Cocktail Tips and Special Ingredients

From time to time it is necessary to design your own ingredients for a cocktail. Whether it is infusing alcohol, creating syrups, or developing special flavours and ingredients, taking a bit of extra time can add a very special touch to your creations. Below you will find recipes and links to various ingredients and items I use in creating designer cocktails.

As always, please enjoy these cocktails responsibly and follow local laws and regulations. Let us know your thoughts when you try them!

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Butterfly Pea Flower Infused Vodka

Ingredients:

Vodka
Butterfly Pea Flower Extract (or Butterfly Pea Flower Tea)

Preparation:

1. If infusing a whole bottle, keep the vodka in original bottle.
2. If using a sperate container, be sure to wash and dry thoroughly, butterfly pea flower is sensitive to changes in ph.
3. Gently add butterfly pea flower extract to vodka in its container until you reach a deep, translucent, indigo blue colour.
4. Place cap on bottle and gently swirl to combine.
5. Store in a cool dry place. 

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Magic Ice

Ingredients:

2 Cups Boiling Water
3 Bags Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

Preparation:

1. Steep three butterfly pea flower tea bags in two cups of boiling water for five minutes.
2. Squeeze and remove tea bags.
3. Wash and dry thoroughly one or two ice cube trays, butterfly pea flower is sensitive to changes in ph.
4. Pour tea into ice cube trays and freeze. Be careful to not allow anything to contaminate the liquid as it may change colour.
5. Remove ice and crush it.
6. Store crushed ice in a airtight container in the freezer until needed. 

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Lemon Syrup

Ingredients:

4 - 5 Large Lemons (Enough for 1 cup of lemon juice)
1 Cup Sugar

Preparation:

1. Zest one large lemon, being careful to avoid the bitter white pith.
2. Juice the lemons until you have 1 cup of lemon juice.
3. Add lemon juice, zest, and sugar to a pot and bring to a light boil over medium heat. Stirring frequently to avoid burning.
4. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, while stirring frequently.
5. Use a fine mesh strainer to strain syrup into a resealable glass container.
6. Allow the syrup to cool and store in the refrigerator for 2 - 4 weeks. (Toss if becoming cloudy or if it develops floaties.)​

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Honey Ginger Syrup

Ingredients:

1 Cup Water
0.5 Cup Honey
40g Fresh Sliced Ginger

Preparation:

1. Bring water to boil.
2. Add ginger slices and boil for 10 - 15 minutes until fragrant and developed into a dark golden colour.
3. Strain hot ginger water into a heat-proof bowl.
4. In a heat-proof mixing bowl add 1/2 a cup of honey and 1/4 cup of hot ginger water.
5. Stir until well blended and bottle in a resealable glass container.
6. Allow the syrup to cool and store in the refrigerator.

Recommended Items & Shopping

The items listed below have been bought and tested before recommendation. Please note the links below are Amazon affiliate links. Should they be used to purchase any of the items listed, a small commission will be paid to me at no cost to you!

Ingredients

Butterfly Pea Flower Tea - Click image for purchase

Great for making ice or for slow infusions, this butterfly pea flower tea has a wonderful flavor and sturdy bags. Simply cut the bags open if you wish to a slow infusion with the dried tea alone.

B'Lure Butterfly Pea Flower Extract - Click image for purchase

Quickly add a touch of magical colour to any clear cocktail or use it for a quick alcohol infusion. Simply fill the dropper and add as much or as little as you need.

Edible Lustre Dust for Cocktails - Click image for purchase

After trying several types of edible lustre for cocktails, I found this brand to offer fine glitter that stays buoyant for longer in your cocktails.

Tools

Cocktail Bar Strainer - Click image for purchase

Shaken or stirred, no cocktail deserves to have extra ice chunks and seeds floating in them. This two pronged strainer fits stirring cups and shakers with easy to control use.

Japanese Jigger - Click image for purchase

Not all jiggers are the same and this one stands out from the crowd. With a beautiful  polished exterior and multiple measure indicators within, this jigger will keep your pours exact. All the way from barspoon to two ounces.

Manual Fruit Juicer - Click image for purchase

This fruit juicer is a monster that will leave dehydrated husks of fruit in its wake. A long handle gives you fantastic leverage to get every drop of juice from the fruit into the built-in juice compartment. A spout makes for easy and controlled pouring. Yes, your citrus must be freshly squeezed for your cocktails.

Channel Knife - Click image for purchase

Have you ever wondered how bartenders get that beautiful curl of citrus to garnish your drinks? Wonder no more. This channel knife is comfortable and helps get the perfect citrus twist.

True Martini Atomizer - Click image for purchase

Sometimes a spritz is all you need. With a refillable inner chamber and included funnel, this atomizer is perfect for that little spritz of vermouth, absinthe, or anything else your cocktails calls for.

Cocktail Smoker Kit - Click image for purchase

Add a little smoke and fire to your cocktail with this affordable smoker kit. It comes with four types of wood chips, a smoking disk with lid, two mesh filters, and a cleaning brush.

Bar Apron - Click image for purchase

Crafting cocktails can be messy, which is why you never shake a cocktail towards the person patiently waiting to imbibe. Add a touch of class to your bartending all while protecting your clothes and looking fantastic.

16oz Swing Top Bottles - Click image for purchase

When making syrups or infusing alcohols a resealable glass container is a must. These are the bottles I use in my cocktail design.

Ice Cube Trays - Click image for purchase

A good ice cube tray can be hard to find. These trays feature lids to protect from odour and contamination and have flexible bottoms to allow you to access your ice with ease.