WSET® Level 1 Spirits > Mixing with Spirits > Flashcards

Mixing with Spirits Flashcards

This deck re-enforces the core principles of creating balanced cocktails and the basics of key cocktail families, from which classic cocktails are derived. (75 cards)

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1
Q

What will an outstanding cocktail show?

A

Many of the characteristics with which we measure excellence in a spirit.

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2
Q

What can separate a good cocktail from a great cocktail?

A

Balance

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3
Q

What are the two “scales” used to achieve balance in a cocktail?

A
  1. strong v weak2. bitter/sour v sweet
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4
Q

What is the strong component in a cocktail?

A

The base spirit| These are generally 40% abv or higher

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5
Q

What is often considered the centerpiece of the cocktail’s flavor profile?

A

The base spirit

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6
Q

What is/are the “weak” component(s) of a cocktail?

A

Mainly the dilution provided by (melted) ice, as well as other optional, non-alcoholic ingredients| Ice is melted by stirring or shaking - which is key to a great cocktail

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7
Q

What non-alcoholic ingredients may be used in cocktails?

A

Many options, including:* juices* coffee/espresso* dairy products* flavored sodas* tonics* club soda

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8
Q

Beyond the strong and weak components of a cocktail, what other key ingredients are often used?

A

A modifier that is bitter and/or sour

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9
Q

How can sweetness be added to a cocktail?

A

Many forms, including:* sugar* simple syrups* liqueurs

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10
Q

What happens if a cocktail is too sweet?

A

It becomes cloying and unpleasant

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11
Q

What is used to balance sweetness in a cocktail?

A

By using sour/acidic ingredients such as citrus juices, or a bitter ingredient (cocktail bitters).

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12
Q

What elements can an aromatised wine bring to a cocktail?

A

Multiple, and at the same time - sweetness, bitterness, and acidity

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13
Q

What are the four key components of any cocktail?

A
  1. strong2. weak3. sweet4. bitter/sour
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14
Q

Name the two categories of mixed drinks:

A
  1. short drinks2. long drinks
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15
Q

What defines a short drink?

A
  • limited number of ingredients* dilution through shaking or stirring with ice
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16
Q

How is the short drink category further divided?

A
  • sour cocktails* spirit forward cocktails
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17
Q

Where do long drinks get there volume?

A

**Weak components **consisting of sodas, juices, dairy, and other non-alcoholic products.

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18
Q

Name two key styles of the long drink:

A
  1. highball2. long sour
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19
Q

What will ice provide to a drink?

A

Dilution and Chilling

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20
Q

What does a spirit forward cocktail ‘celebrate’?

A

The core strong ingredient

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21
Q

What is the strong ingredient in an Old Fashioned?

A

Bourbon| other strong ingredients can be used as welll, such as Rum

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22
Q

What is the strong ingredient in a Sazerac cocktail?

A

Cognac or Rye Whiskey

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23
Q

What is the strong ingredient in a **Rusty Nail **cocktail?

A

Scotch

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24
Q

What is the strong ingredient in a Manhattan cocktail?

