Clear ice is the crown jewel of mixology magic. It’s the kind of drink addition that makes you go, “Whoa, what’s the secret behind this translucent masterpiece?” Well, fear not, dear reader, for we are about to reveal the secrets that will have you creating picture-perfect transparent cubes that would make even the most discerning cocktail aficionado swoon. 

How to make clear ice cubes in a tray

It may seem like a tricky process, but you simply need to follow the steps. Once you’ve done it once or twice, making clear ice at home will seem much easier than you imagined.  

Step 1: Fill the bottom tray

1. Start by selecting a silicone tray with a removable bottom. These trays are ideal for creating clear ice cubes due to their flexibility and ease of removing the cubes.  
2. Place the silicone ice tray on a flat surface to ensure stability during the process. 
3. Use filtered or distilled water to fill the bottom tray of the silicone tray. The quality of water plays a significant role in achieving clear cubes by minimizing impurities. 
4. Fill the tray just below the rim to allow for expansion as the water freezes. Avoid overfilling, as it may lead to messy spills or misshapen cubes. 

Step 2: Create insulation

1. After filling the bottom tray, lay a piece of insulating material, like a kitchen towel, over the top. This insulation helps slow down the freezing process and encourages the formation of clear ice. 
2. Gently press the insulating material down, making sure it covers the entire surface of the water-filled tray. 

Step 3: Freeze and remove ice cubes

1. Carefully transfer the tray to the freezer, ensuring it remains level to prevent water from spilling. 
2. Allow the tray to freeze completely. The time required may vary depending on the size of the cubes and the temperature of your freezer. Generally, it takes about 4 to 6 hours for the cubes to freeze. 
3. Once fully frozen, remove the tray from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. This helps loosen the  cubes and makes them easier to remove. 
4. Gently twist or flex the silicone ice tray to release the clear ice cubes. If they resist, you can briefly run the bottom of the tray under lukewarm water to loosen them. 
5. Your clear cubes are now ready to take center stage in your perfectly crafted cocktails. Cheers! 

Learn more: Make These On the Rocks Cocktails Like a Pro 

Making clear ice cubes in a cooler

You can also make clear cubes in a cooler, and hand-carve it if you prefer to get crafty. Here are the steps to follow if you would prefer to go this route:   

Step 1: Freeze warm water in a cooler for 18-24 hours

1. Choose a clean and insulated cooler that can accommodate the desired size of block you wish to create. 
2. Fill the cooler with warm water from the tap, ensuring it’s not boiling hot, to avoid damaging the cooler. 
3. Place the filled cooler in the freezer with the lid slightly open to allow for air circulation. Freezing warm water helps minimize impurities and air bubbles, resulting in clearer ice. 
4. Leave the cooler undisturbed in the freezer for approximately 18 to 24 hours to ensure the water freezes completely. 

Step 2: Extract and carve the ice block

1. After the designated freezing time, remove the cooler from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to loosen the block. 
2. Carefully remove the block from the cooler, taking care not to damage it during the extraction process. 
3. Place the block on a clean and stable surface, preferably a cutting board or a workbench. 
4. Use a serrated knife or ice saw to carve the block into desired shapes, such as large cubes, spheres, or custom shapes. Rinse the block under cold water occasionally during carving to remove any shavings and improve clarity. 
5. Once shaped, rinse the carved pieces under cold water to remove any remaining impurities or ice particles. Pat them dry gently with a clean cloth or paper towel. 

Read next: Freezer Door Cocktails for Easy Hosting 

Extra tips for making & shaping clear ice

Here are some extra tips to take your clear ice game to the next level: 

Use filtered or distilled water. This helps minimize impurities and enhances the clarity of your cubes. Tap water can contain minerals and chemicals that contribute to cloudy ice. 

Freeze in layers. To create clear blocks with distinct layers, freeze the water in stages. Fill a container partially, let it freeze, and then add another layer of water on top. Repeat this process until the desired thickness is achieved. 

Shape your ice. Clear ice can be shaped into various forms, such as spheres, cubes, or even custom shapes. Using molds or carving tools, you can create impressive sculptures or unique cubes that add flair to your cocktails. 

Remember, practice makes perfect! Experiment with different techniques and have fun while honing your clear ice-making skills.  

Do you add the ice before or after building a drink?

