Simply Brilliant Cocktail Class

By Megan McGrath, Punch Palate Correspondent

I dabble in drinking cocktails, but I’ve never really spent much time making them.   My dad and my friend are former bartenders, so I’m usually just in charge of the food.  Sometimes the standard beer and wine selection can get a bit dull.  Especially, when I’m throwing a dinner party.  Labor Day anyone?  Thankfully, I attended a Simple Syrups class last week at One Lounge with entertaining extraordinaire, Dana Onyewu from casaKCD.com, and mixology mastermind, Anthony Rivera from dldglg.com.  The two of them taught me there was nothing to fear, and that simple syrups are not only easy to concoct, but also extremely versatile!

Dana Onyewu

Did you know that a basic simple syrup is just equal parts water and sugar, and has a shelf life of up to four weeks?  Dana and Anthony’s class also taught me that there are four easy ways to infuse or add flavors to syrups.

Syrup Setup

4 Ways to Infuse a Simple Syrup:

1.  Substitute basic ingredients.  You can replace the sugar in your simple syrup with agave or honey, or replace the water with a flavored water or juice.

2.  Use spices.  Crush and toast whole spices and steep them with your simple syrup, then simmer for 5 mins.  Use hard spices like cloves or star anise.

3.  Use essential oils.  These are 100 percent organic, and are steamed to push all of the oil out of a spice.  Add just a drop or two to your sugar water and then give a good shake.

4.  Add an aromatic.  Examples of these include rose water or orange blossom.  Add a tsp at a time so as not to over-power the drink.

After explaining these methods, Anthony and Dana let the class sample some of their creative cocktails employing these techniques.  Please note Dana’s adorable stirrers!  Full recipes will be posted on Dana’s blog casaKDC.com and the the syrups will be available on Athony’s blog dldglg.com.  Mix and match to find your new signature drink!

A New Take on an Old Fashioned

First up, a new take on the Old Fashioned.  Their version of this drink included whiskey, a simple syrup of maple and star anise, orange bitters, and apple vinegar (don’t be scared-it’s a shrub, more on that later).

Wascally Wabbit Drink

Second, was my favorite cocktail of the evening!  Anthony named it the Wascally Wabbit, and thank goodness a similar version of this drink is served at PS7, where he works.  This drink was a combination of Blue Coat gin, lime juice, a carrot and allspice syrup, a little egg white for the froth and a fresh sprig of mint.  Sweet, with a hint of spice, and it had a fresh from the garden taste.

Grog with Cinnamon & Clove Syrup

The third and final drink was a Grog.  Anthony and Dana called this drink tiki-style, and it featured Chairman’s Reserve rum, lemon and lime juice, and a cinnamon and clove simple syrup.  I can picture myself pool-side or beach-side sipping on this fruity drink.  Where’s my umbrella?

Dana and Anthony Mix It Up With Guests

I felt like there were so many clever take-aways from this class!  I loved the casual vibe and all questions are welcome format.  Participants even left with their own craft syrup after experimenting with essential oils.  Here are a few terms and tips from Anthony and Dana.

Anthony’s cocktail terms of art.

• Flips are drinks using egg whites and yolks.
• Shrubs are simple syrups with a small portion of vinegar, to give it depth.  Don’t go overboard here or you’ll definitely come off as a rookie.  We’re talking a half oz of vinegar to about 2 oz of syrups.
• Grenadines are actually pomegranate juice-based, and are mixed in equal parts with raw sugar.  Anthony recommends stepping up your grenadine by adding pomegranate molasses.

Dana’s tips for simple syrup-based entertaining.

• Perfect your party by prepping your glasses in advance.  Put a small amount of simple syrup in them and store them in the fridge.  Once your guests arrive, top them off with some fizzy prosecco or champagne.
• Make your drinks in advance by using a simple syrup in a punch.  Think a spicy sangria, where flavors blend together a day in advance.
• Plan your party using one theme that can be found throughout the course of the meal and in your beverages.  Try a fresh citrus fiesta!

I can’t wait to test some of these out!  Must place my next spice order from Penzeys stat!