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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.

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
Q

What is the strong ingredient in a Martini cocktail?

A

Gin| Modern Martini drinkers often consider Vodka to be the standard

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26
Q

What is the strong ingredient in a Negroni cocktail?

A

Gin

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27
Q

What is the bitter ingredient in a Martini cocktail?

A

Dry Vermouth

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28
Q

What is the bitter ingredient in a Negroni cocktail?

A

Campari

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29
Q

What is the bitter ingredient in a Manhattan cocktail?

A

Angostura bitters

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30
Q

What is the bitter ingredient in a Sazerac cocktail?

A

Peychaud’s Bitters, Absinthe

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31
Q

What is the bitter ingredient in a Old Fashioned cocktail?

A

Angostura Bitters

32
Q

What is the sweet ingredient in a Martini cocktail?

A

Dry Vermouth

33
Q

What is the bitter ingredient in a Negroni cocktail?

A

Campari

34
Q

What is the sweet ingredient in a Manhattan cocktail?

A

Sweet Vermouth

35
Q

What is the bitter ingredient in a Rusty Nail cocktail?

A

Drambuie

36
Q

What is the bitter ingredient in a Sazerac cocktail?

A

Peychaud’s Bitters

37
Q

What is the sweet ingredient in an Old Fashioned cocktail?

A

Sugar Cube or Simple Syrup

38
Q

What ingredient is common the Alexander family of cocktails?

A

the addition of Cream

39
Q

What drink category is made using a classic combination of spirit, citrus and unflavored sweetener (ie: simple syrup)?

A

The classic Short Sours| some recipes may include egg whites for added foam and silky texture

40
Q

What is Aquafaba?

A

‘Bean water’ and is used as a vegan alternative to egg whites in cocktails

41
Q

What is the strong ingredient in a Pisco Sour cocktail?

A

Pisco

42
Q

What is the strong ingredient in a Whiskey Sour cocktail?

A

Bourbon or Rye Whiskey

43
Q

What is the strong ingredient in a Daiquiri cocktail?

A

Rum

44
Q

What is the sour ingredient in a Pisco Sour cocktail?

A

Lime Juice

45
Q

What is the sour ingredient in a Whiskey Sour cocktail?

A

Lemon Juice

46
Q

What is the sour ingredient in a Daiquiri cocktail?

A

Lime Juice

47
Q

What is the sweet ingredient in a Pisco Sour cocktail?

A

Simple syrup

48
Q

What is the sweet ingredient in a Whiskey Sour cocktail?

A

Simple Syrup

49
Q

What is the sweet ingredient in a Daiquiri cocktail?

A

Simple Syrup

50
Q

Aside from the strong, sweet and sour ingredients, what else is added to a Pisco Sour cocktail?

A

Include an egg white and a dash of bitters| lots of shaking is needed to build a thick, foamy head

51
Q

Aside from the strong, sweet and sour ingredients, what else is added to a Whiskey Sour cocktail?

A

egg white (optional) and bitters

52
Q

Modifying a classic short sour to make a Sidecar cocktail, involves what?

A

Using Cognac, lemnon juice, and triple sec

53
Q

Modifying a classic short sour to make a Margarita cocktail, involves what?

A

Tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and a salt rim (optional)

54
Q

Modifying a classic short sour to make a Clover Club cocktail, involves what?

A

Using Gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, egg white and vermouth (optional)

55
Q

At its basic level, what is a highball cocktail?

A

A long drink served over cubed ice| this is also referred to sometimes as a wash drink

56
Q

What is a Cuba Libre?

A

Highball made using rum and Coke

57
Q

What is a Greyhound cocktail?

A

Highball cocktail made using vodka and grapefruit juice

58
Q

What is a Horse’s Neck cocktail?

A

Highball made using Cognac, ginger ale and bitters

59
Q

What is an Americano cocktail?

A

Highball cocktail made using Campari, sweet vermouth and club soda| Americanized version of the Negroni

60
Q

In its simplest form, what are Long Drinks?

A

Short sours that have been turned into a long drink through the addition of club soda.

61
Q

What is the strong ingredient for a Tom Collins cocktail?

A

Gin

62
Q

What is the strong ingredient for a Paloma cocktail?

A

Tequila

63
Q

What is the strong ingredient for a French 75 cocktail?

A

Cognac or Gin

64
Q

What is the strong ingredient for a Mojito cocktail?

A

Rum

65
Q

What is the strong ingredient for a Singapore Sling cocktail?

A

Gin

66
Q

What is the sour ingredient for a Tom Collins cocktail?

A

Lemon juice

67
Q

What is the sour ingredient for a Paloma cocktail?

A

Lime juice

68
Q

What is the sour ingredient for a French 75 cocktail?

A

Lemon juice / Champagne

69
Q

What is the sour ingredient for a Mojito cocktail?

A

Lime juice

70
Q

What is the sweet ingredient for a Tom Collins cocktail?

A

Simply syrup

71
Q

What is the sweet ingredient for a Paloma cocktail?

A

Mexican grapefruit soda

72
Q

What is the sweet ingredient for a French 75 cocktail?

A

Simple Syrup

73
Q

What is the sweet ingredient for a Mojito cocktail?

A

Sugar or simple syrup

74
Q

What is the sweet ingredient for a Singapore Sling cocktail?

A

Cherry Heering/Benedictine

75
Q

What is the sour ingredient for a Singapore Sling cocktail?

A

Lime juice

WSET ® Level 1 Spirits (11 decks)

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