Cocktails we love to serve with clear ice

Clear ice not only enhances the visual appeal of cocktails but also elevates the overall drinking experience. Here are a few cocktails that are made even better when paired with the beauty of clear ice: 

Old Fashioned

This classic Old Fashioned cocktail is perfect for clear cubes. The clarity of the ice accentuates the rich amber color of the whiskey, making it a true showstopper. 

Mint Julep

Traditionally served in a silver cup, the Mint Julep takes on an extra touch of elegance when accompanied by a clear cone or large cube. The slow melting of the ice keeps the drink icy cold while enhancing its minty freshness. 

Mojito

The combination of muddled mint, lime, and rum in a Mojito is a match made in heaven. Pair it with a clear cube, and you have a visually stunning cocktail that’s as refreshing as it looks. 

Lime Margarita

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of a Lime Margarita, elevated to new heights with the addition of clear ice. The crystal-clear appearance of the ice showcases the zesty lime hue of the cocktail, enhancing its visual appeal while keeping your drink chilled to perfection. 

Sea Breeze

Transport yourself to a beachside paradise with a Sea Breeze cocktail served over clear ice. The pristine clarity of the ice brings out the mesmerizing combination of cranberry, grapefruit, and vodka, creating a captivating blend that is as invigorating to the eyes as it is to the taste buds. 

Moscow Mule

Sip on a Moscow Mule that dazzles both in taste and presentation when enjoyed with clear ice. The transparent ice cubes accentuate the fiery golden hue of the ginger beer and the captivating taste of the vodka, adding an element of sophistication to this classic cocktail.  

Remember, these are just a few examples, and the possibilities are endless. Experiment with your favorite cocktails and let the clarity of your ice take your mixology skills to new heights. Cheers to the perfect blend of flavor, aesthetics, and coolness! For more inspiration like this, remember to sign up for our newsletter! 

What is boba?

Boba is tapioca pearls, also known as tapioca balls — edible, translucent spheres produced from tapioca, a starch that is made from the cassava root and originated as a more cost-effective alternative to sago in Southeast Asian cuisine. When used as an ingredient in bubble tea, these happy additions are most commonly referred to as pearls or ‘boba’. 

What are boba cocktails?

Although bubble tea was originally alcohol-free and super popular among teens and tweens, somewhere along the line a few enterprising folks decided to add a little something stronger to appeal to an older demographic.  

Flavors hailing from Thailand, Indonesia, and China have been shaking up the global cocktail scene for a while now, with talented bartenders at Asian-owned establishments infusing drinks with inspiring flavors like pandan leaves, Thai chili, bitter melon, and Chinese five spice.   

It was only a matter of time before the crossover happened, and now that it finally has adventurous foodies cannot seem to get enough of it!  

How to ride the boba cocktails trend wave

To help you ride this trend wave, we’ve gathered a few bubble tea cocktail recipes to try at home. Fair warning – boba cocktails require quite a bit of prep work to assemble, so be ready to prepare your own tapioca pearls, and make syrup from scratch. It’s a little labor-intensive, but 100% worth it in the end.  

1. Rum & Boba

This playful twist on milk tea meets island vibes, bringing together Wray & Nephew rum, creamy wafer milk, and chewy boba pearls for a fun, dessert-style cocktail.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Wray & Nephew Rum

• 2 oz Orange juice

• 1.5 oz Wafer-infused milk*

• 1 oz Black tea

• 0.75 oz Winter melon simple syrup**

• 2 tbsp Tapioca pearls (boba)

• Dash of sugar

• Ice

Method

1. Prepare the wafer-infused milk by soaking one wafer-style cookie (like Nilla) in 2 oz of whole milk for two hours, then strain through cheesecloth

2. Boil the tapioca pearls in water with a dash of sugar, following package instructions

3. Make the winter melon sugar syrup by boiling equal parts winter melon sugar and water until dissolved

4. Add rum, orange juice, wafer-infused milk, black tea, and winter melon syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice

5. Shake until well chilled and double-strain into a glass with tapioca pearls at the bottom

6. Give it a light stir, add ice, and enjoy with a boba straw

7. Serve

TOP TIP: Boba straws are available from most Asian and Taiwanese specialty stores, and can also be purchased online. It’s thicker than a conventional straw, which allows one to slurp up the boba easily from the bottom of the drink.  

