If you have worked in a cocktail lounge long enough you have probably witnessed the look of an unsuspecting patron who thought "Ooo! A delicious little lime chip!", right before their face implodes with most fearsome pucker and they question existence itself... If you've fallen prey to this trickery played by bartenders everywhere and you just can't understand the reason we keep up this bitter rouse, it's a lot less distasteful than you might think.
To understand this, first we have try to understand flavor or flavour as it's spelled in Canada. Also let's get something out of the way, what many people perceive as "flavour" is really just there sense of taste. Flavour by definition is the combined senses of taste and smell, in fact Websters archaic definition for flavour is literally odour or fragrance! So now we understand that flavour is not just the taste we experience but also the smell, let's circle back to what role this plays in creating a drink.
In a nut shell, garnishing cocktails and drinks is the art of adding a decorative touch to a mixed drink or beverage. It serves both a practical and aesthetic purpose, and can be as simple as adding a twist of lemon peel to a classic martini or as elaborate as creating a fruit sculpture for a tropical punch bowl.
The practical purpose of garnishing is to add flavour and aroma to a drink. A citrus peel, for example, will release essential oils when squeezed or twisted over a cocktail, adding a burst of bright flavour and a pleasant aroma. Herbs, spices, and other garnishes can also enhance the overall flavour profile of a drink.
But beyond the practicality of flavour enhancement, garnishes serve an important aesthetic role in the presentation of a cocktail or drink. A beautifully garnished drink can be a work of art, and can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any occasion. Garnishes can also serve as a visual indicator of the flavours and ingredients in a drink, making it easier for customers to know what to expect when they take a sip.
Bartenders are using everything from burnt wood, to cryogenically frozen flowers to elevate the drink as well as the guest experience. Modern and sustainable techniques have recently taken the for front in my opinion, and thats great! Turning what would be garbage fruit pulp into fruit leather for example is one of my favourite sustainable garnishes, and you will be able to make it almost anytime you make a fruit syrup. (assuming you aren't blending it) Also... snacks..
These days bartenders are putting almost as much thought into how the drinks are prepared and served as the distillers developing spirits going into them. So next time you sit down to enjoy a cocktail or mixed drink, take a moment to appreciate the care and attention that went into the garnish. Whether it's a simple twist of lemon peel or an elaborate fruit sculpture, the garnish is an integral part of the overall drinking experience.
I hope you enjoyed the read and maybe even learned something, now go forth and make some beautiful smelly drinks (preferably good smells please...). As always Its been a pleasure, thank you for reading!
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