A drink, or rather a cocktail, is one of the most popular ways to serve alcohol in the world, though its origins are shrouded in mystery. In Poland, bartending schools are sprouting up like mushrooms, where aspiring bartenders learn how to prepare drinks in a spectacular way to enhance the waiting experience for bar guests before enjoying these tasty beverages. Although new cocktail recipes are constantly emerging, and the best establishments pride themselves on their signature ideas, there are 15 basic types that can be found everywhere. How do you prepare the most popular, classic drinks?
Drink, or cock-tail
It is difficult to find mentions of the first drink ever prepared. Researchers were led to the origin of drinks by their English name: "cocktail". "Cock" and "tail" led them all the way to South and Central America, where cockfights, once held outside inns, have been popular for hundreds of years. They thus put forward two theories about the origin of the first drink. The first tells of how, in the 18th century, after one of the fights, the owner of the winning bird ordered alcohol for all the spectators in the inn. Unfortunately, the innkeeper did not have enough of one type of liquor to treat everyone present, so he poured together the contents of various bottles, mixing them playfully with rooster feathers. This accidentally created drink was so popular with guests that the next time they again asked for a "cock's tail", or "cocktail", to be prepared.
The second story is also related to cockfights. It states that mixtures of alcohol and additives were given to the birds before the fight... to increase their fighting spirit and courage. However, it is still unknown how the idea for these mixtures made its way to North America, where by the early 19th century, bars began serving various "cocktails" to their customers. Today, there are thousands of drink recipes in the world, which can be divided into several basic types.
Basic Types of Drinks
Cocktails can be divided into several basic categories:
- Shots – small portions of alcohol up to 50 ml, consumed in one go.
- Shorts – drinks with a volume of 60–100 ml, often served in cocktail glasses.
- Longs – larger cocktails (over 100 ml), served in tall glasses with ice.
- Sours – alcohol and citrus juice-based drinks, with a refreshing, slightly tart taste.
- Crustas – drinks served in glasses with the rim moistened with lemon and coated, e.g., in sugar or cinnamon.
- Flaming drinks – spectacular cocktails set alight before serving.
- Layered cocktails – mixtures where ingredients of different densities create distinct colorful layers.
Mixing and Drink Mixing Techniques
Each cocktail requires an appropriate preparation method. The simplest drinks can be prepared directly in a glass, by pouring ingredients over ice and stirring. However, more complex compositions require the use of specialized tools:
- Mixing glass – used for mixing ingredients with ice without the risk of excessive dilution.
- Shaker – essential for milk, cream, or egg-based cocktails, allowing for a smooth consistency.
- Blender – used for drinks with a lot of ice, e.g., frozen margaritas.
- Bar strainer – allows for separating ice and larger particles, ensuring the clarity of the drink.
The proper choice of mixing and serving method for a drink influences not only its appearance, but also its taste and the experience during tasting. Thanks to the variety of techniques, everyone can find their favorite way to create the perfect cocktail.