Working your way through Dry January? Detoxing after vacation? Just need to give your liver a break? There are lots of ways to stay strong and distract yourself when you are not drinking alcohol. Try one of these useful things to do instead of drinking at night after work. You might just pick up a new hobby or healthy habit while you’re at it!

Disclaimer: I am not an addiction coach or a health professional. I have no experience with addiction. This post may not be helpful for an alcoholic. I am not claiming to know what addiction or withdrawal feels like or what things can help it. I am simply giving up alcohol for a period of time and suggesting things that I know to be helpful in my own experience.

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Have A Reason For Not Drinking

Everyone has their reasons to attempt a dry January, or any kind of break from alcohol.  Maybe it’s to clean up your system and start fresh for the New Year, or maybe it’s just because it sounded like a good idea.  Whatever your reason, having a reason is important to your success. That reason, silly or serious, will help keep you on track when the middle days of January drag on longer and longer.

No matter what we say – “I’m not addicted, of course I can stop. I only drink on the weekends anyways…” – change is hard!  It is not easy to give up things you enjoy or to remove habits that have a strong place in your routine. 

My reasons this January are health issues I have been putting on the back burner for way too long. Everywhere I turn for help I see the same suggestion… quit the alcohol. I’ve been kicking and screaming, and now I am finally giving in. It’s time to clean up my act and get serious about my health.

Have a Plan

So how will I do it? How will I not give in when I feel the urge to pour a drink? Below I have listed 31 things to do instead of drinking at night. It’s already 23 days into January. I am doing many things on this list, and I feel great! I might extend my drinking hiatus into February!

Indoor Things To Do Instead of Drinking

1. Learn How To Play An Instrument

• DrumeoEdge is a great platform for drummers. It does have a yearly fee, but we use this daily and have found it to be an impressive value for the price.
• Guitareo – Guitar System is our pick for a great guitar lesson library.
• Ukulele – A 10 day Beginner Course on YouTube!
  • Don’t have a Ukulele yet? This is the one we have.

2. Cook Something New

• Dig out the old family cookbooks.
• Call your Mom and ask her for a favorite family recipe.
• Subscribe to a meal home delivery service like Gobble or Home Chef (get $90 off with this link!)
• Follow some new accounts on Instagram.
  • @halfbakedharvest
  • @healthylittlepeach
  • @primal_gourmet

3. Learn How To Dance

• Moonwalk, Glide and Slide Step like Micheal Jackson
• Salsa, Cha Cha, Rumba and Swing – learn to dance as a couple

4. Learn A New Skill On SkillShare

Skillshare is a platform where you can learn just about anything! Here are some examples of the wide rage of subjects they offer.

• Watercolor Painting
• Calligraphy
• Web Design
• Interior Design
• GarageBand (We all want to use that app on our computer, now we can learn how!)

5. Learn Something New on MasterClass

Masterclass is a platform where your classes are taught by masters in their field.

• Skateboarding – with Tony hawk
• Cooking – with Gordon Ramsay
• The Art of Magic – with Penn & Teller
• Photography – with Annie Leibovitz
• Acting – with Natalie Portman

6. Make A New Pinterest Board

There are literally thousands of ideas you could put onto a new Pinterest board. The best part is that Pinterest could occupy you for hours! So many possibilities!

• Vision Boards
• Cooking / Desserts
• Beautiful Rings
• Places To Visit
• Guns
• Ball Gowns

7. Build or Paint a Model Kit Truck/Car

Browse your local hobby shop, or head over to Amazon. These are two my family wants to try.

• 1968 Chevy Camero
• 1978 GMC Pickup

8. Read A Book

Here are 4 books in my “To-Be-Read” pile.

• The Silent Patient -by Alex Michaelides
• The Guest List – by Lucy Foley
• Me Before You – by Jojo Moyes
• The Chestnut Man – by Soren Sveistrup (coming to Netflix!)

9. Build A Puzzle

• Lego Paint Party – 1000 piece puzzle
• Minifigure Faces – 1000 piece puzzle
• London – 2000 Piece puzzle

10. Play A Board Game / Online Game

Old school games, or online they all provide a night of entertainment.

• Battleship
• Operation
• Online Uno

11. Play Your Old Video Games

Our old video games are sitting in a box in the closet. When we get them out they keep us busy four hours. The new games have amazing graphics, but there is something appealing about Mario Brothers and having to start all over when you run out of lives.

