DrinksDirect.NG Partners With Cane Integrated Investment Ltd To Empower Women And Young Adults
Have you been wondering how to kickstart your business journey and you’re unable to raise capital? Do you own or have access to a decent size space within Lagos that can be used for a store/outlet/lounge? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then you can benefit from DrinksDirect.NG and Cane Integrated Investment Ltd. partnership programme.
DrinksDirect.NG in partnership with Cane Integrated Investment Ltd. is giving Nigerians the opportunity to become business owners through its inventory funding/ Receivable Purchase programme for qualified applicants.
The idea was introduced as a solution to tackle the challenges of unemployment and restlessness amongst the ever-growing segment of the population and will provide direct inventory funding for 50 qualified applicants in the first phase of the programme. The plan is to increase the number and location in the second phase.
The beneficiaries of the initiative will get all products and inventory supplies from DrinksDirect.NG, funded by Cane Integrated Investment Ltd. at no interest rate provided they are able to meet the specified requirements.
The initiative is a partnership with the beneficiaries and not a one-off scheme, additional small business support and advisory services will be provided. Existing businesses that fit the profile can also apply to be a part of the initiative.
How To Apply
If you fit into any of the categories or you think you qualify to benefit from this initiative, please fill out this form and a representative from our team will reach out to you.
4 TOP-NOTCH GARNISHING IDEAS FOR COCKTAILS
EP 9: Lazy Bartender By Drinksdirect.NG
The Art Of Garnishing
It’s in our nature to be drawn to beauty, to seek it, and even to be influenced by it. In many ways, beauty truly is power. It has a special power over us, and it can truly improve our experiences.
At first glance, it might not seem like much, but the way a cocktail is presented to us is a critical component of our drinking experience.
The experience with the preparation of the cocktail, developing anticipation as the drink is carefully prepared, our senses begin to take in all of the sights, smells, sounds, and feel of the process. Finally, once shaken or stirred and strained, we garnish.
The garnish is the final touch, meant to accentuate the drink’s flavours, tie them together, contrast with them, or perfectly compliment them. Below are our top 4 garnishing methods for cocktails:
1. TWIST GARNISHING WITH CITRUS PEEL
One of the easiest and most common garnishes for cocktails is the twist. No matter what type of twist you use, though, the basic idea remains the same. A twist is a tool for expressing citrus oil into a drink. Squeeze the peel over the surface of the cocktail, rub the coloured side (not the white pith) around the rim of the glass, and either drop the peel into the glass or discard, it’s Your call.
2. MINT GARNISHING
Mint isn’t much harder to work with than twists are. The main thing with mint is to have a light hand, especially when muddling. When you garnish the top of the glass, use a fresh bunch of sprigs (don’t be miserly, and don’t reuse the stuff you muddled), and be sure to sharply spank the mint to release its aromas. Yes, I said spank.
3. DRESSING UP THE RIM WITH SALT, SUGAR & SPICE
A speedy way to add a bit of flair to most cocktails. This is usually a two-way garnishing method that works perfectly well with sweet and punchier cocktails. This garnishing method (with sugar) would make a nice addition to cocktails on the sweeter side such as a bright-coloured cosmopolitan. In the case of punchier cocktails like a margarita, for instance, a salted rim is the way to go. But instead of just using plain old salt, mix it with a bit of micro planed lime zest. You could also try mixing in different spices that bring out the drink’s flavours, like cinnamon, cayenne, or even smoked salt.
4. TRANSFORM APPLE SLICES INTO FLOWERS
These apple roses might look technically difficult, but they’re actually pretty easy to pull off. Slice the apples with a mandolin (or if your knife skills are first-rate, use a sharp knife) and simmer them over low heat in a mixture of lemon juice and water. Once cooled, roll one slice to make the centre, then roll each slice around the centre until you have a rose. Use a skewer to hold everything together and top on an Apple-centric drink, like a cold-weather riff on a Moscow mule with apple cider, ginger beer, and lime.
Garnishes add visual appeal as well as aromatics and subtle flavours to cocktails. These small elements can have a big impact on the finished drink, so don’t skip them!
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Source; thespruceeats
How To Spot A Professional & Mediocre Bartender
EP 8: Lazy Bartender By Drinksdirect.NG
Simple Bartending Ethics that Counts
The drinking landscape has certainly changed for young people and it’s likely to continue adapting similar behaviours to accommodate future generations.
