10

How to Use Fruit in Your Cocktail

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There are different types of cocktails, and many of them use fruit as ingredients, either for decoration or to enhance the flavor of the drink. However, as it is a fresh ingredient, you need to pay attention to some details when making a cocktail, so as not to make mistakes in the preparation and turn your dream cocktail into a kitchen nightmare.

On May 18th, we celebrate National Cocktail Day. To celebrate this date, we’ve brought you some tips on how to use fruits in your cocktail correctly. Take your Kalvelage out of the closet, separate the fruits, and come learn with us.

Cocktail or drink?

First, let’s differentiate these two terms. Nowadays, it is more common to hear the term drink, while the word cocktail has lost some of its strength. However, drink means drink, that is, any drink (alcoholic or not). A cocktail is the mixing of an alcoholic drink with other drinks.

The first citation of the word cocktail occurred in England (“cocktail”), and referred to horses of mixed breed. The first appearance of the word related to drinks was at the beginning of the 19th century, and represented a stimulating drink, made from spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters. Because of this, many bartenders identify cocktails and drinks as different things.

Use fresh fruit

Fresh foods are tastier, have a more beautiful color and will make your drink incredible.

Value regionality

You can spend the whole year wanting to make a cocktail with strawberries, but the fruit has a specific harvest period. Use this period to prepare your drink. During it, you will find fresher fruits, making the cocktail even tastier. Brazil is a very large country and very rich in vegetation. Many regions have unique fruits, so use them to make different cocktails in each season of the year, making the experience even more enriching.

Make the most of fruit

There is no need to squeeze the juice from the fruit and throw everything else in the trash. Remove the rind to use the essential oils or to decorate the cocktail. The pomace can be used in the production of jellies. Finally, everything else can still be used as fertilizer for your garden or vegetable garden.

Research myths and appropriate uses

They say that the lemon pith makes the drink bitter. However, what can make the cocktail bitter is crushing or rubbing the fruit skin too much. There are several myths like this, so it is important to research this whenever a question arises when preparing a recipe. With just a few minutes of research, your drink will be much better.

Use the peels

Fruit peels can be used to flavor base drinks. For example, by leaving the vodka to rest for approximately five hours with fruit peels, such as pineapple, lemon or orange, in a tightly sealed jar, you will have a flavored distillate, which will further enhance your cocktail.

Did you like these tips? On the Kalvelage website you will find several cocktail recipes using our drinks. Don’t forget to check it out!

 

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9

Which is right: caipirinha or caipiroska?

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Caipirinha is one of the most traditional drinks in Brazil. A constant presence in homes and bars across the country, the drink is so famous that it has gained different versions, such as caipiroska, using different alcoholic components.

In essence, it’s the same drink. Lemon, ice and sugar are the standard ingredients for both. However, there is an important difference between caipirinha and caipiroska: one is made with cachaça, while the other uses vodka. For the more traditional, the change in recipe is blasphemy. However, other people believe that mixes make the drink even better.

Many variations have emerged from the classic lemon drink. Many variations have emerged from the classic lemon drink. Some use other fruits (strawberry, kiwi, passion fruit…), while others changed the alcoholic drink included – from caipirinha to vodka, rum or sake.

It is impossible to pinpoint where and when exactly these variations emerged, as they are changes that occur according to personal tastes and traditions, and in a continental country like Brazil, there is no way to measure this. Someone who prefers a sweeter drink may have decided to replace the lemon with strawberry, for example.

However, in mixology, the term “caipirinha” refers only to the classic drink. Each variation has a different name: “caipiroska” when made with vodka, “sakerinha” when made with sake, “caipiríssima” when using rum, and even “caipifruta” when the drink is made with fruits other than lemon.

The matter is so serious that, in 2003, Brazil began to register caipirinha legislation, recognizing the drink as an inherently Brazilian product. However, the law opened loopholes to call the drink a caipirinha even when making it with other fruits.

Both drinks are great for pairing with fatty foods, which is why caipirinha is a constant presence at barbecues around the country. When preparing the cocktail with vodka, its flavor becomes slightly less intense, making the drink also appreciated by those who do not like the strong flavor of cachaça.

It’s difficult to decide which is best or worst, but one thing is certain: if you use Kalvelage Vibe Vodka, lemon, sugar and plenty of ice, you will have a beautiful caipiroska. See how to do it!