• Wii
• Sega
• Nintendo DS

12. Play With Your Kids

• Legos
• Dress up
• Make a TikTok with them!
• Teach them an old card game.
  • Gin Rummy
  • Blackjack

13. Online Fitness Classes

• Beachbody – a yearly fee and you will be assigned a coach
• Openfit – a month fee and you can work the programs at your own pace
• VShred – programs that can help you shred at the gym

Outdoor Things To Do

14. Go For A Walk

Listen to audiobooks or podcasts, or listen to nothing and clear your mind. The fresh air will make you feel rejuvenated.

15. Go Watch a Winter Sunset

The sun sets early in the winter, you could be back before dinner!

16. Make A Chick-Fil-A Run Before Bed

Since you aren’t drinking you are able to jump in the car and head out to get chicken nuggets for a late night snack!

17. Be A Photographer

Grab your camera/phone and walk around your neighborhood. Pretend you are a professional photographer.

• Download a photo editing app then post them on instagram! (Don’t forget to tag us @SpillingTequila)
  • Snapseed
  • Foodie
  • Prisma

18. Run!

• Beginners can try the Couch to 5K
• Already a runner – sign up for a virtual race

19. Go Hiking

• Use the AllTrails app to find hiking trails near you.

20. Go For A Bike Ride

• Around your neighborhood
• At a local park
• Biking apps can help you find trails or map a course
  • Strava
  • MapMyRide

21. The Fitness Trail At Your Local Park

We’ve all seen them, attached to the walking trail at your local park. Try some of the stations! They are harder than they look. How many pull-ups can you do?

Ways to Replace Your Cocktail

22. Drink Mocktails

• Mojito Mocktail
• Seltzer Mocktails – remember to leave the alcohol out of the recipes in this post.

23. Buy A New Water Bottle

• Hydroflask – I try to fill this 3 times a day…one before lunch, one before dinner, and the final one before bed.
• Starbucks cup – This helps when I can’t go to Starbucks everyday.

24. Drink Some New Seltzer Flavors

• SodaStream – and make your own recipes
• Bubly
• Spindrift

25. Go for a Late Night Milk Shake Run

The best part of not drinking… being able to drive! Head out to McDonalds, Five Guys, or Dairy Queen and get a milkshake. Or, better yet, get ingredients and make your own!

Self Care Things To Do

26. Self Tan!

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean we need to be pasty white!

• St. Tropas – It won’t leave you orange… I promise!

27. Care For Your Hair

• Use your essential oils and make an oil serum for your hair.
• Try a new Hair Mask

28. Plan Your Summer Vacation

• The Beach
• The Mountains
• A Lake
• The City

29. Take a Bubble Bath

• Bath Bombs
• Bubble Bath
• Bath Tray – You’ll never want to get out and you’ll have a place for all your things.

Home Things To Do

30. Tackle a DIY Project

Here are a few great DIY and Crafting Blogs…

• Paper & Stitch
• P.S.- I Made This

31. Deep Clean

For some people deep cleaning is relaxing. I fall into this camp now and then. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

• Clean out a closet
• Organize your junk drawer
• Shine your sink! A little trick I learned from FlyLady years ago.

The post 31 Useful Things To Do Instead of Drinking at Night appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

If you like drinks with a lot of flavor and some serious heat, drop everything and make this spicy tequila recipe. Tequila infused with garden-grown cayenne peppers, mixed with fall-favorite apple cider and some fresh ginger? YES, please! 

I’m not a gardener. I’d love to be, and EVERY year I say I’m going to set up some amazing raised bed situation… But, alas, the best I’ve done so far is some pots on the deck. It is what it is, right?

This year I tried some herbs, tomatoes and peppers. Tomatoes were a bust for whatever reason but my herbs and hot peppers did great!

I was so proud of myself for growing these gorgeous cayenne peppers I just had to do something fantastic with them. And of course my first thought was drinks instead of food, haha. I made a fun summer spicy strawberry drink but I really wanted to do more. So I came up with the idea to infuse some tequila because spicy margaritas are the best margaritas! 