Today attention has become a commodity for marketers, it’s scarce and like anything in economics, It takes more effort than a good marketing strategy to entice the young demographic to drink away from home.
Bartenders are most times the centre of attraction for most uptown bars, as they have a very unique way of adding a touch of elegance to the ambience and also catching the attention of the customers with their skills and stuants, enabling them to earn more tips from the visitors.
What is the difference between a Professional Bartender and a mediocre Bartender? Most bar users seldomly ask this question, as much attention hasn’t been given to the little details that distinguish a professional bartender from a mediocre one.
Contrary to popular belief, it takes a lot to be a good bartender as we’ve all been upset at a poor service rendered to us at some point by a bartender. But equally, we also know when we get good service, we always tend to remember how we are treated by the bartenders more than the cost of the drinks.
So, here are some key pointers to help you distinguish between a professional & a mediocre Bartender;
A MEDIOCRE BARTENDER
- A mediocre Bartender is easily overwhelmed and often messes up orders.
- A mediocre Bartender lets their bar accumulate clutter, including empty glasses, napkins, and other trash.
- A mediocre Bartender does not know how to mix drinks and often has to step away to look up drink recipes.
- A mediocre Bartender only pays attention to favourite customers and often neglect new guests.
- A mediocre Bartender does not know how to spot the signs of intoxication
- A mediocre Bartender just bartends to receive a paycheck.
- A mediocre Bartender doesn’t know what cutlery/condiments are needed for each dish/drink served.
A PROFESSIONAL BARTENDER
- A professional Bartender can take multiple orders at once.
- Often, a professional bartender is expected to dress appropriately to add elegance to the atmosphere of the bar.
- A professional bartender knows how to mix a plethora of hundred drinks to please any paying customer in a quick, accurate and non-wasteful fashion
- A professional bartender should be friendly, however, and enjoy having contact and communication with customers.
- A professional Bartender makes sure their customers’ drinks are never empty for long.
- A professional Bartender makes sure their bar is clean and tidy always.
- Professional Bartender never over-serves and knows the signs of intoxication.
- Professional Bartenders take pride in their work.
- A professional Bartender thanks customers for their patronage when they are leaving.
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RASPBERRY PROSECCO COCKTAIL
EP 7: Lazy Bartender By Drinksdirect.NG
Sipping Bubbles
There is something about a raspberry prosecco cocktail that makes sipping bubbles that much happier.
This raspberry prosecco cocktail is going to be the hit of any party!
For those not familiar with Prosecco, it is a sparkling wine grown in the North-East Veneto region of Italy.
It’s fruity and light and sometimes has a hint of sweetness. Unlike Champagne, what we love about Prosecco and Riondo Prosecco in particular, it can be drunk every day and not only on special occasions.
INGREDIENTS
- 6 oz Prosecco
- 1 oz Chambord
- 3 raspberries, garnish
- 1 tsp mint, garnish
DIRECTIONS
- Pour 1 ounce of Chambord into the bottom of your glass.
- Slowly pour the Prosecco over the Chambord filling the glass.
- Add raspberries and mint for garnish.
- A fun alternative would be to add a teaspoon of simple syrup to the bottom of the glass with a pinch of mint and muddle the two together.
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Source; thespruceeats
MOCKTAILS YOU SHOULD TRY AT IFTAR
EP6: Lazy Bartender By DrinksdirectNG
RAMADAN MOCKTAIL
In Ramadan when the sun seems to stay in the middle of the sky forever and scorch every bit of water in you. These drinks work like rehydrating armour against the heat. Not only do they keep cool and hydrated but replenish the nutrients lost in sweat and keep you energized and focused.
Any Ramadan Iftar cannot be complete without refreshing natural fruits drinks, which makes them a far healthier choice than commercial soft drinks laden with chemicals and preservatives.
Here are a few
STRAWBERRY MINT LEMONADE
Strawberries are rich in antioxidants. This Ramadan drink is very tempting and yummy. It is a freezer-friendly drink. You can make strawberry syrup and freeze it in advance. This drink is definitely a go-to drink during iftar. Fresh or frozen strawberries both work fine for this drink.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, (trimmed & halved)
DIRECTIONS
- Put strawberry, mint, sugar, ice and water in a blender.
- Blend into a smooth liquid, do a taste test here.
- Fill glasses with juice,and enjoy.
