Spirit Bases: How They Create Magic

3. Sugar Cane

Although it's connected to molasses, cachaça (Brazil's national spirit) comes from sugarcane juice, not a byproduct. This gives cachaça a fresher, grassier flavour compared to rum made from molasses. Some agricole-style rums also use sugarcane as their starting point, which results in a similar bright and plant-like taste profile.

Cocktails to Try:

• Caipirinha – This cocktail showcases the natural sweetness of cachaça. You make it by combining the spirit with crushed lime and sugar.
• Ti' Punch – A basic rum drink from the French Caribbean where sugarcane rules.
• Daiquiri – This simple blend of rum, lime, and sugar highlights a well-crafted sugarcane spirit.

4. Grain

Grain serves as the foundation for many popular spirits around the world. Different grains yield different results:

• Barley has a major impact on malt whisky Scotch. The alcohol made from barley becomes whisky after it sits in barrels to age for at least two years.
• Rye gives rye whiskey its spicy kick, which makes it famous for its bold taste and complexity.
• Corn is the main ingredient in bourbon, which leads to a sweeter smoother whiskey with a rich caramel taste underneath.

Cocktails to Try:

• Whiskey Sour – This classic cocktail lets rye or bourbon shine. It strikes a balance between the spirit's strong flavour and the sweetness of lemon and sugar.
• Old Fashioned – The Old Fashioned puts the spirit in the spotlight. You can enjoy the spiciness of rye or the sweetness of bourbon.
• Manhattan – Rye whiskey fans love this drink. It mixes sweet vermouth and bitters to create a rich fragrant experience.

5. Potato

When you think about vodka, potatoes might come to mind if you're into traditional Polish and Russian varieties. While many vodkas now come from grains, potato vodka has a silkier texture and richer body, which some people prefer. Vodka's neutral flavour allows it to blend well in various mixed drinks, but the base ingredient has an influence on its subtle texture and finish.

Cocktails to Try:

• Bloody Mary – A brunch favourite where vodka's neutral flavour allows the spices and tomato juice to stand out.
• Vodka Martini – Clean, pure, and elegant—an ideal way to showcase premium potato vodka.
• Moscow Mule – Ginger beer, lime, and vodka come together in this refreshing drink that's as vibrant as it is simple.

6. Rice

Rice-based drinks sake and shōchū have deep roots in Japan and other Asian countries. Brewers make sake like beer, while shōchū undergoes distillation to create a drink with mild earthy flavours. Rice also helps to produce baijiu, the most consumed spirit  known for its powerful and complex taste profile.

Cocktails to Try:

• Saketini – A posh twist on the martini that swaps out vermouth for sake.
• Shochu Sour – Bright and tangy, this cocktail highlights the subtle tastes of shōchū with citrus.
• Baijiu Negroni – A new spin on the classic where baijiu's complex flavours add richness to the original Negroni.

Special Mention: Vodka & Gin – The Guidelines and the Outliers

In most countries, the definition of vodka depends on its lack of flavour allowing it to come from almost anything as long as distillation removes most tastes. The base can be potatoes, grains, or even fruit. But here's the catch—each country makes its own rules. Take Poland and Russia, for example. They follow tradition and prefer potatoes and grains. Meanwhile other places don't put limits on ingredients.

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