Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Rick's WSET 2 in Spirits > 12 - Mixing with Spirits > Flashcards

12 - Mixing with Spirits Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
WSET ® Level 1 Spirits flashcards WSET ® Level 3 Spirits flashcards WSET ® Level 2 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 1 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 3 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 2 Spirits flashcards WSET® Level 4 Wine flashcards
1
Q

What really separates a good cocktail from a great cocktail?

A

Balance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the two sets of scales used to achieve balance?

A

Strong vs. weak
Bitter/sour vs sweet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the strong element of a cocktail?

A

The base spirit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is generally the abv of a base spirit in a cocktail

A

40%+

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the simplest form of ‘weak’ when crafting a cocktail?

A

Dilution provided by ice through stirring or shaking

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Besides water/ice, what else might constitute a ‘weak’ element in a cocktail?

A

Juice
Dairy products
Sodas
Tonics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

It’s common for a cocktail to be sweetened and then seasoned with another ingredient, called a …

A

Modifier

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the purpose of a modifier in a cocktail?

A

To provide a bitter and/or sour counterpoint

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Name three ways in which sweetness may be added to a cocktail

A

Sugar
Simple syrups
Liqueurs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How is sweetness usually balanced in a cocktail?

A

By sour or bitter ingredients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is most commonly used to add bitterness to a cocktail?

A

Cocktail bitters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Bitterness and/or sourness can be added to a cocktail by a…ingredient

A

Single

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the key to balancing the key components of a cocktail successfully?

A

Balancing them so none of the components dominate at the expense of others

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Mixed drinks can be divided into what two categories?

A

Short drinks
Long drinks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Briefly describe short drinks

A

They tend to have a limited number of ingredients
They tend to rely on dilution through shaking or stirring with ice

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

List the two major sub-categories of short drinks

A

Spirit-forward cocktails
Short sour cocktails

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How do long drinks typically compare with short drinks?

A

They’re typically higher volume
The weak component is often provided through sodas, juices, dairy products or other non-alcoholic beverages

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

List the two major sub-categories of long drinks

A

The highball
The long sour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

These cocktails are higher in alcohol than others…

A

Spirit-forward cocktails

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Describe spirit-forward cocktails in their simplest form

A

They can be a combination of a spirit with sugars and bitters or a combination of a spirit and liqueur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

How might more complex variations of spirit-forward cocktails be composed?

A

Using various combinations of sugar, aromatised wine and bitters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

How is ice generally used in spirit-forward cocktails?

A

For dilution AND chilling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How are spirit-forward cocktails typically mixed?

A

They are generally built or stirred

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

All spirit-forward cocktails celebrate…

A

Their core strong ingredient

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Name two whisky-forward cocktails featuring Angostura Bitters

A

Manhattan
Old Fashioned

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What makes the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned distinct from one another?

A

The complexity of the sweet vermouth in the Manhattan

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

How is an Alexander created?

A

By adding cream to a spirit-forward cocktail

28
Q

Name six of the most famous spirit-forward cocktails

A

Old Fashioned
Sazerac
Rusty Nail
Manhattan
Martini
Negroni

29
Q

Name the three core ingredients of an Old Fashioned

A

Bourbon
Angostura bitters
Sugar cube

30
Q

Name the core ingredients of a Sazerac

A

Cognac or Rye
Peychaud’s Bitters and Absinthe
Sugar

31
Q

Name the core ingredients of a Rusty Nail

A

Scotch
Drambuie

32
Q

Name the core ingredients of a Manhattan

A

Rye or Bourbon
Angostura bitters
Sweet vermouth

33
Q

Name the core ingredients of a Martini

A

Gin
Dry vermouth

34
Q

Name the core ingredients of a Negroni

A

Gin
Campari
Sweet vermouth

35
Q

What is the classic taste balance used to make a short sour?

A

Strong
Sour
Sweet

36
Q

How are ingredients mixed in creating a short sour?

A

Shaking

37
Q

How are ingredients chilled in creating a short sour?

A

Shaking

38
Q

Besides mixing and chilling, what else does shaking bring to the table? In which family of cocktails is this most important?

A

A light, airy texture
Dilution
Short sours

39
Q

What ingredients are classically used in a short sour?

A

Spirit
Citrus juice
Unflavoured sweetener (e.g. syrup)

40
Q

What extra ingredient can be used in a short sour?

A

Egg white

41
Q

What can the inclusion of egg white bring to a cocktail?

A

A foamy head and a silky texture

42
Q

In which short sour is egg white essential?

A

Pisco sour

43
Q

Name a vegan alternative to egg white used in cocktails

A

Aquafaba (chickpea water)

44
Q

How might a more complex short sour add to the basic formula?

A

By adding a flavoured sweetening ingredient and/or a different sour ingredient

45
Q

Name three classic short sours

A

Pisco sour
Whisky sour
Daiquiri

46
Q

Name the ingredients in a Pisco Sour

A

Pisco
Lime juice
Simple syrup
Egg white and a dash of bitters

47
Q

Name the ingredients in a Whiskey Sour

A

Bourbon or Rye whiskey
Lemon juice
Simple syrup
Optional egg white and bitters

48
Q

Name the ingredients in a Daiquiri

A

Rum
Lime Juice
Simple syrup

49
Q

Name three short sours made by modifying the classic formula

A

Sidecar
Margarita
Clover Club

50
Q

Name the ingredients in a Sidecar

A

Cognac
Lemon juice
Triple sec

51
Q

Name the ingredients in a Margarita

A

Tequila
Lime juice
Triple sec
Salt rim (optional)

52
Q

Name the ingredients in a Clover Club

A

Gin
Lemon juice
Raspberry syrup
Egg white and optional vermouth

53
Q

…is the simplest of all mixed drinks/cocktails

A

The highball

54
Q

Name three of the most obvious examples of a simple highball

A

Gin and tonic
Vodka and tonic
Whisky and soda

55
Q

Give examples of three named highballs

A

Cuba Libre
Greyhound
Horse’s Neck

56
Q

What is in a Cuba Libre?

A

Rum and coke with lime

57
Q

What is in a Greyhound?

A

Vodka and grapefruit juice

58
Q

What is in a Horse’s Neck?

A

Cognac, ginger ale and bitters

59
Q

Name a highball that is composed slightly differently

A

Americano

60
Q

How is the Americano different to other highballs? What does it contain?

A

It has a split base
Campari, sweet vermouth and club soda

61
Q

This family of cocktails includes several sub-categories, including…
What is the family?

A

The Collins, the Sling and the Sparkling Sour
The long sour

62
Q

What is a long sour in its simplest form? Give an example

A

A short sour that’s been turned into a long drink by adding club soda
Tom Collins

63
Q

What is a Paloma?

A

Tequila
Lime Juice
Mexican grapefruit soda
(Alternatively mix with grapefruit juice and soda water)

64
Q

What is a French 75?

A

Gin
Lemon juice
Simple syrup
Top with Champagne

65
Q

Give two examples of long sours which are enhanced by extra ingredients (listing the extra ingredients too)

A

Mojito (mint)
Singapore Sling (liqueur)

66
Q

What is a Tom Collins?

A

Gin
Lemon juice
Simple syrup
Club soda

67
Q

What is in a Mojito?

A

Rum
Lime juice
Sugar/simple syrup
Mint leaves

Rick's WSET 2 in Spirits (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions