Golden cocktail Ratio
The Golden Cocktail Ratio: Sours
A while back I went to a bar, solo dolo and made friends with the bartender. I had a great time trying out their cocktails and getting sauced by myself. Got to choppin’ it up with my bartender and we had an awesome conversation about mixing drinks, our progression into the cocktail game and a whole lotta yadda. We got to talking about our favorite cocktails and I asked this young lady to make me something delicious with gin in it. She plotted for a couple minutes and got to work. Half-way through she asked “you want me to freestyle something?”, which scared me a little since she was obviously already freestyling. Anyway, she sat the drink in front of me and I took the first hesitant sip. The concoction straight up tasted like Tang, which I hated as a child, (its Sunny D or nothing over here!). It was obvious that my new bartender friend just threw some shit together with no foundation. I didn’t enjoy it and I wasn’t mad, it just seemed like an opportunity to share with her something that was shared with me.(shoutout to Cassie!) The Cocktail Golden Ratio
2 : 1 : 1+
The 2:1:1 ratio represents a breakdown of Sidecar cocktails at its simplest form. Sidecar Cocktails can be approached with a ratio of 2 parts of a base spirit, 1 part enhancer, and one part seasoning and for the plus you can add a lil’ sum sum like herbs, bitters, salt (which can do amazing things to a cocktail but we’ll talk about that later). If you want to make a drink on the fly, this is the best formula to do so. The science of this formula has been proven time and time again, with cocktails that you are probably familiar with. Think about the Margarita: 2 parts tequila (base), 1 part Agave nectar and Cointreau (Enhancer), and 1 part Lime juice (seasoning). The different parts can represent a combination of base liquors or sweeteners or sours (ex: ½ oz of agave + ½ oz of Cointreau = 1 part of enhancer). In the case of the Margarita, you can consider the lime juice an enhancer and a salt rim as the seasoning. Also, the ratio should also be seen as just that: a ratio, the 2:1:1+ could be translated to 1oz : ½ oz : ½ oz as long as you keep it somewhat formulaic, you can't go wrong.
The Base (Vodka, Tequila, Gin, Rum, etc. ) should serve as the foundation for your cocktail. The base of the Margarita is Tequila which is derived from the agave plant. When considering the enhancer on a Tequila Base it should include something that pairs well with Agave. Agave pairs well with lime grapefruit, salt and spicy peppers( that’s why Palomas, and spicy margaritas bang so hard). The seasoning usually rounds out a cocktail, on a margarita it can be the lime or the salt. If you’re feeling wild with your cocktails, you can experiment with sherry and vermouth, liquors that can add some salinity and acidity. The plus is always an additive that can enhance the flavor of your cocktail. In my practice it almost always represents an herb or a vegetable muddled or juiced within your cocktail. Salt or saline is a good additive for those bitter spirit-forward cocktails as well as hot sauce with those sweet or tequila-based cocktails to give drinks a lil kick.
2:1:1+, whether you're making shots around the pool for a couple of freaks or you're getting swamped behind the bar live and die by this golden ratio. You abide by these rules and I can assure you that you wont leave your guests with disappointment on their face and tang on their tongue. Change the vodka for gin, maybe add a bell pepper to ya cocktails or use a cordial instead of simple syrup. Start with the formula and you can finesse your way through all kinds of libations.
Sip Slow,
Mixo Rix