WATERMELON JUICE
Watermelon juice makes a very refreshing drink to quench your thirst on a hot summer evening, after a workout or after Iftar. Since most watermelon is water, some people think it is a very light drink. But actually, it is very filling and heavy. Watermelon is high in fibre and is slightly difficult to digest. The fibre in watermelon helps digest other food that you eat but the fruit itself takes some time to digest completely.
INGREDIENTS
- 4 cups watermelon chunks, (800 gm)
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 6 tablespoon rose syrup or 4 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice
- Few mint leaves, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
- Pulse watermelon chunks in a blender for 30 seconds until liquidised. You might need to work in two batches depending on the capacity of the blender.
- If your watermelon has seeds, strain it through a coarse strainer, or skip this step if using seedless melon.
- Mix watermelon juice, lemon juice and rose syrup in a pitcher.
- Add ice to individual glasses and then pour the drink over ice. Garnish with a mint leaf and serve.
GINGER LEMONADE
This is more of an after-dinner drink that would help digest those fried snacks that aren’t healthy but are often served in buffets and dinners. Keep this drink at your disposal to help digestion in Ramadan after a heavy iftar meal.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups water, (500 ml)
- 1-inch piece of ginger
- 4 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoon honey, or jaggery or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon black salt
- ¼ teaspoon cumin, preferably roasted grounded
- few ice cubes, to chill
DIRECTIONS
- Put ginger and water in a blender to blend into a smooth liquid.
- Add lemon juice.
- Add black salt and roasted grounded cumin powder.
- Filter the liquid with a strainer and serve with ice cubes.
- Alternately, you can also use half water in blending and add half club soda just before serving to give this drink a further kick.
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Source; thespruceeats
HOW TO EXPLORE THE WORLD OF COCKTAILS
EP5: Lazy Bartender By DrinksdirectNG
COCKTAIL VOYAGE
Before you start creating and experimenting with cocktails, explore different palates, from citrus to bitter. Explore distilled categories other than those you are used to drinking. Start tasting neat or with a splash of water at room temperature, to understand each aroma and flavour.
If you are a liquor or spirits drinker, taste more complex, smoky and intense distilled spirits to get an idea of body and intensity, Mezcal, Scotch, Single Malt Whiskies are great examples for you to start exploring.
Know and work with texture, such as sour cocktails and a classic Bloody Mary. Know your profile, and your preferences, and keep searching for different results to get a well-balanced cocktail.
Starting from the classic and modern cocktail styles will give you a ride on what works overall, for you to try different ingredients and combinations, following the same classic line.
Here are 4 top guides to consider when exploring the world of cocktail
1. EXPLORE DIFFERENT SPIRIT CATEGORIES THAN YOU ARE USED TO
Start tasting the spirit neat or with a splash of water at room temperature to understand each aroma and flavour it has to offer.
2. EVOLVE YOUR TASTE
Start exploring citrus flavours and then gradually migrate to more bitter flavours
3. TRY WHISKEY WITH SMOKY CHARACTERISTICS
If you are a liquor drinker, taste more complex, smoky and intense distilled spirits, to get an idea of body and intensity. Mezcal, scotch whiskey and single malt are a great examples for you to start exploring.
4. WORK WITH TEXTURE
Texture refers to the mouth-feel notes a drink leaves in your mouth after sipping. Start enjoying denser cocktails, with a more elaborate texture like Brandy sour or Bloody Mary.
5. DISCOVER WHAT YOUR TASTE PROFILE IS
Understanding your preferences better is the most important way to the cocktail world because you will always be able to explore the categories of spirits and cocktails that best match your palate profile, and also evolve it to explore other characteristics and categories.
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Source; shakestrain
USING EGGS IN COCKTAILS
EP4: Lazy Bartender By DrinksdirectNG
Foam-vs-ice
Bartenders have come up with a variety of techniques over the years to accomplish this delicate balancing act of foam-vs-ice, and all remain hotly debated. Some employ the “reverse dry shake,” in which egged ingredients are shaken with ice first then given an iceless dry shake after. Some dry shake but then swirl or stir the drink gently with ice, rather than shaking it a second time, to avoid overly diluting the foam with water, doesn’t work for me. Some even use handheld immersion blenders to power-froth a mixture, it creates too much foam in my opinion.