More rum inspo: The Ultimate List of 2-Ingredient Rum Cocktails

2. Strawberry & Lime Sparkling Boba

If you have a soft spot for strawberry cocktails, you’ve got to make the Strawberry & Lime Sparkling Boba cocktail. This bubble tea cocktail is a nice one to try if you’re in the mood for something a little lighter and more summery.

Ingredients

• 1 oz SKYY Vodka

• 2.5 oz Strawberry and lime syrup*

• 0.5 oz Fresh lime juice

• 2 tbsp Tapioca pearls (boba)

• 3 oz Sparkling water or club soda

• Ice

Method

1. Make the strawberry and lime syrup by adding 1 cup diced strawberries, 0.25 cup white sugar, and half a lime (juice and skins) to a small saucepan

2. Heat over medium-low for 15 minutes, stirring continuously until a syrup forms, then discard the lime skins and let cool

3. Prepare the tapioca pearls according to package instructions

4. Add tapioca pearls and syrup to the bottom of your serving glass

5. Top with SKYY Vodka and fresh lime juice

6. Charge with sparkling water or club soda and gently stir

7. Serve

3. Mr Black Sugar Boba

This creamy, whiskey-forward drink dances with bittersweet notes of black sugar and boba.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon

• 0.75 oz Coffee liqueur

• 3 oz Whole milk

• 1 oz Black sugar simple syrup*

• 1 dash Vanilla extract

• 2 tbsp Tapioca pearls (boba)

• Ice

Method

1. Prepare the tapioca pearls according to the package instructions, then let them cool

2. Make the black sugar simple syrup by combining 1 cup black sugar (or dark brown sugar) with 1 cup water in a saucepan

3. Boil on medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then set aside to cool

4. Combine the cooled tapioca pearls with the black sugar syrup

5. Add two tablespoons of the syrupy pearls to a serving glass (reserve remaining syrup for future drinks)

6. Add whiskey, coffee liqueur, whole milk, and vanilla extract to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until cold

7. Strain into the glass with the boba pearls, stir gently, and enjoy with a boba straw

8. Serve

More whiskey cocktails to try: Kanpai! 10 Japanese Whisky Cocktails to Master

Firstly, Gen Z is leading the vanguard with their aim of living cleaner, so when these trendsetters can sneak in extra nutrients, they grab the chance to do so. Secondly, there is a big push around the globe to live more in tune with nature, which extends to sustainable cocktails as well. As such, savvy bartenders are using seasonal fruits, and now vegetables, as inspiration to lean into this trend.  

Also, it’s just fun to try something different – especially when it challenges your palate to accept a new notion. So, in the spirit of blazing the trail for tasty new things, here are 5 veggie-based Margaritas that are super delicious and simple to sip this season:  

1. The Jessica Rabbit

The Margarita has inspired countless amazing spin-offs over the years, and the Jessica Rabbit cocktail certainly is no exception. Combining 1½ oz Blanco tequila, ½ oz Grand Marnier, 2 oz carrot juice, 1 oz orange juice, ½ oz simple syrup, ½ oz lime juice, and 3 slices of jalapeño pepper, it is shaken up with ice and double-strained into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Finish it with a salted rim and a lime wheel for that full-on Margarita vibe. 

2. Margabeetas

Margabeetas are Margaritas made with – you guessed it! – beets. Beetroot juice contains heaps of nutrients, including folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, and iron. Combining 2 oz Blanco tequila (chilled), 2 oz beet juice (chilled), 1 oz lime juice, ½ oz Grand Marnier, a dash of simple syrup, a Margabeeta can be shaken or stirred, and is best enjoyed in a Margarita glass with an optional salted rim. Add a lime wedge for extra zest. 

3. Rosemary Rhubarb Margarita

Combining 2 oz Blanco tequila, ½ oz elderflower liqueur, ¾ oz lime juice, and ½ oz rhubarb and rosemary syrup this captivating cocktail is a little trickier to make but completely worth it. In order to get the earthy flavors, you need to make a simple syrup that is infused with rhubarb and rosemary.  

4. English Garden Margarita

This drink is an homage to all that is beautiful about springtime in the English countryside. It combines 1½ oz Blanco tequila, ½ oz Grand Marnier, ¾ oz lemon juice, ½ apricot liqueur, ½ oz Earl Grey tea (cooled), 2 sugar snap peas, 2 sprigs of mint, and a dash of pumpkin oil.  

The peas and mint are muddled in a shaker, after which the rest of the ingredients are added along with ice, and shaken until chilled. It is then double-strained into a Margarita glass with a rim of smoked salt for a beautifully complex botanical serve. 

