1
CREATE A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT.
THE ATMOSPHERE ADDS TO THE PLEASURE OF TASTING
It's a lot easier to concentrate on the sensations you're experiencing when you're sitting comfortably, isn't it? So create a welcoming atmosphere: the way the furniture is arranged, lighting, colours, materials, and music.
A word of warning about indoor fragrances! They can interfere with your sense of smell and taste. Blow out any perfumed candles.
It's a lot easier to concentrate on the sensations you're experiencing when you're sitting comfortably, isn't it? So create a welcoming atmosphere: the way the furniture is arranged, lighting, colours, materials, and music.
A word of warning about indoor fragrances! They can interfere with your sense of smell and taste. Blow out any perfumed candles.
2
INTRODUCE YOUR GUESTS
TO THE ART OF COCKTAILS AND DO THEM TOGETHER
What if you were barman for an evening? Try it, by making your cocktails in front of your guests. Prepare the glasses and ingredients in advance and live the moment! You can't beat a demonstration to illustrate a recipe and reveal the secrets of its success. You can even suggest that your guests mix their own cocktails. Together, you'll pay even more attention to the aromas and flavours.
What if you were barman for an evening? Try it, by making your cocktails in front of your guests. Prepare the glasses and ingredients in advance and live the moment! You can't beat a demonstration to illustrate a recipe and reveal the secrets of its success. You can even suggest that your guests mix their own cocktails. Together, you'll pay even more attention to the aromas and flavours.
3
CHOOSE AN APPROPIATE GLASS
FOR YOUR COCKTAIL
Don't neglect the importance of the glass in preparing a cocktail. The professionals know this is key. For the best results, find the right balance between container and content. Some tips to help you choose:
- A wider opening allows the aromas to diffuse. A narrow glass concentrates aromas.
- A coloured glass creates surprise. Clear glass brings out the colour of the cocktail.
- Serve a beverage with intense aromas in a chunky, heavy glass; use a finer, more fragile glass for more delicate recipes.
Don't neglect the importance of the glass in preparing a cocktail. The professionals know this is key. For the best results, find the right balance between container and content. Some tips to help you choose:
- A wider opening allows the aromas to diffuse. A narrow glass concentrates aromas.
- A coloured glass creates surprise. Clear glass brings out the colour of the cocktail.
- Serve a beverage with intense aromas in a chunky, heavy glass; use a finer, more fragile glass for more delicate recipes.
4
STICK TO THE RIGHT QUANTITIES
TO BALANCE ALCOHOL AND FLAVOURS
Sticking to the recipe also means you don't exceed the amount of alcohol stated. Just a little too much can completely disrupt the balance of flavours. And too much alcohol can also spoil your enjoyment, in addition to your cocktail.
The tastes that make up the recipes are subtle, so it's worth remembering to measure each ingredient carefully. Read the section The art of measuring for more information.
Sticking to the recipe also means you don't exceed the amount of alcohol stated. Just a little too much can completely disrupt the balance of flavours. And too much alcohol can also spoil your enjoyment, in addition to your cocktail.
The tastes that make up the recipes are subtle, so it's worth remembering to measure each ingredient carefully. Read the section The art of measuring for more information.
5
KEEP THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE
SO THAT THE FLAVOURS ARE AT THEIR BEST
It's easy to forget, but in addition to degrees of alcohol, degrees of temperature can also alter the taste of a cocktail. Ice cold or at room temperature, each drink reveals different flavours.
Control the temperature of your cocktail by freezing your glasses or carefully adding ice cubes. And why not get hold of a wine or tea thermometer so you can serve your beverages at the optimal temperature?
It's easy to forget, but in addition to degrees of alcohol, degrees of temperature can also alter the taste of a cocktail. Ice cold or at room temperature, each drink reveals different flavours.
Control the temperature of your cocktail by freezing your glasses or carefully adding ice cubes. And why not get hold of a wine or tea thermometer so you can serve your beverages at the optimal temperature?
6
PROVIDE SOME FOOD TO GO WITH YOUR BRINKS,
TO SLOW DOWN THE DRINKING AND HAVE MORE FUN
To make your tasting a success, serve something to eat along with your cocktails. If you choose the food carefully, it will be an excellent accompaniment to the drinks you serve and the tasting will be even richer in flavours.
Serving both food and drinks also makes the occasion more fun. You drink more slowly when you eat as well! And that also helps to slow down the absorption of alcohol in the blood and delay its effects.
So, what to serve with your cocktails?
We have put together some great ideas for combining food and drink on www.cocktailsetcie.com.
