Garnishes

Can you imagine a Martini without an olive, or a tiki drink without slices of pineapple hanging off the lip of the mug? The cocktail garnish is as important an element as any other ingredient, and helps to define the character of a cocktail.

There are two main functions to garnishes in cocktails.

Firstly, they are a visual prop that makes the drink more attractive. Some garnishes, like the aforementioned Martini olive, can be used to instantly identify a cocktail. In other cases they can help to set a mood, like when a tropical drink comes with various pieces of fruit stuck to a paper umbrella.

The second function is even more important, and that is to add scents and flavours to a drink. A citrus twist will definitely modify a drink, as will the martini olive. Sometimes only a little sweetness is added, such as with the maraschino cherry in a Manhattan. Finally, if the garnish is edible, then the “chaser” effect of eating it after finishing the drink can also be a part of the experience.

It is uncommon for a professional bartender to not garnish drinks, but if you habitually skip on the garnishes at home, you may not know what you’re missing out on…