Creating a Cocktail

By Maria Smith / Photos by Tammy Lovvorn

The weekend is approaching and the weather looks great for spending time at the lake. Your family and friends will be arriving Friday evening for a long fun-filled weekend! You know what you’re going to cook but what about the drinks? You don’t want to serve the same thing - you want something fresh, new and creative! But what? Where do you start? 

Making a creative cocktail can be fun and exciting! Just think about the time of the year or the event for the weekend and use your imagination and taste buds! For example, in the summer, you may want to make something cool and tropical to beat the summer heat. 

🍹 Three Components of a Cocktail

There are three components to making a cocktail: spirits, sugar, and sour.

• The spirits are the base alcohol, such as rum, vodka, gin, tequila or whiskey which forms the foundation of your cocktail.

• The sugar or sweetness can be simple syrup, honey or some other sweetener to balance the sourness.

• The sour is usually a citrus juice which adds acidity and zest. The basic formula is 2-1-1: two parts spirit, one part sugar and one part sour. 

🍸 Which Spirit Should You Choose?

Rum – Most often used in cocktails. Made from sugar cane by-products (molasses), fermented and distilled. Light rum is great in lighter cocktails; dark rum is better “straight up.”

Vodka – Made from grains or potatoes (sometimes beets or carrots). Must use a starch base. It’s versatile and comes in many flavored varieties for added creativity.

Gin – Essentially juniper-flavored vodka. Made with juniper berries and secret botanicals. Can taste piney, woodsy, or bitter—know your gin's profile before mixing.

Tequila – Made from the blue agave plant. Four types:

• Silver (unaged, “shot” style)

• Gold (light aging, caramel hints)

• Rested (60+ days)

• Aged (1+ year)

Try aged tequila with heavier ingredients.

Whiskey – Made from grain, water, and yeast. American whiskey includes corn, barley, and rye. Tastes range from malty and smoky to spicy and sweet. Test for flavor profiles!

🍯 Which Sugar?

If not using simple syrup, agave or honey, try a liqueur.
Liqueurs add flavor and depth (e.g., fruit, herbs, chocolate, etc.).
You can also use brandies and fortified wines (like vermouth) to enhance flavor.

🧊 Creating the Cocktail – Pointers

• Make one drink first to test—then let your spouse taste it too! Adjust from there.

• Too sweet? Add something sour (lemon, lime, or OJ).

• Needs flavor? Add a liqueur—but remember it contains alcohol.

• Write down what you adjust so you can recreate it.

🧰 Do You Have the Right Tools?

You don’t need them all, but they help!

• Jigger – Dual-sided (1 oz and 2 oz) is best.

• Shaker – Boston (two tins) or three-piece shaker (can, strainer, lid). Shaking adds froth and refreshes drinks.

• Mixing Glass & Bar Spoon – For stirred drinks. A twisted bar spoon helps stir gently without bubbles.

• Strainers –

  • Hawthorne: Has a spring coil, good for many cocktails.

  • Julep: Spoon-like with holes; less common.

✅ Tips and Tricks

• Use fresh ingredients and high-quality spirits.

• Add less at first—easy to tweak.

• Avoid dairy + citrus (causes curdling).

• Chill the glass before serving (freezer or ice).

• Shake drinks with juice; stir drinks without to avoid over-dilution.

🌅 Cocktail Idea: Lake Wedowee Sunset, Sunrise, & Starry Night

A beautiful layered cocktail inspired by lake views.

Each layer represents:

• Red – Sunrise or sunset

• Orange/Yellow – Daytime sunshine

• Green – Lake water

• Blue – Starry sky

🌈 What You’ll Need:

• Malibu rum (or coconut-flavored rum + simple syrup)

• Grenadine syrup

• Pineapple or orange juice

• Blue Curacao

• Water or coconut water

• Ice

• Glass (2 cups capacity; daiquiri glass works well)

🧋 How to Assemble:

1. Pour 1 oz grenadine syrup into the glass.

2. Add ice cubes or crushed ice.

3. Mix 5 oz pineapple juice + 2 oz Malibu Rum in a separate cup.

4. Pour ½ of the mixture over ice. Stir gently for orange layer. Pour rest—don’t stir—for yellow.

5. In a separate cup, mix ½ oz water + ¼ oz Blue Curacao. Pour over a spoon to create green layer.

6. Finally, pour ¼ oz Blue Curacao on top over a spoon to create a blue layer.

Enjoy your lake-themed cocktail masterpiece!