5. Del Huerto Corn Cocktail 

If you love the earthy smell of grilled corn, this veggie cocktail is going to be right up your alley. It combines 2 oz Blanco tequila, 2 oz grilled corn, ¾ oz fresh lime juice, and ½ oz agave syrup. The corn is muddled in the shaker, after which the rest of the ingredients are added, along with ice, and shaken until well chilled. It is then double-strained into a rocks glass over fresh ice. 

There you have it – 5 vegetable Margaritas that have turned the notion of the liquid lunch on its head completely. Keen to try one? Go on, we double-dare you! Follow the cocktail route less traveled and get a nice dose of vitamins and minerals alongside your favorite tipple. #WINNING 

Learn how to make cocktails sparkle and the different drinks you can mix up at home. We suggest making these for a dazzling New Year’s Eve party or any special event that calls for a little glitz and glamor.  

What are sparkly cocktails?

Sparkly cocktails are exactly what they say they are: drinks that sparkle. While they’re perfect for glitzy celebrations, shimmery cocktails can also add a touch of magic to Halloween parties with a Witches Brew Cocktail or add extra festive vibes to classic Christmas cocktails. 

What you’ll need to make a cocktail sparkle

Shimmery cocktails can be made in different ways using different ingredients. These are our top two: 

• Edible / Cocktail glitter: Choose this to make drinks really sparkle! This is probably the most obvious choice. Available in different colours, adding edible glitter is tasteless so it won’t ruin the flavor of your drink. You can also find variations of edible or cocktail glitter that uses natural ingredients (like fruit and veg) to add color to the glitter. Shop around and see which brand you like best.  

• Luster dust: Choose this to add some shimmer and shine. Luster dust is a powder used in baking and candy decorating. It’s available in tons of varieties that all produce different effects so make sure you know what you’re buying. The most common are the original luster dust, available in a rainbow of colors. Then you get petal dust, which produces deep colors with a matte finish. Next up is pearl dust, which as the name suggests, creates a pearl-like translucent shimmer. If you mix this with petal dust you can add color and shine to your favorite drinks. One heads up on the luster dust situation though: Make sure you add it to your cocktail last minute and serve immediately. Your sparkly drink will turn lack-lustre in no time (or after about 20 minutes).  

How to mix glitter to your cocktails

Adding glitter to your cocktail is simple–especially once you know what you’re actually doing. The amount of glitter you’ll need will depend on the effect you’re trying to create. And that depends on two things:  

• The amount of sugar in the cocktail – the more sugar there is in the drink the more glittery it will become. 
• The color of the cocktail: If it’s a clear cocktail, it’s pretty easy to add any colored glitter. If the cocktail is already colored, say for instance with bourbon, then you’ll want to choose an edible glitter cocktail that will complement the drinks original color.  

Here’s how to make cocktails sparkle with cocktail glitter: 

• The first and most obvious step is to decide on the cocktail you’re making.  
• Shake it in: If you want to add some sparkle to a Cosmopolitan or Pornstar Martini, add some cocktail glitter to the shaker with the rest of the ingredients.  
• Stir it in: If you’re making a cocktail that calls for stirring, add the glitter after you’ve built the drink, and then stir it in. You’ll notice that the glitter fades after a while, but it comes back to life every time you stir it. For the ultimate surprise, let your guests discover their sparkly drink and serve the cocktail unstirred with swizzle sticks for easy stirring. They’ll be delighted! And, on that note, serve your glittery drink with swizzle stick.  

How to serve sparkly drinks

They’re already shining, but make your shimmery cocktails absolute showstoppers with these nifty tricks:  

• Colored sugar or salt rims: This will work well in any cocktail recipe that has a salted or sugared rim. You can easily make your own colored sugar or salt. Add the sugar (or coarse salt) to a jar. Add two drops of food coloring. Pop on the lid and shake like your life depends on it and until the color has blended in evenly. Pour out onto a flat surface and leave to air-dry for about 20 minutes before using it.  
• Sparklers: Secure a sparkler to the cocktail glass either by skewering it through a garnish item (like a strawberry) or by placing it inside the drink if possible. If you can, try finding the smaller versions, specially made for cakes and cocktails.  
• Glitter garnishes: Skewer some berries or cherries onto a cocktail stick. Sprinkle over edible glitter and decorate your cocktail with these show-stopping sparkling garnishes.  

