurants often offer strong classics and relaxed service. Share your discovery in Cocktail spots.

🌿

An alcohol-free hotspot

More bars now treat 0.0 as a full category. Look for balance, glassware, ice and presentation.

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