How to Infuse Tequila

To infuse my tequila, I filled a mason jar with Milagro Silver Tequila, chopped the tops off of three of my cayenne peppers and sliced them lengthwise. Dropped them into the tequila, seeds and all. Sealed it up and sat it on the counter to steep. And then I washed my hands a few times and tried to remind myself not to go near my eyes for a while…

I’d planned to leave it for just 2 days, but ya know, life happens. So 5 days later I finally got around to straining and tasting. It had turned a light yellowish color. I poured just a taste into a shot glass and went for it.

OH MY GOSH. Fantastic flavor at first taste, and then holy wonderful heat. And I mean feel it all the way down to your toes heat. So good. 

I had Chrissy and Shannon come over to mix some drinks and do some tasting and we all agreed that it was soooo good. If you want a killer shot, this is it.

But, we wanted to make a fun fall drink with it so I got to thinking about fall ingredients and what might pair well, and I came up with what we like to call “Death by Cider”.  (It’s not that scary, I promise!)

How to Make This Spicy Margarita

Since we’re working with tequila, we created a fall-themed, spicy margarita for you! This cocktail is made with apple cider, lime juice, agave syrup, and fresh, grated ginger. Apple cider is a sweet fall staple that helps balance the heat, ginger is always my go to, and the lime juice and agave balance it all out. And between the pepper-infused tequila and the ginger, you’ll taste the heat in this cocktail long after you sip.

Make this drink in a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour two ounces of your infused tequila and four ounces of apple cider, then add 1/2 ounce each of fresh-squeezed lime juice and agave syrup. Grate about 1/2 teaspoon of ginger into your shaker, then give it a shake until it’s frosty. Strain into a glass with fresh ice.

The sweet of the cider, flavor of the grated ginger, and heat of the tequila are an incredible mix that has made this my new favorite fall drink! I’m going to have to infuse some more tequila so I can make a few for Halloween!

Death by Cider

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes

Spicy apple cider margarita made with hot pepper infused tequila and fresh ginger.

Print

Ingredients

• 2 oz Spicy Tequila
• 4 oz Apple Cider
• 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 1/2 oz Agave Syrup
• 1/2 tsp Fresh Grated Ginger
• Sliced apple, ginger and pepper for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake and strain over ice into a margarita glass.
3. Garnish with a slice of apple, ginger and pepper.
4. Please drink responsibly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 234Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 7mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 0gSugar: 22gProtein: 0g

Nutrition information is estimated and should only be used as a general guideline.

The post Spicy Tequila Recipe: Death By Cider appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

Do you need a quick and easy Halloween decoration that also recycles some of your old alcohol bottles? These DIY Potion Bottles are both elegant and spooky and only take about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Today we have it too easy. We can just run to the store and buy everything we need to decorate or throw a Halloween party! But what’s the fun in that? This year, my family is having a good old-fashioned 1980’s Halloween. It will be complete with homemade costumes, pumpkin carvings, and maybe even bobbing for apples. So I wanted my decorations to be DIY as well!

Supplies for DIY Potion Bottles

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• Empty bottles – I used tequila, gin, and bourbon bottles.
• Spray paint – I used Rust-oleum in gold and Krylon in matte black.
• Small dollar store type decorations – I used small skulls and skeletons.
• A hot glue gun – To attach the small pieces.
• Bottle labels or tags – I found mine in the Target dollar spot, but you can download these, or these from Etsy.
• Glue stick – If you are using paper labels for your bottles, a glue stick (like the ones for school art projects) will work the best.
• Painters tape– To tape off the cork part of the toppers.
• Rubber gloves – I didn’t use these and my hands were covered in paint.

Step #1 – Gather Your Bottles

I tend to have trouble throwing nice, or unique shaped bottles into the recycle bin. I don’t know why I save them, but I’m always glad I did when it’s time for projects like this.

Tip: If possible, try to get different shapes and sizes. They will look great displayed together.

Step #2 – Remove The Labels

Tips to getting the labels off: Start picking away at those stickers. Some will come off easier than you think, others will give you hard time. If you are stuck with an unruly label you can try scraping it with a razor blade or an abrasive scrubber like the ones you use for pots and pans. You can also try something like Goo Gone.

You don’t have to worry about sanitizing the bottles if they are just for decoration. I am not filling mine with anything to drink. I didn’t even soap the inside. If you want to sterilize yours you will need a large bottle brush, and some sanitizing solution.

