Schweppes in the Mix
It seems Schweppes Australia have just launched the Mix Wiki to help make cocktails. I love drinking and making cocktails, hence my collection of spirits and liqueurs pictured above — I blame Duty Free. I've checked the website and think it's actually pretty cool and easy to use. I like how you can choose by category of Product, Flavour, Alcohol, Glassware or Occasion. I've got plenty of books on how to make cocktails and have seen a few websites about making cocktails but this is the best I've come across to date. It's always great to see photos of what it should look like — I'm more a visual person. My drink of choice is usually Gin & Tonic but I can't really agree with their recipe. A highball with lemon — no thank you. I definitely prefer drinking mine in a short glass with fresh lime (squeezed please). But I guess traditionally it was served in a highball glass so I must just really like the taste of gin. I've noticed Schweppes Tonic Water seems to retain it's bubbles and fizziness longer than generic brands.
A couple of good points I learnt on the website:
• Using crushed ice in drinks makes for an even colder drink due to the larger surface area of the ice versus the mixer.
• Always use fresh fruit when possible. Garnishes of fruit that require muddling and shaking deteriorate quickly, so only cut what you need as you serve drinks.
• Using crushed ice in drinks makes for an even colder drink due to the larger surface area of the ice versus the mixer.
• Always use fresh fruit when possible. Garnishes of fruit that require muddling and shaking deteriorate quickly, so only cut what you need as you serve drinks.
I sort of understand the '1+1=3 Magic is in the Mix' advertising campaign by GPY&R Melbourne but it's kind of lost on me. I think it essentially means 'Cocktail + Schweppes = Extraordinary' while 'Cocktail + Other Brand = Ordinary'. Make sure you check out the retro Schweppes art of the pin up girls though — pretty cute.
Plenty of yummy choices on Mix Wiki
The best way to have a Gin & Tonic in my books
Schweppes art of the pin up girls
