Mixology is a wonderful hobby, pastime or way to enjoy adult beverages. But we can't always have everything on hand. Here are several short cuts to save you time (or money).
Sour mix: While not a fan of sour mix (I'd rather make my own, from scratch), it does save time. But what if you're OUT of sour mix? Crystal Light fills the bill. Take a good, rounded teaspoonful for each drink, place it into the shaker or blender, along with about the same amount of water for each. Add your spirits and blend, stir, or shake. Voila! A Crystal Light Tom Collins, for example: 1 tsp Crystal Light Lemonade powder, a tsp of water, 2 oz gin, and shake. Pour into a highball glass and add a splash of club soda.
Pernod/Absinthe: I once ran out of Pernod, after promising myself a Sazerac. But I did have a bottle of anisette liqueur on hand. So my ersatz (substitute) Sazerac was made this way: 1 tsp anisette liqueur, 2 oz rye whiskey, and a dash of Peychaud's Bitters.
Good bartenders (home and professional) need to be good at having a "Plan B," as well. Out of Peychaud's Bitters? Use Angostura - not as good, but it works.
Rose's to the Rescue: I wanted to make a daiquiri but had no fresh (or bottled) lime juice, nor did I have any simple syrup. However, I did have a bottle of Rose's Sweetened Lime Juice. My Rose's Daiquiri was 2 oz Bacardi Superior Rum, 2 oz Rose's Lime Juice, a dash of lemon juice (for acidity). . .and it worked!
You get the idea: In a pinch, be resourceful. Be creative. I'm a cocktail purist, by nature - and experience - but when I'm in a bind, I get creative. And who knows? You might discover something new.
I was wondering one day, what rum and orange juice would taste like. Here I was, thinking I had created something new. . . then I found that I rediscovered a drink called the Scurvy Medic (also the Cuban Screw). I wasn't let down - I felt pretty good about it.
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