Step #3 – Spray Paint

Even though I’m sure you’ve spray painted things before, here are a few of my tips to keep this project from becoming a crafting disaster.

• Throw down a drop cloth – I hate to admit it but my husband was right, the drop cloth does help keep my messes minimal.
• Set up a paint station – Put all the things you paint black in one area, and all the gold in another.
• Use painters tape and tape off the cork part of the toppers, they will fit back into your bottles if they are clean of paint.

Step #4 – Finishing Touches

Use your glue stick to apply any paper labels you printed out and use the hot glue gun to attach the skulls and skeletons.

Step #5 – Put Them on Display

Now that they are all finished and look great, you need to display them. Some ideas for displaying them:

• Use the extra spray paint and spray small branches or sticks.
• Spray paint a few artificial flowers black.
• Fake spider webs would look great with these.

So go ahead and have fun creating some amazing DIY Potion Bottles with your old alcohol or wine bottles. Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram… We want to see your end results! Happy Halloween!

The post Easy DIY Potion Bottles appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

Does your drink feel like it has lost its luster? You don’t have to find an exciting new recipe or whip up an exotic drink to find bliss. Try some of these tips to breathe new life into your go-to drink.

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For months now I have been drinking the same thing over and over… and over again. I am serious, no variety at all. It’s either a skinny margarita or a glass of Pinot Grigio. Over and over… and over again!

I will admit, it has been hard to be a cocktail blogger thinking I was having a bad case of writers block. But, I think it’s pretty common to find a drink and stick to it. Many of us find a drink we love and embrace it.

The Only Four Things In My Kitchen!

We don’t have a cupboard filled with bottles of liquors we’ll never use again. We don’t have a bunch of random ingredients laying around from recipes we really didn’t like.

To make my skinny margarita (recipe below) these are the only things I need to keep track of.

• Limes or a bottle of juice (it’s easier)
• stevia packets
• flavored seltzer (blueberry, coconut, orange, strawberry)
• tequila

How To Make Your Drink Look and Feel Brand New

#1. Pour It In A New Glass

There is something magical about a new glass for your everyday drink. It’s like buying a new outfit and heading out on the town. Same girl, new clothes… completely new attitude! The same rules apply for your drink! Dress it up! I will link these Elle Decor pink highball glasses I found on amazon. I am in love with the crocodile skin pattern!

#2. Buy A New Brand or Different Bottle

Tequila, vodka, bourbon… whatever your poison, pick a new brand or a new bottle! Maybe this time you splurge on a premium bottle, or get one that has a pretty label. A different brand will definitely make your drink taste and feel new.

Some of the bottles I have around at the moment. (the Teremana is empty… I really like that one!)

• Jose Cuervo Tradicional Tequila – nicely priced
• Espolon Tequila Blanco – Fun label
• Tres Agaves Organic Tequila – Organic
• Teremana Small Batch Tequila – The Rocks’ tequila
• Cabo Waco Tequila Blanco – very tasty

#3. Use Fresh Juice

The bottled stuff is easy, but fresh is BEST! It even feels fancier to cut and squeeze that lime into your drink. The taste of fresh lime is second to none.

#4. Add A Garnish

Add some flare! Give it that professional signature. Cut your lime into circle or wedge, use the peel and twist it around your straw. make it fun!

Bonus Points: Take some pictures of your “new” drink and post it to Instagram. Get near a window, find some good light and move your camera around to find the best angle. Be sure to tag us @spillingtequila so we can add it to our stories!

If you try all these ideas and it still doesn’t have that born again feel, just embrace your regular drink! There is something comforting about knowing what to expect. You know where your glass is, exactly the right amounts to pour, and that one bottle of tequila will make exactly 6.5 large mason jar margaritas.

Double Skinny Margarita

Yield: 18 ounces

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 2 minutes

Make it a double! This recipe is HUGE. It's totally shareable, but if you want your own, one is surely enough.

Print

Ingredients

• 4 packs stevia (1 tsp)
• 2 limes juiced (2 oz)
• 4 oz tequila
• 1 can flavored seltzer (12 oz)

Instructions

1. Mix stevia and lime juice.
2. Add tequila and ice. Stir.
3. Add seltzer and stir.
4. Please drink responsibly.

Notes

This recipe works well with just about all flavors of seltzer. Strawberry, blueberry, and coconut are always crowd pleasers.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 297Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g

Nutrition information is estimated and should only be used as a general guideline.

