Many cocktails are enhanced with a rim of salt or sugar around the glass. Think of the salt coating a margarita glass. It looks great, and it’s also really easy! Here’s how you do it.
- Moisten the rim. For drinks that contain lemon or lime: take a wedge of the citrus with a slot cut into it and put it on the rim. Squeeze gently as you rub it around the rim of the glass to coat. For drinks that contain liqueurs: Pour a little of the liqueur on a saucer. Then hold the glass upside down and dip it into the liquid to coat the rim.
- Apply the powder. Most drinks are rimmed with salt (like a Margarita) or sugar (like a Sidecar). But you can get creative and use things like cocoa powder, your own customized sugar or a spiced salt. Put the powder on a saucer or in a very shallow bowl. With the glass sideways, dab the rim in the powder as you slowly turn the glass. Only the outer edge should be covered. You do not want the powder in your drink.
- Shake of excess powder. Clean it up a little to make it look pretty, and you’re done!
Some tips and ideas:
- Use Kosher salt instead of regular table salt
- Add a little bit of cayenne pepper to your salt mixture for a spicy kick
- Use superfine sugar (also called bartender’s sugar) instead of regular sugar
- Use flavored or colored sugar for cocktail parties
- Combine cocoa powder with finely ground orange zest for a Halloween cocktail rim
More bartending tips.
Photo by mnapoleon.
