Shall we make some drinks?
Who likes inviting friends over for a pre-party or a little party at home? That good vibe, with a comfortable couch to sit on, you in charge of the music (killing the playlists), tequila-laced drinks , and most importantly: only people you like - or at least that's what you hope for, right?
But no one deserves to fall into the trap of always serving beer, wine, or that same old cocktail. So why not try creating something different? We know that these days, all you have to do is open Google and you'll be bombarded with an endless selection of drink recipes, and you don't need to be an experienced bartender to follow some of them .
That's when the questions arise: Do I need a cocktail shaker (or cocktail shaker for the more sophisticated)? What the heck are strainers , julep strainers, ballerina spoons, or mixing glasses ? And where do I find all these things? This can sometimes make me feel lazy and even insecure when it comes to making drinks for friends. So, in this article, we'll show you everything you need to have at home to create great drinks and also what you can improvise to become the best bartender in the room!
WHAT DO I NEED?
The first thing you'll need is obvious: Quetzalli . It's a ready-made drink made with tequila, passion fruit, lime juice, and sweetened with agave syrup. All you need is a refrigerator, ice, and a glass, and everyone can enjoy a delicious and refreshing cocktail. It doesn't get any easier than this!
Now, if you want to innovate and create other drinks with your Quetzalli, just click here to discover new, delicious and original recipes to enjoy your day. Finally, let's get to the point! Discover, without myths or fluff, what you really need to have at home to be able to make these and other great tequila drink recipes in a practical, quick, and amazing way.
1. THE FAMOUS COCKTAIL SHAKER
This is an essential item for creating a variety of classic and bold drinks at home. It's nothing more than a container for adding ingredients and mixing. In other words, a glass jar with a lid can be an excellent substitute, right? It's that simple! You know that little jar of hearts of palm you were about to throw away? Hold on tight! It can be the linchpin of this endeavor and serve as your official cocktail shaker for socializing with friends, even serving as that cool glass. This way, it even resembles those unusual drinks we find on hipsters' Pinterest, just waiting to be pinned. 
2. BOARD AND KNIFE - DYNAMIC DUO
Two items everyone has at home that are super useful right now for bartending . The only tip is: clean the cutting board well before using it to avoid the transfer of unwanted odors or flavors from other foods that were cut there. Can you imagine that onion flavor in your Get-Hi drink? No one deserves that!
03. DOSADOR - THE GUARDIAN ANGEL OF THE GALLERY
The measuring cup is nothing more than a small cup used to measure the quantity of each ingredient, in this case, drinks. Believe me, it can be one of the most important items in the entire scheme, as it's what separates a night of dancing and laughter from an entire night watching the ceiling spin. Do you know what you can use to replace this gourmet drinkware item, following a good DIY adaptation? It's simple; just use the same logic as when we're cooking and don't have a scale to weigh 200g of flour. In that case, we use a teacup to perform the same measurement, and this can also be applied to drink recipes. Here are some easy-to-use measurements that will make preparing your drinks much easier and give you greater control over their alcohol content.
In some cases the measurements are so small that it is better to use a spoon:
04. THE POMPOUS SPOON DANCER
This "dancing" spoon appears in several recipes and is actually widely used in cocktails. It's a long, thin spoon with twists that allow you to slowly add ingredients, building the drink one layer at a time. It seems complicated, right? But don't worry, we'll get you out of that trouble (which is loving you)! You can replace it with a regular tablespoon, no problem! If you have one without a plastic handle, that's even better. After all, most of the time you'll only use it to stir your drink, so any spoon will do—just don't use your finger.
05. MUDLER - OR JUST A PUNCHER
The muddler is often used in the infamous caipirinha and any drink with or without tequila that requires muddling an ingredient . Any thick handle is fine here. But be careful: don't use a knife handle. We don't want any cut hands (sometimes the obvious needs to be stated)! Ideally, use a wooden spoon, as it often has a thicker handle than your cutlery, and its size also helps muddle the ingredients in your drink more easily.
06. THE STRAINER COMPLEX
Of course, using a strainer attached to your cocktail shaker would be much more practical, but let's be honest. Between you and me, it's just a strainer! Using the same old strainer that separates the pulp from the orange juice won't change the final result at all; after all, the idea here is just to strain the ingredients for your drink. So, there you have it, another successful replacement.
07. MIXER - THE BLOGGERS' FAVORITE
Yes, you can replace your mixer with a blender, no problem! It'll work for making smoothies, blending fruit, and even crushing ice ;) You'll need to be mindful of the timing. After all, no one wants their drinks to be mushy or the ice to always look like a slushie. Just blend for less time and gradually stir in the ingredients. The motto here is "take it easy."
Besides, these are tools you probably already have at home (or should), such as a bottle opener, grater, peeler, etc. The point is, there's no need to be afraid to create. Improvisation is always welcome; it makes everything more fun and original.
If you're looking for a gift, we suggest the Quetzal i Gift Kit . You can use the items above to make incredible drinks, or enjoy the drink straight, which is a true work of art in itself!
Now that we've demystified everything, all you need to do is run out and buy the ingredients and rock your Happy Hours at home. Do you have any different tips or questions? Let us know in the comments, we'd love to hear them! And don't forget to invite us to the next Happy Hour ;)
Now that you know 3 easy drinks to make at home, you can no longer use the excuse that famous drinks are too complicated or too expensive.
