SHAKE OR STIR?
It’s the moment you’ve long dreaded: You’ve invited your mustachioed, speakeasy-going friend over for dinner and he’s asked for a cocktail. He watches incredulously as you pour gin, vermouth, and Campari into a cocktail shaker, his voice slowly trailing off from his story as the ice slams back and forth in your shaker.
HOW IMPORTANT ARE GARNISHES IN COCKTAILS?
Over the years, cocktail garnishes have become increasingly extravagant, demonstrating a bartender’s creative skill and adding a touch of theatre to the cocktail-making experience.
However, some bartenders prefer to focus on the balance and quality of the drink itself, opting for simple, or even pre-bottled serves. Some go further to claim that extravagant garnished can detract from the quality of the drink itself.