Sparkly cocktail ideas

You can add sparkle to just about any cocktail! These are a few of our faves, but we beg you to play with different ideas.   

• Glitter Cosmo: Pour vodka, lime juice, orange liqueur, cranberry juice and a pinch of luster dust or edible glitter into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake for about 30 seconds and strain into a chilled glass.   
• Sparkly Blue Martini: Make this blue cocktail shine by adding a small pinch blue luster dust to the cocktail. For an extra snazzy effect, dip the rim of the glass into blue sugar before adding the drink.   
• Shimmering Bellini: Add some gold cocktail glitter and stir it into the glass just before serving for a beautiful golden swirly effect. 
• Witches Brew: Perfect for Halloween, make this hocus-pocus drink by adding green cocktail glitter to the ingredients when shaking it up.  

Easy vegan switches to make creamy vegan cocktails 

Fulfil all your creamy vegan cocktails desires and follow our easy guide to making vegan cocktails. Find all the vegan-friendly alternatives you need (and pitfalls to watch out for):    

• Sugar: Just a note for strict vegans (if you live here in the states), pretty snow white sugar is achieved by processing it with bone char (they call it natural carbon). To avoid this use beet or organic sugar with a vegan stamp 
• Egg white: If a drink calls for egg whites, aquafaba is a game changer. This liquid is what’s left over from a can of chickpeas so don’t ditch it after making hummus! You’ll need 40g of aquafaba to equal an egg white. Keep it chilled and whip it with a dash of simple syrup. We guarantee no chickpea flavor will reach your cocktails! 
•  Milk and creams: Opt your favorite nut or plant-based milk when a recipe calls for milk or cream. There are so many alternatives out there! Coconut cream makes a perfect cream substitute but remember, as delicious as creamy coconut is, it does alter the taste profile. For whipped cream, separate off the fatty cream part of the coconut cream and chill it before whipping 
• Texture and sweetness: Give your cocktail that all important texture and sweetness your creamy vegan cocktails deserve. Look out for the best vegan ice cream or gelato to join the mix  

• Ice: Always use larger ice cubes as they melt slower. Plant based milks can thin easily so we want to keep the ice around as long as possible 
• Pour like a pro: Pour nut milks over the back of a spoon to create the ripple effect dairy milk gives 
• Get experimental: For super quick nut milk, whizz a tablespoon or two of nut butter in the blender with a splash of water. This way you can pick the perfect thickness and consistency for your drink. Sweeten with maple or vanilla extract if you fancy. Store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator and use in 3 days in your coffee or hot chocolate 

Our favorite creamy vegan cocktails  

1. White Russian  

This easy 3 ingredient White Russian cocktail is arguably one of the best coffee cocktails you can serve. It’s made so quickly with just vodka, coffee liqueur and heavy cream. For a vegan option, swap out the heavy cream for a creamy oat milk so all of your guests can enjoy this indulgent yet delicious after dinner drink. 

2. Grasshopper  

This minty dessert cocktail is as retro as they come, and was super popular in the 50s, 60s and 70s. So famed, it made a special place on the IBA’s list of official cocktails. The Grasshopper is simple to pull off in a moment’s notice with just three ingredients: crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and heavy cream. Ditch the cream and use coconut milk or blitz in the blender with a scoop of your favorite vegan gelato for a dairy free alternative.  

3. Dirty Banana  

The Dirty Banana cocktail is a true island style 90s cocktail that hails from Jamaica, made with creamy rum, banana and a coffee kick! To make one bung ½ cup of crushed ice in a blender with 1½ oz Caribbean Trois Rivières White Rum, ¾ oz coffee liqueur and ¾ oz banana liqueur. Blitz it up with a chopped banana (the riper the better) and 2 oz of creamy plant based milk. Pour into a hurricane or highball glass and garnish with a slice of banana and a maraschino cherry. 

4. Coconut Gin Sour  

The origins of sours are hazy, but they were a sophisticated drink in the 1800s. Just imagine socialites sipping a sour in flapper dresses and dapper pin striped suit! For more island vibes, try this version, a holiday ready cocktail with the cheeky addition of coconut. To make one, add 2 oz of O’ndina Gin to your blender with ½ oz coconut cream (the thick fatty top), ½ oz of the coconut water (found underneath the cream) and ¾ oz fresh lime juice. Add a good handful of ice and whizz until smooth. Whip 40g of aquafaba with a tablespoon of simple syrup and some vanilla extract (optional). Pour your drink into a rocks glass and top with a spoon of whipped aquafaba! 

