There is more to making a mouth-watering cocktail than just adding the basic ingredients. Select colorful garnishes, spicy rimmers, and even metal ice cubes for your mixed drinks. Add pizazz to your cocktail or mixed drink and impress your party guests....
1. Make It Colorful
Image Credit: Shutterstock
A good place to start is to choose vibrant, colorful ingredients. Drinks can incorporate all sorts of colors – red cherries, pink grapefruit, green limes, blue curacao, etc. It's like mixing a drink and a rainbow, and it will make your drink stand out.
2. Use Metal Ice Cubes
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Ice cubes are not just for cooling your mixed drink; they can be decorative too. You can make your own ice cubes using special cube trays ordered online or purchased in specialty stores. Or, and this is exciting, try metal ice cubes. The cubes are made using food-grade stainless steel and frozen liquid so they are completely safe. Cool too (pun intended).
3. Garnish It
Image Credit: Shutterstock
An effective way to make a drink look better is by adding garnishes. This could be as simple as a lemon or lime wedge on the rim, a cocktail umbrella, or a skewer of cherries. More elaborate garnishes might include pineapple leaves, cinnamon sticks, or candy.
4. Layer The Contents
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Layering mixed drinks is an art, but it's not that difficult to master. This technique involves pouring the densest liquid first and the least dense last to create distinct layers in your cocktail. When you get the hang of it, your drinks will look like they are straight from a professional bartender's menu.
5. Choose The Right Glass
Image Credit: Shutterstock
The right glass can enhance the look of your cocktail. Margaritas look best in a Margarita glass. A Martini needs its own distinct V-shaped glass, while an Old Fashioned goes in a short tumbler. Using the right glassware can elevate your drink visually and accentuate its flavors.
6. Give It A Topping
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Whether it's a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of ground spices, or a floating mint leaf, the top of your drink is prime real estate for making it look beautiful.
7. Decorate The Rim
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Depending on the drink, a sugared or salted rim can add a visual and flavorful touch. Apply some lemon or lime juice to the rim of your glass and then dip it into a plate of salt or sugar. Rotate until the rim is fully covered.
8. Twist A Peel
Image Credit: Shutterstock
The peel of citrus fruits can be a vibrant addition to your drink. You can twist it, tie it in a knot, or create a fancy spiral. The oils from the zest add a flavor burst while the color contrast can make your drink pop visually.
9. Use Clear Mixers
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Consider using clear or light-colored spirits as your base when making a visually appealing mixed drink. They make the drink look clean and let the colors of your other ingredients shine through.
10. Use Pops Of Color
Image Credit: Shutterstock
A beautiful cocktail plays with contrasts in color, texture, and size. A bright strawberry on a green mint leaf, a tall celery stick in a round glass, a tiny umbrella on a huge pineapple wedge – these are all examples of using contrast to make your drink look pretty.
Remember, the goal is to entice people visually first, so they can't wait to taste what they see—the beauty of a mixed drink lies in the harmonious blend of its presentation and its taste. Happy mixing!
Create A Beautiful Cocktail
Image Credit: Shutterstock
I hope you try at least one of these ideas. I really like the metal ice cubes! Make your next cocktail sassy.
11. Pina Colada Recipes
Image Credit: Shutterstock
What is the coolest drink of Summer? Why a Pina Colada, of course. When you think of a Pina Colada, you think of Summer and paradise. The yummy mix of rum, pineapple, and coconut is like a little sip of Heaven. But there are more recipes for Pina Colada than stars in the sky.
Three Pina Colada Cocktail Recipes: Classic Pineapple, Mango, And Banana
Blue Hawaiian Cocktail
Image Credit: Shutterstock
It’s hard to beat the blue-colored Hawaiian drink, the iconic Blue Hawaii.
Blue Hawaiian Cocktail Recipe Plus 5 Recipes From Hawaii Bars
Author: Kathy Owen
Kathy Owen specializes in painting furniture and upcycling thrifty finds into unique home decor. She founded the home decor blog PetticoatJunktion.com in 2011, where she shares her expertise on furniture painting and upcycling found items.
