A few years ago, our friends Karl and Karin made a series of bourbonbased cocktails using our balsamic vinegars and it got us thinkingabout the well stock bar and ideas for entertaining. The photo abovewas taken in their San Francisco Pied-à-terre, and we were charmed. What Makes a Beverage a Cocktail? What does that indispensable source, Wikipedia, tell us about "cocktails"?We quote verbatim: "The Oxford Dictionary defines cocktail as 'Analcoholic drink consisting of a spirit or spirits mixed with other ingredients,such as fruit juice or cream'. Specifically, a cocktail may mean a beveragewith at least three flavors, one of which is alcohol. More specifically still, it must contain alcohol, a sugar, and a bitter/citrus. Mixed drinks containing only distilled spirit and a mixer,such as soda or fruit juice, are considered highballs. Many of theofficial cocktails of the International Bartenders Association arehighballs. Interesting to note that a mixed drink containing only a distilledspirit and a liqueur, is called a duo, and when a mixer is added, it'sa trio. Additional ingredients may be sugar, honey, milk, cream,and various herbs. Where Do Alcohol Free Beverages Fit In? Mixed drinks without alcohol that resemble cocktails are known as"mocktails" or "virgin cocktails". We've found that balsamic vinegarssuit cocktails very well considering they are both sweet and acidic,which takes care of the sour component. The Role of Balsamic Vinegars in Cocktails Quality balsamic vinegars used in equal parts with your favorite spiritcan yield simple and refreshing new combinations and used simplywith a good club soda or mineral water produces a refreshing, healthymocktail option. If you' like to venture beyond any duo type highball combinations youmight come up with on your own, we've found three recipes onlinewhich you might find of interest or inspiration. A santé! Cocktail Recipes Michaela Rosenthal, Head Cook,Glory Foods, Inc. Walnut CA.Blackberry-Sage Cocktail by Michaela Rosenthal Ingredients 3 ounces blackberry juice1-1/2 ounces premium vanilla flavored vodka1 tsp. blackberry balsamic vinegar2 sage leaves, plus extra for garnish1 strip lemon peel2 ounces club sodafresh blackberries, garnish Instructions Place blackberry juice, vodka, vinegar, sage and lemon peel in acocktail shaker filled half way with ice. Shake to mix well andstrain into an ice filled glass. Top with club soda and garnish withfresh blackberries and sage leaves. Balsamic Berry Fizz by Clinton Kelly Emmy winning cohost ofABC's daytime hit, The Chew. Ingredients 1 tsp balsamic vinegar2 blackberries, muddled (fresh or frozen)1.5 tsp. simple syrup2 ounces bourbon1 splash club soda Instructions Add balsamic vinegar and blackberries to a rocks glass thenMuddle the fruit.Top with ice and add simple syrup and bourbonStir to combine. Top with club soda and serve. Bufala Negra from Food & Wine Ingredients 4 basil leaves1 tsp. balsamic vinegar½ ounce simple syrupice1.5 ounces bourbon1.5 ounces chilled ginger ale Instructions In a cocktail shaker, muddle 3 of the basil leaves with the vinegarand simple syrup Add the ice and bourbon, and shake well. Strain the drink into an icefilled rocks glass abd stir in the ginger ale Garnish with remaining basil leaf The post Adapting Balsamic Vinegars to Classic Cocktails appeared first on Lucero Blog.