A

Rye Whiskey or Bourbon

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25
What is the strong ingredient in a **Martini** cocktail?
**Gin**| Modern Martini drinkers often consider Vodka to be the standard
26
What is the strong ingredient in a **Negroni** cocktail?
**Gin**
27
What is the bitter ingredient in a **Martini** cocktail?
Dry Vermouth
28
What is the bitter ingredient in a **Negroni** cocktail?
Campari
29
What is the bitter ingredient in a **Manhattan** cocktail?
**Angostura bitters**
30
What is the bitter ingredient in a **Sazerac** cocktail?
Peychaud's Bitters, Absinthe
31
What is the bitter ingredient in a **Old Fashioned** cocktail?
Angostura Bitters
32
What is the sweet ingredient in a **Martini** cocktail?
Dry Vermouth
33
What is the bitter ingredient in a **Negroni** cocktail?
Campari
34
What is the sweet ingredient in a **Manhattan** cocktail?
Sweet Vermouth
35
What is the bitter ingredient in a **Rusty Nail** cocktail?
**Drambuie**
36
What is the bitter ingredient in a **Sazerac** cocktail?
**Peychaud's Bitters**
37
What is the sweet ingredient in an **Old Fashioned** cocktail?
Sugar Cube or Simple Syrup
38
What ingredient is common the **Alexander** family of cocktails?
the addition of **Cream**
39
What drink category is made using a classic combination of **spirit**, **citrus** and **unflavored sweetener** (ie: simple syrup)?
The classic **Short Sours**| some recipes may include egg whites for added foam and silky texture
40
What is **Aquafaba**?
'Bean water' and is used as a vegan alternative to egg whites in cocktails
41
What is the strong ingredient in a **Pisco Sour** cocktail?
Pisco
42
What is the strong ingredient in a **Whiskey Sour** cocktail?
Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
43
What is the strong ingredient in a **Daiquiri** cocktail?
Rum
44
What is the sour ingredient in a **Pisco Sour** cocktail?
Lime Juice
45
What is the sour ingredient in a **Whiskey Sour** cocktail?
Lemon Juice
46
What is the sour ingredient in a **Daiquiri** cocktail?
Lime Juice
47
What is the sweet ingredient in a **Pisco Sour** cocktail?
Simple syrup
48
What is the sweet ingredient in a **Whiskey Sour** cocktail?
Simple Syrup
49
What is the sweet ingredient in a **Daiquiri** cocktail?
Simple Syrup
50
Aside from the strong, sweet and sour ingredients, what else is added to a **Pisco Sour** cocktail?
Include an egg white and a dash of bitters| lots of shaking is needed to build a thick, foamy head
51
Aside from the strong, sweet and sour ingredients, what else is added to a **Whiskey Sour** cocktail?
egg white (optional) and bitters
52
Modifying a classic short sour to make a **Sidecar** cocktail, involves what?
Using Cognac, lemnon juice, and triple sec
53
Modifying a classic short sour to make a **Margarita** cocktail, involves what?
Tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and a salt rim (optional)
54
Modifying a classic short sour to make a **Clover Club** cocktail, involves what?
Using Gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, egg white and vermouth (optional)
55
At its basic level, what is a **highball** cocktail?
A long drink served over cubed ice| this is also referred to sometimes as a wash drink
56
What is a **Cuba Libre**?
Highball made using rum and Coke
57
What is a **Greyhound** cocktail?
Highball cocktail made using vodka and grapefruit juice
58
What is a **Horse's Neck** cocktail?
Highball made using Cognac, ginger ale and bitters
59
What is an **Americano** cocktail?
Highball cocktail made using Campari, sweet vermouth and club soda| Americanized version of the Negroni
60
In its simplest form, what are **Long Drinks**?
Short sours that have been turned into a long drink through the addition of club soda.
61
What is the strong ingredient for a **Tom Collins** cocktail?
Gin
62
What is the strong ingredient for a **Paloma** cocktail?
Tequila
63
What is the strong ingredient for a **French 75** cocktail?
Cognac or Gin
64
What is the strong ingredient for a **Mojito** cocktail?
Rum
65
What is the strong ingredient for a **Singapore Sling** cocktail?
Gin
66
What is the sour ingredient for a **Tom Collins** cocktail?
Lemon juice
67
What is the sour ingredient for a **Paloma** cocktail?
Lime juice
68
What is the sour ingredient for a **French 75** cocktail?
Lemon juice / Champagne
69
What is the sour ingredient for a **Mojito** cocktail?
Lime juice
70
What is the sweet ingredient for a **Tom Collins** cocktail?
Simple syrup
71
What is the sweet ingredient for a **Paloma** cocktail?
Mexican grapefruit soda
72
What is the sweet ingredient for a **French 75** cocktail?
Simple Syrup
73
What is the sweet ingredient for a **Mojito** cocktail?
Sugar or simple syrup
74
What is the sweet ingredient for a **Singapore Sling** cocktail?
Cherry Heering/Benedictine
75
What is the sour ingredient for a **Singapore Sling** cocktail?
Lime juice
WSET® Level 1 Spirits
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