To make your tasting a success, serve something to eat along with your cocktails. If you choose the food carefully, it will be an excellent accompaniment to the drinks you serve and the tasting will be even richer in flavours.
Serving both food and drinks also makes the occasion more fun. You drink more slowly when you eat as well! And that also helps to slow down the absorption of alcohol in the blood and delay its effects.
So, what to serve with your cocktails?
We have put together some great ideas for combining food and drink on www.cocktailsetcie.com.
7
CLEANSE YOUR PALATE
WITH A GLASS OF WATER
Why should you serve your guests a glass of chilled water before each tasting? Because it's a neutral beverage that will awaken the sensitivity of the taste buds, as well as rehydrating the body. The palate and the tongue are then ready for tasting!
You can use this refreshment to give your guests a little mineral water tasting test, we sometimes forget just how different water can taste.
Or serve a glass of water flavoured with a few drops of lemon juice or a slice of cucumber, for a change
Why should you serve your guests a glass of chilled water before each tasting? Because it's a neutral beverage that will awaken the sensitivity of the taste buds, as well as rehydrating the body. The palate and the tongue are then ready for tasting!
You can use this refreshment to give your guests a little mineral water tasting test, we sometimes forget just how different water can taste.
Or serve a glass of water flavoured with a few drops of lemon juice or a slice of cucumber, for a change
8
TAKE YOUR TIME TO ENJOY
THE TASTING OCCASION TO THE FULL
You need to take time to really taste, to enjoy the flavours or allow unknown tastes to surprise you. In a way, this is the basis of Slow Drinking. Time to talk to other people, to share sensations, quite simply, to savour the moment. Tasting an alcoholic beverage is a special moment in which there are several stages if you want to enjoy the full benefit of the flavours, and the range of nuances on offer. Sight, smell and of course taste are all required. To wake up your senses, give them the time that they deserve. You'll find our tips in the section Practice Slow Drinking / Know how to taste.
You need to take time to really taste, to enjoy the flavours or allow unknown tastes to surprise you. In a way, this is the basis of Slow Drinking. Time to talk to other people, to share sensations, quite simply, to savour the moment. Tasting an alcoholic beverage is a special moment in which there are several stages if you want to enjoy the full benefit of the flavours, and the range of nuances on offer. Sight, smell and of course taste are all required. To wake up your senses, give them the time that they deserve. You'll find our tips in the section Practice Slow Drinking / Know how to taste.
9
INVOLVE ALL OF YOUR SENSES
AND THOSE OF YOUR GUESTS
Paying attention to your senses is about using your eyes, your nose, and your palate and listening to what they have to say. When you actually pay attention to them, it can be quite surprising to discover the wealth of aromas that stimulate our senses! Have you heard of retro-nasal olfaction? It's the natural mechanism by which aromas rise from the palate to the nose, where they meet the olfactory sensors, at the moment when you breathe out. With a little practice you'll soon have mastered the art like a professional! Find words to describe your sensations by consulting our lexicons The Language and découvrez Practice Slow Drinking.
Paying attention to your senses is about using your eyes, your nose, and your palate and listening to what they have to say. When you actually pay attention to them, it can be quite surprising to discover the wealth of aromas that stimulate our senses! Have you heard of retro-nasal olfaction? It's the natural mechanism by which aromas rise from the palate to the nose, where they meet the olfactory sensors, at the moment when you breathe out. With a little practice you'll soon have mastered the art like a professional! Find words to describe your sensations by consulting our lexicons The Language and découvrez Practice Slow Drinking.
10
SHARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS
WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Pleasure is made for sharing. Gathering and tasting together makes an excellent fun occasion. But to describe the sensations you experience and compare your impressions, you need the right words. It's not that easy to describe a flavour! Is it sweet, savoury, bitter, acidic, spicy or tart?
Use the fragrances of flowers, fruits, spices, everything you're already familiar with and which can be used as comparison.
You'll find our lexicon in the section The Language. It will help you analyse your sensations correctly.
Pleasure is made for sharing. Gathering and tasting together makes an excellent fun occasion. But to describe the sensations you experience and compare your impressions, you need the right words. It's not that easy to describe a flavour! Is it sweet, savoury, bitter, acidic, spicy or tart?
Use the fragrances of flowers, fruits, spices, everything you're already familiar with and which can be used as comparison.
You'll find our lexicon in the section The Language. It will help you analyse your sensations correctly.
For your safety and that of your loved ones, the Slow Drinking team reminds you of the importance of not driving after drinking alcohol!