5 Steps to the Perfect Cocktail

At Mac’s Chophouse, we know a thing or two about cocktails. If you’re looking for the best lunch in Marietta accompanied by a perfected signature cocktail, we’ve got you covered daily starting at 11 a.m. 

Want to know our secrets to the perfect cocktail? Keep reading!

Step 1: Alcohol, of course

It’s no secret that the most important part of a cocktail is the alcohol that’s used. While personal taste and budgets may vary, there are a few key spirits that should be included in every cocktail maker’s cart. A good place to start is with a bottle each of vodka, rum, gin, whiskey and tequila: with these you’ll be able to make nearly every kind of cocktail. 

Step 2: Mixers 

Mixers are the second most important ingredient. They put the “mixed” in mixed drinks. A few good basics to have around include citrus and fruit juices, citrus-flavored sodas, tonic water, club soda, ginger beer, cider and soft drinks. The type of mixer used will depend on the type of cocktail being made, and cocktail connoisseurs will have preferences on their favorite mixers to use with certain drinks. 

Step 3: Equipment

You can’t have a perfect cocktail without using the correct tools. For a beginner, around 10 home bar tools should be sufficient for a good cocktail, while bartenders typically have countless gadgets at their disposal. Jiggers are used to measure the amount of alcohol or mixer used in a drink. Strainers don’t have to be expensive and will turn a cocktail from homemade to professional. Bar spoons, mixing glasses, shaker tins, muddlers and peelers should round out the absolute must-have equipment to start the journey toward a perfected cocktail. 

Step 4: Technique

Believe it or not, technique is actually pretty crucial when mixing up cocktails. Shaken, stirred or frozen, it’s important to know when to use which technique and how to do it properly. 

Generally, a cocktail should be stirred if the drink will include light mixers or distilled spirits, like a Manhattan. The result is often a clear liquid, and these drinks are typically stirred for 20-30 seconds. A cocktail should be shaken if it contains fruit juice, egg, dairy, cream liqueurs or other “heavy” mixers, and the resulting drink will often look cloudy, like a chocolate martini. Ten seconds is usually a good enough shake, though some drinks may require a longer shake. A drink that is being built in the glass, like a screwdriver, should be stirred. 

It’s best to follow a recipe when making a cocktail for the first time or if you’re new to mixed drinks. It will help you get the hang of how long a cocktail should be stirred or shaken, so that when you branch out to your own creations, you’ll have a better handle on what you’re doing. 

Step 5: Garnishes

Garnishes are perhaps the most fun part of a cocktail because they’re the hardest to mess up. If you don’t like the way it looks or tastes, most garnishes can be easily removed and swapped out. But they’re essential for elevating the look of a mixed drink and help round out the flavors and experience of a cocktail. From fresh herbs and muddled fruits to sugar rims and the classic citrus wedge, spend a little extra time planning for this step and the results will amaze. 

The Perfect Cocktail

And there you have it, five steps to the perfect cocktail! It’s not an easy thing to get right, so if you’re ever in need of inspiration, head to Mac's Chophouse for cocktails on the square and try out one of their signature, smoked or barrel-aged cocktails. You just may find a new favorite or gain an idea to recreate at home. 

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