Caipiroska recipe

Ingredients:

  • 60ml of Vodka Kalvelage Vibe
  • ¾ of Thaiti lemon with peel
  • 2 spoon of crystal sugar or 15ml of sugar syrup

Method of preparation:

In glass, add the sugar, the vodka and the lemon and gently macerate. Add ice and shake well.

8

3 beginner mistakes that ruin your drink

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When we see someone preparing drinks, we don’t realize how difficult it is, but cocktail making is a true art. When we try to reproduce drinks at home for the first time, we can make some simple mistakes, but they harm the result and don’t make the drink as good as it should be.

Like any art, preparing drinks is a process, which consists of several steps. These steps must be followed exactly to achieve the best possible result and delight your friends and family. Therefore, we are going to list some mistakes that many people make when preparing drinks at home.

Dose items “by eye”

Every drink has a recipe, and this recipe needs to be followed correctly to guarantee its quality. If the recipe says 30 ml of vodka, you need to add exactly 30 ml of vodka, not “a little bit” of vodka. All ingredients must be dosed according to the recipe, to maintain the ideal flavor standard of the drink.

Kalvelage Tip: Drink preparation kits come with dosers that solve this problem, and it is very easy to find them to buy. It’s a small investment that will make all the difference when making your drinks.

Don’t read the whole recipe

As previously stated, a recipe needs to be followed exactly. If this were not necessary, there would be no revenue, do you agree? But many people don’t read until the end, and miss important details. The production method and some tips always appear at the end of the recipe. So, don’t forget to read until the end!

Use low quality products

This is a point of great attention. Generally, recipes do not specify brands of products, in addition to using many natural ingredients, such as fruits. There’s no point in following the entire process correctly if you use a fresh lemon, for example. Your drink will be as good as the ingredients you put in it, so select quality products and you will have a delicious drink!

Extra Kalvelage tip: to make your drink even more special, try making it using Kalvelage Vibe Vodka. It is a premium drink, made especially for cocktails and awarded worldwide. With Vibe, you will look like a true expert in the art of preparing drinks.

Pay attention to these points, and in no time you will stop being a beginner and start preparing sophisticated drinks, like a professional

 

You may also like: Drinks to pair with barbecue

4

Coffee drinks recipes

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Coffee is one of the most traditional drinks in Brazil. Present in practically all Brazilian homes, coffee is consumed at the most diverse times and in the most varied ways.

To pay homage to this beloved drink, we brought you some drink recipes that can be made with coffee in the best combination with Kalvelage products.

Coffee caipirinha

And nothing better and more traditional than a caipirinha to start our list, right?

Ingredients:

  • 50ml of Vodka Kalvelage Vibe
  • 50 ml of coffee at room temperature
  • 1 lemon
  • 15 ml lemon syrup (optional)
  • Sugar to taste
  • Ice to taste
  • Coffee beans to decorate

Method of preparation:

In a glass, mash the lemon together with the sugar. Then add the shot of vodka, coffee and ice. If desired, top with lemon syrup. Decorate with coffee beans and enjoy!

Oak Martini

A martini with striking flavors, combining the personality of coffee with the complexity of American oak from Kalvelage Oak in a harmonious mix.

Ingredients:

  • 30 ml coffee liqueur
  • 60 ml Kalvelage Oak Vodka
  • 50 ml of your favorite coffee

Method of preparation:

In a cocktail shaker, shake all the ingredients with ice, double strain into a martini glass and finish with Bahia orange zest and coffee beans. This recipe is also available in our Winter Drinks eBook.

Creamy Russian Coffee

Made with ingredients that make the drink creamier, Russian coffee is a pleasant surprise for those who don’t know iced coffee.

Ingredients:

  • Two shots of coffee
  • A shot of Kalvelage Vibe Vodka
  • A shot of milk
  • ½ dose of cream
  • Two tablespoons of sugar
  • Ice to taste
  • Whipped cream to taste (optional)

Method of preparation:

Place the vodka, ice, sugar, milk, coffee and cream in a shaker and shake well. Pour the drink into a glass and finish with a layer of whipped cream.

Coffee shake with vodka

Do you like sweet drinks and want to impress your guests? This cocktail is a super tasty alternative to brighten up your visits.