5. Clover Club

Try this pretty in pink berry cocktail, it’s a perfect serve whatever the occasion! A Clover Club cocktail is a dreamy gin sip, swirled with raspberry syrup. It tastes as fantastic as it looks! Typically, this wouldn’t be served with other creamy vegan cocktails as it’s shaken with egg white. But try our nifty swap of 40g of aquafaba: shake it on its own first to create the ideal froth. Adjust the sweetness with a little more syrup, if needed. This classic may become your favorite serve.  

6. Eggnog Martini 

Just because you follow a plant-based diet, don’t miss out on a delicious Eggnog Martini this winter! Make an easy vegan eggnog recipe with coconut cream and cashew or almond milk or pick one up from your local vegan friendly grocer. This Martini fills you with all the festive cheer you need! 

7. Golden Dream 

The fantastic Golden Dream cocktail has a firm seat on the IBA Top 50 cocktails list. You’ll happily skip dessert if this creamy vanilla and citrusy drink is on offer. It holds all the nostalgia of those childhood popsicles you enjoyed in the summertime. This 60s drink was whipped up by Miami bartender Raimundo Alvarez as an ode to his favorite golden girl of the moment, Joan Crawford. Alvarez’s recipe calls for need heavy cream but for a creamy vegan cocktail use either coconut cream or vegan ice cream. Delicioso! 

The craze started back in the early 2000s, when a creative New York City bartender made a bourbon and Coca-Cola mix that he smoked, and this oh-so dramatic trend has since seen classics revamped and modern masterpieces created. The inception of the smoking phenomenon is easy to understand if you imagine bourbon and whiskey aging in oak barrels, so the addition of the smoky notes into these drinks doesn’t feel like a stretch.

What is a smoked cocktail?

Smoking a drink is essentially bathing or infusing it with smoke. Just like there’s smoked salt or smoked fish, a drink, glass or cocktail ingredient can be smoked to impart a depth of flavor and smoky complexity into a cocktail, while at the same time being utterly intriguing.

Why you should try it

So why do people smoke cocktails? Apart from all the drama it adds, smoking a drink adds depth of flavor and really brings another dimension to the taste of your cocktail. Smoking cocktails adds extra aromatic appeal too so you can enhance the profiles of the flavor already in the mix. Some of the best cocktails to smoke are those with earthy herb notes, like Campari or bitters. Take a Negroni or an Old Fashioned, for example. The smoke will elevate the delicious subtle notes.

Can you smoke cocktails at home?

“Don’t try this at home” is not a warning that comes with smoking cocktails; it’s safe and relatively easy to smoke cocktails at home. Pro bartenders typically smoke the snifter or whiskey glass with a fandangled wooden gadget called a smoke top, or a cap filled with woodchips. Assuming you don’t have any fancy cocktail making kit at home, let’s talk you through the technique that aficionados call smoke-rinsing.

Before you get going, here are a few things to think about:

Choosing your smoke: Think about what flavors would enhance your cocktail, then choose a combustible material to match like wood chips, whole spices (i.e., a cinnamon stick), leaf tea, tobacco or woody fragrant herbs like lavender or rosemary. Experiment and have fun. 

Determine what you want:

For a light smoky aroma to enhance your drink, smoke your cocktail once poured. If you own a cake dome or large metal bowl, place your cocktail in the glass on a heatproof surface next to your (lit) smoking chips, cover both with the dome or bowl and allow it to smoke briefly.

If you prefer a stronger smoky taste that blends or permeates your drink, then smoke your glass before pouring in your cocktail. The smoke will stick to the surface of the glass and ice. Learn how:

Smoke-rinsing your glass or wide-mouthed jar:  

1. Start with a chilled glass or mason jar —smoke sticks better to cold glasses
2. Take a piece of rosemary or woodchips and place it on a heatproof marble or tile surface that you don’t mind charring up a bit
3. Light the rosemary or chips with a blowtorch or a long match
4. Put out any flames and place your glass or jar, turned upside down, over the smoking rosemary and allow it to fill up with smoke
5. Once the smoke dissipates, turn your glass upright and pour in your cocktail

The trick is to treat the smoke as an ingredient, so it blends into your cocktail rather than

overpowering it. For example, in a pineapple margarita, for a delicate smoke, you can smoke the pineapple juice in a glass or mason jar before blending it with the other ingredients.