Whichever technique is employed, eggs can add a fun, interesting dimension to an otherwise basic cocktail like a whiskey sour or bramble for example. The most effective technique for me is the “dry shaken” using a Parisian shaker. With the right execution, time and ingredients chosen, the results are extraordinary aesthetically and tastefully.
REASONS TO USE EGGS IN COCKTAIL
Adding Eggs to drinks is a tradition that dates back more than a century. Besides novelty, the egg whites give your cocktail a rich creamy texture and a beautiful foamy cap with very little effect on the taste. Unpasteurized egg whites are basically odourless and tasteless, so their contribution is entirely textural.
Just like a mousse or meringue, drinks that call for egg white also include citrus juice and some sugar syrup along with the liquor and egg. Agitating this mixture creates luxurious foam.
MIXING EGGS INTO COCKTAILS
Separate the egg safely from its shell and avoid using the shell. Then, add all the ingredients (including the egg) in a cocktail shaker and shaken without ice (Dry shake technique). This process allows the egg protein to begin to unravel and form foam without being diluted with melting ice. Ice is then added to the shaker to more violently agitate the mixture. this second phase cools the liquid and strengthens the foam. When strained the cocktail will have a velvety and beautiful frothy, longer cap.
Now that we’ve established the theory of using egg whites in cocktails, its time to practice, by making a SLOE GIN FIZZ
SLOE GIN FIZZ RECIPE
- 60ml sloe Gin
- 20ml Lemon juice
- 15ml simple syrup
- 1 Egg white
- Top up with soda water
DIRECTION
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake vigorously without ice for 7 – 10 seconds.
- Add ice and shake until cool through, about 12-15 seconds.
- Strain into a collins glass over ice and carefully top with a splash of soda water. (To avoid spillage, add soda water slowly). The carbonation will add a lot of volume to the egg foam. Enjoy
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Source; shakestrain
JOHNNIE & GREEN TEA HIGHBALL COCKTAIL
EP3: Lazy Bartender By DrinksdirectNG
#jw Series
The unconventional pairing of whisky and green tea may raise a few eyebrows, but we can assure you that this combination is truly delicious. Mixing the smooth and smoky finish of Johnnie Walker Black Label with the delicate matcha flavour creates a super neutral and refreshing serve.
INGREDIENTS:
- 50ML JW BLACK LABEL
- 50ML GREEN TEA MIXER
- TOP WITH SODA
- GARNISH: PINEAPPLE LEAF AND LEMONGRASS
DIRECTIONS:
- Pour Johnnie Walker Black Label 50ml over ice.
- Mix. Top with 150ml Sweet Green Tea and stir to mix.
- Garnish. Finish with lemongrass and a pineapple leaf or cucumber.
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Source; johnniewalker
JOHNNIE & LEMON HIGHBALL COCKTAIL
EP 2: Lazy Bartender By Drinksdirect.NG
#jw Series
Bringing out the citrusy notes of Johnnie Walker Black Label, the Johnnie & Lemon highball is the perfect cocktail refresher. Topped with a mint garnish and lemon slice, this is an appetising and thirst-quenching cooler – perfect for a spring evening or weekend BBQ.
INGREDIENTS
- 50ML JW BLACK LABEL
- 150ML LEMONADE
- 25 ml SUGAR SYRUP
- GARNISH: LEMON PEEL AND MINT LEAF
DIRECTIONS
- Blend lemon juice with 25 ml sugar syrup and soda water.
- Garnish with lemon peel and mint or verbena leaf for extra flair.
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Source; johnniewalker
JOHNNIE & GINGER HIGHBALL COCKTAIL
EP 1: Lazy Bartender By Drinksdirect.NG
#jw Series
Prepare for a love affair with fire and spice in a Johnnie & Ginger cocktail. Commonly recognised as “Whiskey Ginger” or “Ginger Highball” they’re all the same refreshing drink.
The traditional ginger highball is loved by cocktail lovers and neat whisky drinkers alike. Bringing the spicier notes of the Johnnie Walker blend, the star anise and ginger flavours accompany the liquid beautifully.
INGREDIENTS
- 50 ML JW BLACK LABEL
- 150ML GINGER ALE
- GARNISH: GINGER SLICE AND STAR ANISE
DIRECTIONS
- Fill a highball glass full of ice cubes and pour in the measured amount of JW Black Label whisky.
- Slowly pour in the Fever-Tree Ginger Ale
- Give a gentle stir and garnish with a fresh slice of orange
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Source; johnniewalker