In Miss Mojito’s cocktail sipping and sampling, I’ve started to notice that it’s the details that make a difference between the good and the great. A frosted glass, perfectly crushed ice or a unique garnish can take a cocktail to that next level.
Here are a few cocktail details that I’ve noticed and enjoyed of late.
Utensils, Please: On a recent weekend get-away to Staunton, I chose sangria as my drink of choice at Zynadoa, an amazing eatery with a focus on the southern and the local. To accompany the sangria, the server gave me a darling and diminutive fork to fish out the juicy fruit left floating about in the glass. Perfect!
Salt AND Peppa: My favorite part of a cucumber martini I recently enjoyed was the topping on the glass rim, which received a quick dip in a bath of sea salt and freshly cracked pepper. Salt is a standard accoutrement in cocktail mixing, but the extra touch of pepper made it super-special.
Keep the Champagne Flowing: I was delighted, while partaking in a pomegranate bellini, to receive the leftover champagne from the small split used to pour the glass. The drinker can control the sweetness level by topping of the bellini with a bit of the extra champagne.
Foamy Forecast : While sampling margaritas at the new Ventana restaurant in Charlottesville, my favorite part of the cocktail menu was the foam toppings. My margartia, for example, came crowned in a foam of tangerine, lending an extra flavor punch.
Miss Mojito wants to know: What are your favorite little details that take a cocktail from ordinary to extraordinary?
Shoes & Cocktails 
Great post! Had sangria over the weekend, and we were only given an old wooden spoon. It was difficult to fish out the fruit from that giant pitcher — extra utensils would’ve been a big help. We also really appreciate fresh fruit in garnishes, not fruit that’s dried out, really soggy, been sitting out too long, and so forth.
Cheers!
– DIA
I’m a firm believer that the glass from which you sip the beverage is at least half the fun of the drink. And I think the contents of my china cabinet would agree with me.
I do love a good garnish – there’s nothing like a juice-free lime wedge to ruin a good cocktail.
CQ, be on the lookout for a glassware post in the future!
DIA, CQ, Miss M, you all after my heart! Fresh garnishes, appropriate glassware and ice — I couldn’t agree more.
I am a big fan of the giant ice cube that does not melt, is that a garnish, though?!
It might not be a garnish, but it’s definitely a fantastic cocktail detail! The only problem (or benefit) with no-melt ice cubes is that you’ll get tipsy a bit more quickly without the extra ice to water-down your cocktail!
Yes! I’ve been to Zynodoa many times. A+
Its the best place for a bite pre-theatre or a few drinks post-theatre when in the area. Staunton by far has the best drinking/gastronomie in the area.
oh yes… my favorite detail about a drink… 2 for 1 specials.