Squeeze the Day: Mastering Citrus in Cocktails

Explicit content warning

10/21/24 • 26 min

In this week’s episode of The Cocktail Academy Podcast, Damian takes us on a deep dive into one of the most essential ingredients in cocktail making: citrus. From lemons and limes to oranges and grapefruit, citrus plays a critical role in creating balance, adding freshness, and enhancing flavor. Damian covers everything you need to know about how to choose, store, juice, and maximize the potential of your citrus fruits to craft top-notch cocktails. Plus, we dispel common myths about citrus preparation, share techniques on getting the most juice, and reveal the best tools for every bartending situation—whether you’re mixing at home or in a high-volume bar. 🍹

Oh, and there’s some exciting news about the Cocktail Academy Podcast being nominated for two awards at the Irish Podcast Awards! 🏆

Key Topics:

Why citrus is critical for cocktail balance and flavor
How to select the best citrus for juicing and garnishing
Juicing techniques: handheld presses, lever presses, and electric juicers
Busting myths: Does microwaving citrus really get more juice? 🍋 (Spoiler: No!)
Best practices for storing and preserving citrus and juice
Flavor profiles of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit in cocktails
Quick tips on keeping citrus fresh for longer
What is Super Juice? And why is it the future of citrus in cocktails?

Pro Tips:

Keep your citrus cold for better juice yield.
Always cut citrus across the equator for maximum juice.
Don’t forget to strain your juice for a clean, pulp-free finish!

Exciting News: We’ve been nominated for Best New Podcast and Best Educational Podcast at the Irish Podcast Awards! 🎉 Tune in as Damian shares his excitement and gratitude for all the listeners who have supported the show.

If you love the podcast, don’t forget to hit follow or subscribe on your favorite platform, leave us a review, and share with your fellow cocktail enthusiasts. 🍸

Connect With Us: Instagram: @welovecocktails

TikTok: @welovecocktailsx

Website: Cocktail Academy

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oh, and there’s some exciting news about the Cocktail Academy Podcast being nominated for two awards at the Irish Podcast Awards! 🏆

Key Topics:

Why citrus is critical for cocktail balance and flavor
How to select the best citrus for juicing and garnishing
Juicing techniques: handheld presses, lever presses, and electric juicers
Busting myths: Does microwaving citrus really get more juice? 🍋 (Spoiler: No!)
Best practices for storing and preserving citrus and juice
Flavor profiles of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit in cocktails
Quick tips on keeping citrus fresh for longer
What is Super Juice? And why is it the future of citrus in cocktails?

Pro Tips:

Keep your citrus cold for better juice yield.
Always cut citrus across the equator for maximum juice.
Don’t forget to strain your juice for a clean, pulp-free finish!

If you love the podcast, don’t forget to hit follow or subscribe on your favorite platform, leave us a review, and share with your fellow cocktail enthusiasts. 🍸

Connect With Us: Instagram: @welovecocktails

TikTok: @welovecocktailsx

Website: Cocktail Academy

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

020: Chilling with Camper: The art of Clear Ice.

Damian Cole chats with Camper English, the cocktail world's renowned ice expert and author of Doctors and Distillers and The Ice Book. Tune in for a deep dive into the science behind clear ice, its role in elevating cocktails, and how you can make it at home using the game-changing method of directional freezing. Camper and Damian explore the myths and tips surrounding ice, like why boiling water doesn't help with clarity and why you should be storing your ice separately to avoid freezer odors. They also share insights into how ice impacts dilution and cooling, bust common misconceptions about bartending, and geek out over the best ways to make the perfect gin and tonic.

Finally, Camper answers quick-fire questions, shares his biggest cocktail disasters (like muddling a houseplant), and controversially nominates the hanky panky cocktail as one he'd erase from history!

What You'll Learn:

The importance of ice in cocktails and how directional freezing can help you make crystal-clear ice at home.
How ice affects cocktail dilution and temperature, and why clear ice is aesthetically and functionally superior.
Secrets to creating the perfect gin and tonic, including why you should keep your gin in the fridge, not the freezer.
Camper’s top cocktail book recommendations, including The Bar Book by Jeffrey Morgenthaler and Liquid Intelligence by Dave Arnold.
Fun and geeky ice tips, like how to incorporate toys into ice blocks and make garnished ice for party punches.

Loved this episode? Make sure to follow the Cocktail Academy podcast for more fascinating discussions with the experts who are shaking up the cocktail world!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

The Agave Experience: Unfiltered Insights with Lucas Assis

In this episode Damian sits down with Lucas Assis, a passionate bartender, content creator, and educator known for his advocacy for transparency in agave spirits. Lucas shares his bartending journey, from his start in the industry to his rise as a trusted voice on social media, and his love for tequila and mezcal. This conversation dives deep into the agave industry, debunking myths, discussing the impact of celebrity brands, and emphasizing the cultural significance of agave spirits.

Key Topics Covered:

Lucas’ Path to the Bar World

Early experiences in hospitality and bartending, from being a restaurant greeter to his first shift behind the bar.
Working under mentors like Matt Biancanello and transitioning into the world of craft cocktails and agave spirits.

Pandemic Pivots and Social Media Influence

Lucas’ transition to online content creation, including his successful cocktail-to-go venture and his rise on Instagram and TikTok.
How creating cocktail content online fueled his mission to educate consumers on agave spirits and the importance of quality ingredients.

The Tequila Boom & Celebrity Brands

Breaking down the impact of celebrity tequilas and the rise of additive-laden spirits that mislead consumer expectations.
Lucas sheds light on how the lack of transparency in tequila regulation affects quality and offers guidance on how to spot authentic, additive-free tequila.

Demystifying Agave Spirits

Key misconceptions about tequila and mezcal, including the true taste profiles, differences between brands, and terroir’s role in the agave world.
Exploring the four categories of additives allowed in tequila and the need for clearer labeling standards for consumers.

Life Lessons from the Mexican Bartending Scene

Lucas shares his admiration for the vibrant, unpretentious cocktail culture in Mexico, where creativity thrives despite limited resources.
Lucas' favorite bar, El Gallo Altanero, and why it captures the heart of Mexican hospitality.

Key Takeaways:

Transparency Matters: Lucas emphasizes the importance of knowing what’s in your bottle and recognizing the quality that comes from additive-free, traditionally crafted agave spirits.
Enjoying Spirits Authentically: Why sipping tequila neat or in a well-balanced cocktail allows for a deeper appreciation of its rich complexity and heritage.
The Power of Social Media: How creators like Lucas are bridging the gap for consumers by making high-quality cocktail knowledge more accessible.

Connect with Lucas Assis:

Thanks for Listening! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Cocktail Academy on your favorite podcast platform. Keep up with us on social media for more cocktail tips and tricks, and stay tuned for more great episodes!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.