The pandemic has turned many of us into at-home mixologists. To help us evolve our bartending skills and expand our drink repertoire in these challenging times, Hilton got some cocktail/mocktail tips, tricks and recipes from its partners at Proprietors LLC, the training arm of renowned bar chain Death & Co. and also the team that trains Canopy by Hilton bar staff.
Know the fundamentals & experiment
According to Devon Tarby, partner, Proprietors LLC, you don’t have to be a professional to whip-up a great cocktail. You just have to know the fundamentals of drink-making and be willing to practice and experiment. “Take this time to perfect something you’ve been wanting to master—whether that’s an infusion, syrup or cocktail recipe. Now is the time to use the scientific method to refine your skills.”
His key tips and tricks for at-home mixologists are:
Practice makes perfect
Four recipes (two mocktails and two cocktails) to help you hone your skills.
Paloma Undercover
The Paloma Undercover is a zero-proof variation on the classic cocktail. Brown sugar and grapefruit pair to give the drink a bitter/sweet balance and soda water adds refreshing effervescence.
- 2 ounces Seedlip Spice 94 (non-alcoholic spirit)
- 1 ounce grapefruit juice
- ½ ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce brown sugar syrup (make using two parts brown sugar to one part water)
- 1-2 ounces soda water
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Strain the drink into coupe glasses.
Tamed Tiki
The zero-proof Tamed Tiki transports you to somewhere tropical and warm right from the first sip.
- 2 ounces coconut water
- ½ ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce orange juice
- ½ ounce maple syrup (Homemade: two parts maple syrup to one part water)
- 2 ounces ginger beer
Combine all ingredients, except the ginger beer, into a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Strain the drink to a snifter or hurricane glass (or any glass you have on hand) with crushed ice and add ginger beer. Top with additional crushed ice to fill the glass.
Cherry Blossom
This perfectly pink, refreshing, tangy cocktail from Hilton Garden Inn’s Garden Grille & Bar is as fresh and beautiful as the cherry blossom season it is named after.
- 1¼ ounce 80 proof tequila
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce grapefruit juice
- ¼ ounce grenadine
- Sugar as needed
Pour all ingredients into shaker and shake well. Strain into lime juice and sugar-rimmed martini glass or serve over ice. Feeling fancy? Garnish with a cherry or slice of grapefruit.
Judy’s Garden Gin
Award-winning actress, director, author and America’s best friend, Judy Greer, has been the star of Hilton Garden Inn’s ad campaign since 2017. She recently partnered with the brand to create her own specialty cocktail, Judy’s Garden Gin. This fun twist of the classic Daisy is perfect for at-home mixologists.
- 2 ounces Tanqueray gin
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce Chambord raspberry liqueur
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces soda water (optional)
Measure and pour all ingredients except soda water into shaker. Add ice to shaker (optional). Shake and strain into a coupe glass. Top with soda water (optional). Enjoy up or on the rocks.