Ice isâŚ. An Integral Component of Every cocktail, under the general definition of a cocktail being âan alcoholic beverage which includes: Sugar, Bitters and Water (Ice)â. Whether it is being used to chill a cocktail, mix ingredients together, for dilution and water content or simply just to take up space in a glass â Ice is just as important as the drink itself.
 Bartending classes teach, about how much Ice a bartender should use in each cocktail being made, both in cocktails with a mixer for example a Whiskey Sour or even something as simple as a Rum and Coke and in âspirit- forwardâ cocktails such as a Negroni or a Manhattan. These applications are concerned with ice in the final product, but what about drinks that are served with no ice?
Question: What does âNeatâ mean?
Answer: NO ICE!!! A drink served neat, would be a shot of liquor that has had no contact with Ice. Itâs gone straight from the bottle to the glass.
So what does âStraight-Upâ mean? Ever had a Cosmopolitan or a Vodka Martini with Ice in it? I doubt it. Now think about thisâŚ..Have you ever seen a bartender shake or stir a drink, then strain the drink into a glass with no ice? This cocktail would be called a âStraight-Upâ cocktail.
So to simplify, both âStraight-Upâ and âNeatâ drinks are served without Ice. The difference is that âStraight-Upâ cocktails have had contact with ice at some point leading up to being served.
As mentioned earlier, Ice can be used to take up space in a glass. “Why wouldn’t I just use a smaller glass?” I can hear you all asking. Have you ever had a Mojito served straight-up or in a short glass with no Ice? Crushed Ice is used in the classic Mojito recipe, because not only does it keep the drink ‘Ice” cold, it takes up space in the glass allowing the drink to contain less liquid, but still appear to be a tall, grande, gesture from your favourite bartender.
Egg whites are becoming a commonly used ingredient in a whole range of different libations. Just like pineapple juice, the egg whites will emulsify under heavy shaking or whisking creating a foam. The Ice used in the shaker tin almost acts as a whisk and helps the process of emulsification during shaking, in such cocktails as the Whiskey Sour or the Gin Fizz.
Question: How important is ‘Dilution’?
Answer:Â In many cases, it is very important.
Many cocktail recipes include a shake or a stir, these are for both mixing the drink, making it cold and dilution.
Look out soon for the up-and-coming ‘Build, Shake, Stir’ blog.
Also, take a look at our molecular mixology program which will give you the lowdown on both liquid Nitrogen and Dry-Ice
The Allure of The Classic Cocktail
When I first started working in a bar, my first job was in a place that had a Speakeasy theme (back in the late 80s.)  I was in my late teens and it seemed very new and exciting and glamorous to be surrounded by all these fancy cocktails with names like: âGolden Cadillac,â âIron Butterflyâ and  âMexican Ferrari.â  Thankfully you never really hear about those cocktails anymore. There were, however, certain drinks that seemed to have an almost hallowed status: the Rusty Nail, Manhattan or Old Fashioned. Almost thirty years on,  just like the thirty years before, these cocktails still hold their place on cocktail menus around the globe. Honestly, I think it was being exposed to this world of âfine drinkingâ that gave me the hospitality bug; the handsome Bartenders loved making these drinks because they appreciated the opportunity to employ their skill at making a perfect cocktail.Â
With the reemergence of  Cocktail Culture, there are still lots of people who look down on “mixology”.  However, when you have worked alongside bartenders who can barely open a bottle of beer as I have, you really grow to appreciate the bartender who has an informed repertoire, who can modify an ingredient, or ingredients , ultimately creating something  special and memorable .
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