Ever wonder how a bartender remembers SO many recipes? Yeah, us too. We found ourselves wishing we could just remember one really good recipe that would work for everything. Seems too good to be true, right? But it turns out there’s a simple ratio of three ingredients which works as the base for countless cocktails, including many you already know (here’s looking at you, Margs).
Booze. Citrus. Sweetener. That’s it.
Here’s why we’re obsessed with the Golden Ratio and you will be too:
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Keeps things simple. After a long day in the office, you deserve a drink but don’t always have the energy for anything too schmancy.
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Brings out your creative side. You’ve got free rein to experiment with whatever is on your bar cart, in the fridge, or in the pantry.
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Impresses your buds! Bust out your cocktail making skills at the drop of a hat! (Turns out having bartending as your party trick makes you preeeeeetty popular.)
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Gives you headspace back for truly important stuff… like binging your favorite Netflix show or cuddling up with a good book.
Here’s what you need to make a perfect cocktail every. single. time.
The Golden Ratio
2 oz booze
1 oz citrus juice
1 oz sweetener
That’s it! You can mix and match flavors and types of booze for a whole variety of cocktails that you KNOW are gonna be good. If you’re looking for proof of that, this ratio is the roadmap for Daiquiris (rum, lime juice, simple syrup), Margaritas (tequila, lime juice, agave nectar), Whiskey Sours (whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup), and so many more classic cocktails! We were serious when we said you can’t go wrong with this one.
You can keep it super simple with just those three ingredients or dress ‘em up a little to customize your cocktail! Muddle fruit in your glass for sweetness, drop in some bitters for nuance, or shake in an eggwhite or aquafaba for a foamy finish. Garnish boldly for a treat for the eyes and the nose! Our favorite upgrade (of course) is using infused booze to add alllll sorts of flavor notes into your cocktail without having to reach for another bottle. We are HERE for drinks that taste fancy without ever having to crack open that ol’ recipe book!
If you want a head start on creating some delicious cocktails before you dive headfirst into solo recipe testing and tweaking, we’ve got you. Here are a few of our favorite cocktail recipes made with the Golden Ratio:
Pucker Up
2 oz Rose Ceremony-infused gin
1 oz lemon juice
1 oz simple syrup
1 egg white
Soda water to top
Combine first four ingredients and dry shake for 10 seconds. Add a handful of ice and continue shaking for 20 more seconds. Strain into the cutest glass you can find, top with soda water and garnish with dried rose petals if you’re feelin’ a little fancy.
The Daydream
2 oz Island Time-infused mezcal
1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
1 oz agave nectar
Salt and pineapple wedge for garnish
Combine first three ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a salt-rimmed rocks glass with ice. Pop a pineapple wedge on the rim and take a sip of the tropics—no matter what the weather looks like outside.
Cure for a Chill
2 oz Bundled Up-infused whiskey
1 oz lemon juice
1 oz maple syrup
1 egg white
Chocolate bitters for garnish
Add first four ingredients to a shaker and dry shake for 30 seconds. Add ice and shake again until chilled. Strain into a coupe glass. Top with 3–4 drops of chocolate bitters. If you’re feeling a little warm and fuzzy, drag a toothpick through each drop to create a heart.