The post 4 Easy Ways To Make Over Your Go-To Drink appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

Making your own ginger syrup is so easy. This versatile syrup will add a zip to your cocktails… and just about anything else you drink or eat! And – bonus! – it’s healthy!

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Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger has a long history of use in traditional and alternative medicine. It’s been used for centuries to ease indigestion, reduce nausea, and fight flus and common colds. Research has shown it to be effective in treating nausea, motion-sickness, and morning sickness during pregnancy. Ginger may also lower cholesterol and inflammation, prevent clogged arteries and even kill cancer cells.

If all that doesn’t convince you to add more of this flavorful ingredient to your diet, ginger may also ease arthritis pain, lower your blood sugar, and improve brain function. It’s kind of a wonder root!

As I said, it’s really easy to make your own ginger syrup. But if you don’t have the time or inclination, Royal Rose makes a wonderful, organic Ginger Lime Syrup.

How to Make Ginger Syrup

In a medium saucepan, combine one cup of water with 1/4 pound of peeled, sliced ginger. Bring to a low boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain out the ginger, reserving the liquid. But don’t throw your ginger away! You can use it recipes or make candied ginger. Yum!

Add one cup of sugar into the warm, ginger-infused water and stir until completely dissolved. Cool and store syrup in an air-tight container, like a mason jar, in the refrigerator.

The syrup will be good for 2-3 weeks. I’m pretty sure you’ll use it by then, but if you need it to last longer, add in 1 tablespoon of vodka. The vodka acts as a preservative and your syrup will be good for 4-6 weeks. 

To make this syrup sugar-free, you can use Stevia or a sugar substitute of your choice. After straining out the ginger, mix in two tablespoons plus two teaspoons of Stevia into the warm water and proceed as above. If you use a sweetener other than Stevia, you’ll need to experiment with the sweetness.

Ways to Use Ginger Syrup

Obviously you’ll want to use your homemade ginger syrup in cocktails like this Grapefruit Ginger Bourbon Sour. But you can also use it in hot or iced tea, seltzer, smoothies, salad dressings, baked goods, desserts, soups, and other recipes. It’s delicious drizzled into yogurt or over ice cream!

Ginger Simple Syrup

Yield: 8 oz

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Use this Ginger Simple Syrup for a spicy kick in your cocktails or other recipes!

Print

Ingredients

• 1/4 lb ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar

Instructions

1. Place ginger in a saucepan with the water.
2. Bring to a low boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Strain.
4. Add the sugar into the warm mixture and stir until dissolved. 
5. Cool and store syrup in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 90Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 0gSugar: 25gProtein: 0g

Nutritional information is estimated and should only be used as a general guideline.

The post How to Make Healthy Ginger Syrup appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

A quality camping cocktail set might not be your first thought when packing for a camping trip, but an excellent travel cocktail kit will help you kick things up a notch above the traditional beer. Check out these essential tools for your next camping adventure.

Who loves camping?! I have to admit, it took a bit of convincing for me to give camping a try a few years ago, but as soon as I got that tent set up and a beer in my hand I was all in. There is definitely something special about time spent outdoors without all of our “stuff”, sleeping with the sounds of nature all around us, and taking time to just CHILL. 

The temperatures are cooling and it’s the perfect time for some weekend camping trips. As I mentioned earlier, that beer definitely helped me ease into my camping experience, and so while planning for our next trip I thought I’d find some fun beer and cocktail camping gear and tools.

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Check out these great coolers, tools and containers to help make your camping experience one you’ll never forget.

Camping Coolers for Ice-Cold Cocktails

I found coolers in two different sizes depending on your needs, and both will keep your ice for at least three days! 

1. The REYLEO Ice Chest is a 21 quart, bear resistant cooler that comes with a built in bottle opener, cup holders and a fish ruler. (It does come in a larger size as well!)  

2. The GiNT Rolling Cooler has oversized wheels to save your back when your headed to your campsite, built in cup holders, a handle that doubles as a small table, and an interior tray to keep food items dry. 

3. As a bonus, I found a great little light for the inside of your cooler! You’ll never struggle to find your beer in the dark with Coghlan’s Inside Cooler Lid Light. This handy little thing mounts inside your cooler lid and will automatically turn on and off when the lid is raised and shut. This definitely needs to be part of any camping cocktail set!

