The San Francisco Cocktail is a delightful mix of flavors that brings the spirit of the city to your...
Fresh Fruit Juice In Cocktails
Facing a large party or in search of convenience, the cocktail connoisseur can be tempted by bottled juices. They boast impressive shelf lives, simplicity and no messy fruit peels to contend with. However, in a battle of flavour, there is no contest. Fresh juice will always yield a more delicious, refined cocktail.
While it is a difficult sensation to describe, the taste difference between fresh and bottled juices is noticeable. Taste tests regularly prove that people prefer fresh juice over bottled, powdered or frozen alternatives. Cocktails are crisper, cleaner and more full-bodied when fresh juice is used.The key difference between fresh and bottled juices is oxidation, the same chemical reaction responsible for turning cut apples brown. When fruit juice is exposed to the open air, oxygen reacts with certain compounds within the juice. This is called oxidation. Oxidation rapidly breaks down substances like enzymes, phytochemicals and flavonoids that are responsible for a juice's "fresh" flavour.
Bottled juices that are pasteurised are also exposed to heat and other sanitation methods that, while they extend the product's shelf life, destroy critical flavour compounds. Many people also claim that the preservatives and additives in bottled juices compromise their pure flavour. Concentrated juices go through a similar flavour-eradicating process, and frozen juices are not only concentrated but have also suffered damage from the formation of ice crystals.
Juicing fruit at home is easier than it sounds. A simple citrus reamer and strainer are perfect for single cocktails. For parties, there is no need to stand in the kitchen juicing lemon after lemon immediately before the guests arrive. Properly chilled, fresh juice will keep its full flavour for about ten hours.
Those that drink cocktails or host parties on a regular basis might consider purchasing an electric juicer. Masticating or triturating models, or those that "chew" the fruit rather than using spinning blades, produce a superior juice. They minimise the juice's exposure to air, therefore reducing oxidation.
Using fresh juice is not about being picky. It is about getting the best possible flavour out of your cocktails. The switch from bottled to fresh juice is the difference between a good cocktail and a magnificent one.
Pardon the interruption
Did you know that you can become a member for free, taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. You can save your My Bar ingredients, make tasting notes, have personalised Tried and Want to try lists and more.
Filed with tags
More to explore
This is a personal dive into my personal Christmas Day routine, that dates back from when I was a sm...
Mixing drinks isn't just a party trick; it's a craft passed down through the ages, like grandma’s se...
Tag cloud
Explore more with our randomised tag cloud.
-
Festive
-
Classic
-
Greyhound
-
Iconic Cocktails
-
Japanese Theme
-
White Russian
-
French Cocktails
-
Cocktail Presentation
-
Creative Cooking
-
Brazil
-
Chartreuse
-
Mulled Wine
-
Celebrity Endorsement
-
Variations
-
Advanced Techniques
-
Danish Culture
-
Healthy Lifestyle
-
Smooth Tequila
-
Chile
-
Membership
Bartender's top tip
Related posts
The History of the Singapore Sling
This classic cocktail is certainly one worth finding out more about. A delicious combination of gin, Cointreau, DOM Benedictine, cherry liqueur, lime juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, and Angostura b... read more
The History of the Alexander
The Alexander, a classic dessert cocktail, has a rich history and distinct place in the world of mixology. This cocktail follows a simple yet versatile formula of equal parts base spirit, liqueur, and... read more
History of The Cosmopolitan Cocktail
The Cosmopolitan, a stylish pink concoction in a martini glass, was the signature cocktail in the 1990s for Carrie Bradshaw and her "Sex and the City" friends. But before that, it was favoured by Mado... read more
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get tips straight into your inbox.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub
The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.
Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.
Let's go