The preparation of the different cocktails involves many different techniques and one of these consists in pounding (in English "to muddle") the fruit or other ingredients with a special tool, called a muddler, which has the shape of a pestle. In this way, the aroma and flavor of what is pounded is released into the drink. This is fundamental knowledge for a self-respecting bartender.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Choosing the Right Tools
Step 1. Unless the recipe indicates which tool you should use, there are many tools that can be used to pound the ingredients
Here are some of them:
- A special stick called muddler: it is an accessory sold in alcoholic and household stores. It resembles the classic pestle and can be made of wood, bamboo or plastic.
- A bartender's spoon: Use the convex part of the spoon to mash the ingredients.
- A French rolling pin: it is a rolling pin that lacks the classic handles at the ends. It is thin enough to fit into a glass.
- Pestle and Mortar: Use these to mash the ingredients before adding them to the glass.
Step 2. Choose the right ingredients
While the recipe will tell you exactly what to use, it's definitely helpful to know which ones are generally mashed in cocktail making. These include aromatic herbs, berries, citrus fruits, soft fruit, spices and other soft and aromatic components.
Part 2 of 2: Crush the Ingredients
Step 1. Read the recipe for the preparation of the cocktail of your choice
It will list in detail all the ingredients that need to be crushed and the doses.
Step 2. Put the ingredients in a glass or American shaker, in the glass half
If you need to mash some fruit, add a teaspoon of sugar. This helps extract more juice and essential oils
Step 3. Crush the ingredients with a squeeze and pull motion
Continue like this until the fruit is pureed or the other ingredients are well mashed.
Step 4. Put the ingredients you crushed into the shaker (if you weren't already using it)
Add the ice and all the other elements required by the recipe. Shake well (at least six times) to combine the aromas.
Step 5. Follow the instructions for the specific recipe
It could be necessary:
- Strain the drink into a glass and discard the chopped ingredients.
- Pour the drink into a glass without filtering.
Step 6. Finished
Here is everything you need to know about the "muddle" technique!
