The Art of Mixology
By Kundai Chihambakwe and Ashler Jaya
On a pleasantly warm and sunny Saturday afternoon in winter, I popped down the road for my first Mixology Session…myself and 18 other participants needed to spruce up our mocktail and cocktail making skills!
Set up in a lush green garden with the soothing sound of cascading water from the swimming pool fountain playing in the background were our workstations. Each participant had an array of tools, glassware, fresh fruit, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages arranged in their allocated seating area. I was greeted by the welcoming smile of our instructor for the day, The Mixologist herself Ashler Jaya who gave us an overview of what to expect over the next few hours.
Mixology is the skill or study of mixing of beverages which gives one the opportunity to learn how various liquors, liqueurs, beers and drinks are made. It should also be noted that this art-form is not restricted to cocktails but includes mocktails or virgin cocktails as well.
A Mixologist is a person who is skilled at the mixing of beverages.
Ashler’s journey into mixology began during her studies in hospitality when she attended a core class in Beverage Science. Taking a keen interest in Mixology, she went on to study Wine Science and Wine Making with the ultimate goal of becoming a Master Sommelier. While enrolled at the Cape Wine Academy she was able to delve deeper into the truly fascinating world of beverages, their history, their production and how to play around with them.
During her post-degree travels and working in the hospitality industry, Ashler was able to find tutorship under one of the best sommeliers and bartenders in Miami Florida and began to utilise techniques, equipment and beverages she had never used before. She has since brought this wealth of knowledge back home to Zimbabwe and embarked on building her brand doing private functions, weddings, church functions and kids parties. Don’t
worry about the latter; there is a lot you can do without alcohol, in fact, those drinks might taste better!
Mixology roots itself as much in creativity as it does in theory. School can teach you what you need to know about the various kinds of liquor and beverages used in Mixology but your creativity and ability to invent your own drinks is what helps with advancing your career in the field.
To put this into practice, Ashler divided us into two groups with a task- create a beverage incorporating one of the two beers available. Yes, many of us also grimaced at the thought of what manner of minty, fruity, fizzy, beer infused concoction would we produce?! Nevertheless, we put our newly acquired muddling and shaking skills into action. It didn’t turn out very well! But had we an enjoyable 15 minutes of “let’s add more this”, “maybe more mint or ginger will help”, “its lacking that kick”, “noooooo that’s too much”, “well that tastes interesting” and plenty of laughter.
We then moved on to learning how to achieve the layered effect, combinations which pair well,making infusions from certain liqueurs and liquors, not limiting mixing to soda, fruit juice and premix and other mixing techniques and tips. Moscow mule, tropical gin and tonic, pineapple mojito and strawberry whiskey sour were some of the drinks we were able to give a go as individuals which proved to be quite the entertaining experience.
While snacking on some delicious savory treats prepared by Ashler, we also had a mini competition to see who could create the most interesting cocktail or mocktail. Our creative juices were following and many a colourful and mouth watering drink emerged from this.
Mixology really is about having fun and not being afraid to experiment. Ashler echoes these sentiments and admits that she has concocted some of her yummiest cocktails from things she thought would never work.
For aspiring at home mixologists, here are a few tips:
– Know what flavors you love that way it is easier to play around with drinks;
– Buy the basic equipment such as shakers, muddlers, blenders, juicer, stirrers, tot measures and different kinds of glassware;
– Stock up your bar with different base liquors and liqueurs;
-Don’t be afraid try different methods of making drinks, it produces different flavors and consistencies;
– Fruit based cocktails are amazing with fresh fruit or freshly squeezed juices;
– Have fun and always drink responsibly!