Essential Travel Cocktail Kit

You can’t really make a proper cocktail without some essential tools, so here are some that are perfect for taking on the road. 

4. The Stanley Adventure Happy Hour 2X System is a 30-ounce cocktail shaker, two stainless steel cups, a citrus reamer, and jigger cap rolled into one. And even better, the cups are double walled stainless so your drinks won’t sweat everywhere!  

5. Filled with recipes, bartender tips and tricks, and even a whole chapter on foraging and mixing with found ingredients, the Camp Cocktails book will give you great ideas for drinks to pair with your amazing outdoor experience. 

6. For something completely different, I can’t wait to try this Campfire Beer Caramelizer! You heat it in the fire, dip it in your drink and it reacts with the sugars in the beverage, creating a richer and smoother taste.

7. And one of my favorite finds, the Travel Bartender Kit has everything you need to make the perfect cocktail, just bring your booze! This stylish, canvas roll-up bag will keep all the included tools organized, and comes in silver or copper. 

Camping Cocktail Sets to Keep Your Drinks Cold and Contained

Would be a shame to make all those great cocktails and not have something durable and portable to drink them out of. So here are a couple great options for mixed drinks, wine and beer. 

8. The Blingco 12 Oz Stainless Steel Stemless Wine Tumblers are double-walled, vacuum-insulated, and come with lids and straws. They’ll keep your drinks warm or cold and keep you from spilling them to boot! 

9. The Stanley Classic Growler Gift Set comes with a 64-ounce, vacuum-insulated growler body and four 12-ounce stainless tumblers. The growler will keep your beer (or pitcher of margaritas!) cold for 24 hours, and the tumblers come with different colored neoprene sleeves to keep drinks cold and help you know which one is yours! 

I hope this guide gives you some great ideas to create your own camping cocktail set and make your next camping trip a delicious one. Cheers!

The post The Camping Cocktailer’s Survival Essentials appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

I was experimenting with a new cocktail creation the other day. It wasn’t quite right and Naomi suggested it might need tonic water.

“Will seltzer work?” I asked. “What’s the difference between seltzer and tonic water anyway?”

“Quinine?” Naomi offered. Neither of us knew the complete answer.

If you want to serve – and order – cocktails like a pro, there are some basics you should know. So here are nine cocktail questions you’ve always wanted answered. After all, the world of bartending is more complex than serving up a Coors Light or a shot of Fireball.

What is the difference between tonic water and seltzer?

Let’s start with the question that inspired this post. Seltzer, tonic water, club soda, and sparkling mineral water are all carbonated water. But they differ in minerals, additives, processing methods, and taste.

Seltzer is simply carbonated water. It has the truest water taste, which makes it easy to flavor. Many seltzers are also labeled “sparkling water.” There is no difference between seltzer and sparkling water – the name is simply decided by a brand’s marketing strategy.

Club soda is infused with added minerals such as potassium sulfate and sodium bicarbonate that give it a slightly salty taste. But these days many seltzers and sparkling waters also have added minerals.

Bottom line: there’s very little difference between club soda, seltzer, and sparkling water. They are all water infused with carbonation and may or may not have added flavors or minerals. Check the ingredients label to be sure.

Sparkling mineral water is distinct in that is comes from a spring with naturally-occurring carbonation. It contains a variety of minerals that vary based on the source of the water. Different brands will have their own unique taste.

Tonic water is also infused with minerals, but it adds in quinine, a compound that comes from the bark of cinchona trees. This gives it a slightly bitter taste. Tonic water is commonly sweetened with high fructose corn syrup or sugar and has about 120 calories per 12 ounces, whereas the other carbonated waters have zero calories.

The type of carbonated water you use can affect the ultimate taste of your cocktail.

What’s the difference between ABV and proof?

It’s important to know how much alcohol you are drinking since all spirits are not created equally. A Manhattan is not the same as a Smirnoff Ice. “ABV” and “proof” are both terms that indicate the amount of pure alcohol in a spirit.

ABV stands for alcohol by volume. This is the percentage of ethanol (alcohol) in a specific bottle. So if a bottle is labeled 10% ABV, that means it contains 10% alcohol and 90% water or other flavorings.