What are the essential tools?

If you are more invested in this technique, look out simple cold smoking kits like smoke tops, consisting of a small disc of wood (with a hole in the center) that seals your glass, with an indent to light a sprinkle of chips and a small hole that infuses smoke into your cocktail in less than a minute.

For a next level experience there is a more sophisticated gadget called a smoking gun, where you load chips into the device and the smoke is infused via a tube with a spout.

To give it a try, you’ll need:

• An assortment of flavored woodchips or woody herbs: try cherry, applewood or mesquite or herbs like rosemary, sage or lavender
• A vessel in which to smoke your cocktail: a large mason jar with a lid or a pitcher with a flat top that you can place a saucer on to seal in the smoke
• Matches, a lighter with a long spout or a blowtorch.

TOP TIP: Avoid butane taste – don’t light your blowtorch right on your smoke top or glass

Why add egg white to cocktails?

Not only does egg white add visual appeal to your cocktail, as it gives your drink a creamy head, it also elevates the overall flavor and balance of your cocktail. Cocktails that are overtly sour get their balance restored by the addition of the frothy egg white for a silky-smooth mouthfeel. And don’t worry – adding egg whites will NOT make your cocktail taste like egg! We pinky promise!

Egg white is made up of proteins and, when shaken, the proteins emulsify, trapping the air in amongst it to give your cocktail a silken meringue like texture. The texture is not as dense or solid as if you’d whipped up on a meringue; instead, it gives a smooth whipped cream texture. This aeration helps change the texture and body of your drink without altering the taste, so add egg whites to cocktails if you need to soften the sour, add richness and give texture. Clever, right?

How to include egg whites in your cocktail

A lot of cocktail recipes stress the importance of shaking your cocktail over ice. However, when making egg white cocktails, you must never shake your egg whites over ice! Adding ice would reduce the body that the egg whites bring as it dilutes it. What’s more, achieving the perfect frothy head works better at room temperature. So, you can still shake your drinks, just without the ice! Give your cocktails about one minute of vigorous shaking to achieve a nice froth before straining it into your glass. You can also blend or froth it in your blender if you have one.

Our favorite classic egg white cocktails

The technique of adding foamy egg white to cocktails is not a new fad – it’s actually been around for many centuries! You’ll no doubt recognize some of the classic cocktails that enjoy a little foamy magic, such as pretty-in-pink Clover Club Cocktail, which bartenders have been mixing up since the beginning of the 1900s, and the Million Dollar cocktail, a martini-style drink with gin, sweet vermouth, pineapple juice, grenadine and topped with egg white foam. Get started at home with the oh so familiar Whiskey Sour, shaking egg whites up with bourbon, a dash of lemon juice, a little simple syrup and a dash of Angostura bitters.

Modern egg white cocktails

Other modern frothy numbers worth a try are:

• Chicago Fizz: a chic and delightful mix of ruby port and rum shaken with egg white to create a pretty pink fizz sipped in a Colins glass.

• Pisco Sour: it has a South American brandy base called Pisco, distilled from grapes that has unusually strong floral notes for brandy. Being Peruvian, this cocktail enjoys a healthy squeeze of lime, making this a refreshing sip on a hot summer’s day
• Lemongrass Sour: our latest cocktail crush is a tangy mix of lemongrass infused vodka for a zesty modern twist to the Whiskey Sour

Holiday egg cocktails

The Christmas holidays are a popular time to make enriched drinks to enjoy fireside. An eggnog (or two) helps to fend off the icy cold winters and keep us all warm at heart. Although these aren’t strictly egg white whipping cocktails, if you are partial to eggnog, then you’ll enjoy an Eggnog Martini or a Tom and Jerry for ultimate comfort vibes.

Vegan-friendly versions

Don’t let the fact that you are plant based stop you from sipping a foamy topped cocktail — have you heard of aquafaba? This game changing liquid comes from a can of chickpeas so, next time you’re making hummus, don’t ditch the liquid down the drain! Instead, save it for that moment when you’re craving a pretty Clover Club Cocktail. It can be used just as you would egg whites; you’ll need 40g of aquafaba to equal an egg white and we promise it won’t make your favorite drink taste of garbanzo beans!