Ingredients:

  • 50 ml Kalvelage Vibe Vodka
  • 100 ml of strong brewed coffee or 2 shots of intense espresso
  • 2 ice cubes
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Chantilly
  • Cocoa powder
  • Cherry to decorate

Method of preparation:

In a cocktail shaker, combine cold coffee, ice and vodka. Then, decorate the cup with the syrup, pour in the drink, cover with whipped cream and sprinkle with cocoa powder. Finish with the cherry.

Coffee with vodka and chocolate ice cream

Perfect for hot days, this drink with ice cream will please the sweetest of palates. Ideal for getting together with friends.

Ingredients:

  • Three tablespoons of instant coffee
  • Ten ice cubes
  • Eight scoops of chocolate ice cream
  • A cup of Kalvelage Vibe Vodka
  • Half a cup of hot water

Method of preparation:

Prepare the instant coffee in hot water and wait for it to cool. As coffee oxidizes very quickly, the best option is to prepare it at the time of the recipe and wait for it to cool. Once done, take the coffee, vodka, ice cream and ice cubes to the blender. Beat well and serve immediately.

Gin-coffee

Of course, our Kalvelage London Dry Gin could not be left out of the recipes. This is a refined and refreshing mix of acidic coffee with a drink full of herbs. However, the result is a drink with acidic and fruity notes, not the best option for sweeter palates.

Ingredients:

  • 200ml of London Dry Gin Kalvelage
  • 80 ml of tonic water
  • 40 ml of iced coffee
  • Ice to taste

Method of preparation:

Prepare iced coffee using the French Press or Clever. If you don’t prepare it with ice, leave the fresh coffee in the refrigerator for a few hours. Fill a glass with ice cubes, add gin and tonic, then slowly pour the coffee into the glass. Here’s a tip: if you pour the coffee over the back of a spoon into the cup, then you will have the result of separating the liquids.

Invite your friends to have a cup of coffee at your house and surprise them with these recipes!

 

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5

Drinks to pair with barbecue

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Who doesn’t love a good barbecue, right? Gather friends and family and enjoy the day with plenty of food and drink. On occasions like these, instead of traditional beer, how about surprising your guests with drinks? We’ve put together some recipes that will harmonize with your barbecue and still look great.

Caipiroska

This classic drink goes well with roasts, as the citrus in the drink helps to remove the fat from the meat. Very simple to make, it is a sure drink to please your guests.

Ingredients:

  • 60ml of Vodka Kalvelage Vibe
  • ¾ of Thaiti lemon with peel
  • 2 spoon of crystal sugar or 15ml of sugar syrup

Method of preparation:

In glass, add the sugar, the vodka and the lemon and gently macerate. Add ice and shake well.

Drink refrescante

A simple drink, but very good to accompany the barbecue, due to its freshness. The citrus in the fruits helps balance the fat in the meat.

Ingredients:

  • 60ml of Vodka Kalvelage Vibe
  • 30 ml green apple syrup
  • 20 ml of lemon juice
  • 150 ml pineapple juice
  • Ice

Method of preparation:

In a cocktail shaker, add all the ingredients and then plenty of ice. Mix well and serve in a long glass.

Horse neck

A classic American cocktail, the horse neck is served in a long glass with a lemon wedge for garnish.

Ingredients:

  • 60 ml Kalvelage Oak Vodka
  • 2 rings of fresh ginger, macerated
  • 180 ml ginger tonic
  • 3 dashes de angustura
  • Long slice of Sicilian lemon for decoration

Method of preparation:

In a long glass, muddle the ginger with the vodka. Add ginger tonic and ice. Stir gently, add the 3 drops of angostura and the lemon slice and serve.

Blue club

In addition to being tasty, this drink has a very beautiful bluish color. It is very refreshing, ideal to pair with the barbecue.

Ingredients:

  • Ice cubes
  • 40 ml of Kalvelage Vibe Vodka
  • 30 ml Blue Curaçao syrup
  • 20 ml of lemon juice
  • Lemon soda
  • Orange slice to decorate

Method of preparation:

Fill half a glass with ice. Then add the vodka, syrup and lemon juice. Top up with soda. Decorate with the orange slice and serve.

A barbecue can have much more than beer and soda. Make some of these drinks and you will see that they go very well with our traditional barbecue.