Proof refers to the spirit’s alcohol content on a 0 to 200 scale. Proof is simply double the ABV. For example, a 100-proof bourbon is 50% ABV.

What is the difference between straight up and neat?

Neat refers to a shot of liquor that is poured directly from the bottle into a glass. It’s served at room temperature with no ice or mixers. Liquors served neat, such as whisky or brandy, are meant to be sipped slowly without any dilution.

A drink served “up” is one that is chilled or mixed – typically shaken or stirred with ice – and strained into a glass without ice.

When it comes to the terms “straight” and “straight up,” things get complicated. Straight up implies chilled, but it’s often used in place of neat. Straight is also commonly used in place of neat. So the bottom line is, if you’re not sure what your guest wants, ask them to clarify.

On the rocks is a drink served over ice, of course.

What makes a drink “dirty?” A change in color and taste due to the addition of ingredients. The most common example is a dirty martini, which adds olive juice.

How much is in a shot, a finger, and a dram?

A conventional shot is 1.5 ounces. A finger of liquor is about an inch of liquid poured into a glass.

Now, the dram – that is more complicated. In the U.S., a dram is technically an eighth-ounce of liquid. But the term, which originated in Scotland, commonly means “a serving of whisky.” It can be a different amount depending on where you order it. But it seems the term “dram” is often used more as a descriptive term than an actual measurement.

Why is it safe to drink raw egg in a cocktail?

The classic whiskey sour is made with bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and an egg white – not made with a whiskey sour mix. The egg gives the cocktail a rich, creamy texture and a smooth head of foam. But wait, isn’t it unsafe to consume raw egg?

While it’s never 100% safe to consume raw egg, the risks of consuming egg whites in cocktails are minimal. First, current food safety regulations require most chickens to be vaccinated against salmonella. Second, egg whites are shaken thoroughly without ice, so they emulsify. Agitating the whites causes their proteins to unfold and mixes in air bubbles, creating a nice foam that’s perfectly safe to drink.

What is the difference between types of whiskey?

Whisk(e)y, scotch, rye, bourbon… What?

First, it’s ALL whiskey. It’s a distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash (a mixture of grains).

Scotch is whisky that has been distilled in Scotland. It’s made primarily from malted barley. Scotch can be an acquired taste. It has that little extra “bite” that some people do not care for, but others absolutely love.

For a whiskey to call itself bourbon, it’s mash must contain at least 51% corn. The mash must be distilled at 160 proof or less, the distillate must be stored in charred new oak barrels at 125 proof or less, and it must not contain any additives. Bourbon is typically sweeter than other whiskies.

Rye is whiskey that is distilled from at least 51% rye – a type of wheat/grass that is closely related to barley. It’s a bit spicier than bourbon.

Is it “whisky” or “whiskey?” There are some (ahem, the Scotch drinkers) who are very serious about the way this word is spelled. It comes down to the whisk(e)y’s country of origin. Here’s a clever way to remember, courtesy of TheKitchn.com:

• Countries that have E’s in their names (UnitEd StatEs and IrEland) tend to spell it whiskEy (plural whiskeys)
• Countries without E’s in their names (Canada, Scotland, and Japan) spell it whisky (plural whiskies)

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What are aperitifs and digestifs?

Aperitifs are “before-dinner drinks” – a liquid appetizer, if you will. Too much sugar makes you want more sugar, so aperitifs have a dryer, more bitter profile that enhances your appetite for healthy food. They are also low proof since too much alcohol diminishes the appetite.

Examples of aperitifs include Aperol, Campari, Sherry, and Pimm’s.

Digestifs are spirits meant to stimulate the digestive system. They’re designed to be sipped slowly after a meal, but they are not dessert drinks. Digestifs are typically less sweet and have more alcohol than a dessert drink.

The origin of the digestif comes from Europe where it’s common to have multi-course meals later at night. The digestif has a richer flavor and higher alcohol content to help you relax and fall asleep after a large meal.

Brandies and Sambuca are common digestifs.

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What are bitters?

Bitters are highly concentrated flavoring agents made from steeping herbs, roots, citrus peels, seeds, spices, flowers and barks in high-proof alcohol. They were originally used for medicinal purposes.

There are hundreds of types of bitters. Even Campari is considered a digestive bitter. But the most common types you will use in your home bartending are the tincture bitters. They are used in small doses – known as “dashes” in recipes – and they pack a flavorful punch.

