Country: Barbados 

ABV:  42 proof/21% 

Brand: Pernod Ricard 

Spirits Type: Rum 

Taste: Sweet, Coconut, Vanilla 

Price Category: $ 

A molasses based rum that is distilled and then flavored with coconut.  Strongly flavored with artificial coconut flavor, this coconut flavor is ideally mixed with balancing acids or flavors that can stand up to its own. 

Country: Jalisco, Mexico 

ABV:  80 proof/40% ABV 

Brand: Productos Finos De Agave, S.A. de C.V. 

Spirits Type: Tequila 

Taste: Crisp, bright, peppery, grapefruit and pineapple 

Price Category: $$ 

100% Blue Weber Agave.  The Blanco is unaged producing a crisp, sweet and peppery flavor with hints of grapefruit and pineapple. 

Country: United States 

ABV:  30 proof/15% 

Brand: DeKuyper/Suntory Global Spirits 

Spirits Type: Liqueurs/Cordials/Schnapps 

Taste: Syrupy Sweet peach flavor 

Price Category: $ 

Known for its price point and its popularity in bars and restaurants.  Peachtree is redistilled fruit brandy with other flavoring materials.  It's flavor is syrupy sweet and reminiscent of tree-ripened peaches.

Country: Italy 

ABV:  48 proof/24% 

Brand: Campari 

Spirits Type: Amaro, Aperitif & Vermouth 

Taste: Cinnamon, Clove, and Bittersweet Citrus 

Price Category: $ 

Campari is made with a secret blend of bitter herbs, spices, fruit and citrus peels steeped with water and a neutral grain alcohol.  After infusion it is blended with sugar, artificial food dye and additional spices to achieve its signature flavor of a grapefruit bitterness with hints of warming spices. 

Grenadine is a common non-alcoholic beverage syrup used for its color, sweetness and syrup consistency.  Commercially produced grenadine is more sweet and less citrusy from artisan made grenadine.  Grenadine syrup is easy to make in small batches at home resulting in more pomegranate flavor. 

To Make It:  

1 cup (8 oz, 240mL) Pomegranate Juice 

1 cup (200 g) Organic Cane Sugar 

In a small saucepan, combine Pomegranate Juice and Sugar over medium low heat. Stir to combine and allow to heat until the sugar has dissolved and very small bubbles appear, remove from heat and do not stir. Allow to cool to room temperature and strain into a syrup bottle. 

Country:  Spain 

ABV:  62 proof/31% 

Brand: Diego Zamora Group 

Spirits Type: Liquers/Cordials/Schapps 

Taste: Bitter and Citrus, Vanilla and Spices 

Price Category: $ 

Whole Rice Milk 

3.3% Fat 

A plant-based milk used by many with food sensitivities.  Unless it is flavored, rice milk has mild-to-no flavor.  Whole rice milk is desired in cocktails for its silkier texture but it should withstand coagulation in cocktails with acidity. 

6% - 8.5% Acidity 

Lime juice is generally the most acidic of the citrus fruit juices used cocktails.  The high acidity can help balance flavors and smooth bitterness as well as astringent flavors of high-spirited or unfiltered alcohol. Limes that have had more time to ripen will render a more concentrated and sweeter flavor with floral notes adding complexity to a cocktail.  It is advisable to taste your fresh-pressed juice and adjust added sweeteners accordingly. 

4-6% Acidity 

Similar to Lemon Juice in acidity, but significantly more natural sugars which leaves a naturally balanced juice if freshly pressed. It is highly recommended to test the sweetness of the juice before adding additional sweeteners.  

Salt/Saline is a great flavor booster.  It can balance sweetness and bitterness, smoothing out a cocktail.  It can also enhance citrus flavor and acidity without the need for more acid. 

A pinch of salt can be added to the cocktail, but for consistency, saline is easy to make and allows more control.  

To Make It:  

2 oz (60mL) Distilled or Purified Water 

1 Tbsp (15g) Fine Sea Salt 

Combine in a jar and shake vigorously.  Once salt is dissolved, pour into a dropper bottle.