Cocktails are fun recipes that mix alcohol and other beverages to make delicious-tasting drinks. Some require measures with unusual names, which are not easy to convert to ounces or milliliters. If you want to impress friends and family with your awesome cocktails, learn how much alcohol is in a shot, use a measuring cup and common sense to determine when a drink tastes good.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Learn the Names of the Units of Measure
Step 1. Measure the parts according to the volume of the glass you will use
When a recipe calls for "parts", it refers to the relationship between the ingredients contained in the cocktail. You can take liberties on the total quantities to use. These measures are ideal when you want to make a pitcher for many people.
For example, if a recipe calls for 1 part vodka and 2 parts tonic water, you could add 1 shot of vodka and 2 of tonic, or 2 shots of vodka and 4 of tonic, and so on
Step 2. Pour 30ml of alcohol for a traditional shot
There are shot glasses of many shapes and sizes. If a recipe calls for a shot of alcohol, pour 30ml into the drink. A double shot is equivalent to 2 shots, i.e. 60ml.
In many recipes, the doses of the ingredients do not necessarily have to be exact to the milliliter
Step 3. Use a jigger if your cocktail requires 45ml of alcohol
A jigger is a measuring instrument that holds just over 1 shot of alcohol. If you don't have one, you can measure 45ml of alcohol to pour into your drink. Some jiggers contain different amounts of alcohol, but traditional jiggers are 45ml.
Only classic cocktails, such as Old Fashioned and Cosmopolitan, use these measures
Step 4. Pour 30ml of alcohol if your drink requires a pony
The name pony derives from the classic American shot glass. This amount of alcohol is slightly less than a standard shot that is used today. Use just under a full shot of alcohol if your recipe calls for this measure.
Cocktails that call for a pony usually have that term in their name, such as Pimm's Pony or Pony Express
Step 5. Count to 1 as you pour if you need to add a splash of an ingredient
A splash or splash is a rather subjective measure. You can make it more even by counting to 1 as you pour in the ingredient required by the recipe. If you wish, you can increase or decrease the dose.
- If in doubt, pour in a small amount of the ingredient, then taste the cocktail. Add more if you feel there is a need for it.
- In cocktails, a "splash" of citrus juice, berry or syrup is often required.
Step 6. Use 3-6 drops of bitters when adding a dash
When a recipe calls for a dash, it usually refers to the use of bitters in cocktails. This is another very subjective unit of measurement. Add 3-6 drops of bitters to your drink based on your personal taste. Start with a smaller amount and add more if you feel it is necessary.
Advise:
dashes are so small that a slight difference between one drink and another doesn't change the flavor much.
Method 2 of 2: Using the Measuring Tools
Step 1. Attach a metal spout to the liquor bottles to check how much liquid you pour during the free pour
When using this technique, pour the alcohol straight out of the bottle, without using a measuring cup. To better control the flow of the drink, attach a metal spout to the bottle before pouring it. These dosers help slow the flow of the liquor.
Advise:
count in mind as you pour the alcohol. The count of 1 equals 7.5ml, 2 to 15ml, 3 to 22, 5ml, and 4 to 30ml.
Step 2. Use a double jigger for shots and double shots of alcohol
Double jiggers have openings on both ends. The smaller one holds about 1 shot of alcohol, while the larger one contains 2. Pour the drink into one side of the jigger up to the reference line, then pour it into a cocktail glass.
Some jiggers are slightly larger or smaller than a shot or double shot
Step 3. Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass to measure them as you pour them
These glasses hold between 90 and 150ml and are useful for making almost any drink. If you only need to use a few ingredients, pour them one at a time into the mixing glass. Add up the quantities of ingredients you added and subtract them from the total as you pour them into the glass.
For example, if a recipe calls for 60ml of vodka, 30ml of triple sec and 30ml of lime juice, add those amounts and you will get 120ml. Use the measuring lines on the side of the mixing glass to measure each ingredient up to 120ml
Step 4. Measure the ingredients in a measuring cup for easy dosage
If you don't have any specific bar tools, use a transparent measuring cup you find at home. The best ones are the ones that don't contain a lot of volume, because they will have the smallest graduated scales. Pour the ingredients into the measuring cup one at a time and add them as you add them.