Bitters do not make your drink taste bitter. They add just the right spice and complexity to a cocktail when used properly. You can even make your own bitters with Everclear and your choice of botanicals.

What does muddle mean?

Lots of cocktail recipes tell you to “muddle” something. To muddle, you want to gently press ingredients against the bottom of a glass using a muddler. The goal is to extract the juices, oils, and flavors from your ingredients.

How hard you muddle depends on the ingredient. With fruit, you want to give it a good mash to release the juices and the oils from the skin. With leaves and herbs, the flavor is in the veins so you just want to gently press. If you muddle herbs too much, you’ll draw out bitterness.

Now you have a solid background in mixology so you can make amazing drinks and impress your friends!

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Making your own simple syrup for cocktails is easy and it’s tons of fun to experiment with flavored simple syrup recipes. We’ll tell you how to make and store simple syrup, and give you 40+ recipes in our free guide! Enter your email below for the full guide, or read on for more info!

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What is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is a key ingredient used as a sweetener in many cocktail recipes. In its most basic form, it is made by combining equal parts sugar and hot water. Since sugar does not dissolve well in alcohol or in cold beverages, simple syrup is used to ensure that sweetness is uniformly mixed into a cocktail. It also adds a bit of density – a little “thickness” or “mouthfeel” – to a drink.

Simple syrup is readily available in liquor stores and most grocery stores. But there are many advantages to making your own.

First, it’s super easy. Just pour one cup of sugar into one cup of water, heat, and stir until the sugar completely dissolves.

Second, making your own simple syrup is much cheaper than buying it. You’ll also avoid high fructose corn syrup or any preservatives that might be in store-bought syrups. 

Third, and probably most important, you can infuse homemade syrup with just about any flavor you desire. This offers a cheap, quick, and easy way to add a hint of flavor to your cocktails.

Basic Simple Syrup Recipe

• Combine one cup sugar and one cup of water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. 
• Heat the mixture to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes to fully dissolve the sugar. You want to see steam coming from the surface and a few bubbles. Do not let the water come to a vigorous boil or you’ll start boiling off water, which will affect your water to sugar ratio. 
• Stir with a whisk several times during the heating process. 
• Remove from the heat and cool for at least 10 minutes.
• Pour into a clean, air-tight jar. A mason jar is ideal for your homemade simple syrup. It’s a good idea to sterilize your jar in boiling water before storing your syrup to guard against any bacterial growth.     

How to Store Simple Syrup

Store your simple syrup in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. A basic simple syrup with just sugar and water will keep for about a month in your fridge. Syrups with added ingredients can be stored for two to three weeks safely. If you notice your syrup starts to look cloudy, it’s time to toss it and make a new batch.

If you really need your syrup to last longer, add one tablespoon of vodka before storing it in the fridge. The alcohol keeps away bacteria and your syrup will last up to three months.  

Another way to make your syrup last longer is to make a “rich syrup” with a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water. The higher sugar content is a stronger preservative and will last up to six months! You’ll want to experiment and use less of this syrup in your cocktails. Some bartenders say a rich syrup balances out cocktails even better than a simple syrup, though it depends on the drink. 

You can also freeze simple syrup. A rich syrup might not freeze solid, which makes it easier to use on short notice without time to fully thaw.

Flavored Simple Syrup Recipes

Spilling Tequila has put together The Ultimate Guide to Simple Syrups that you can download for FREE! Just enter your email address below and we’ll send you the link to download.

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In this guide, you’ll learn about sugar-free alternatives for simple syrup, methods of flavoring your syrups, bonus ways to use simple syrup and more than 40 recipes!

Here’s one of our favorites – a ginger simple syrup recipe that’s amazing in so many cocktails (like this Grapefruit Ginger Bourbon Sour).

Ginger Simple Syrup

Yield: 8 oz

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Use this Ginger Simple Syrup for a spicy kick in your cocktails or other recipes!

Print

Ingredients

• 1/4 lb ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar

Instructions

1. Place ginger in a saucepan with the water.
2. Bring to a low boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Strain.
4. Add the sugar into the warm mixture and stir until dissolved. 
5. Cool and store syrup in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 90Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 0gSugar: 25gProtein: 0g

Nutritional information is estimated and should only be used as a general guideline.

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