The Quickest Way to Master Your Favorite Cocktail
Expert mixologist Jim Meehan shares the secret, and—spoiler—it’s all about exploring your own tastes. Consider it essential knowledge for your home bar and beyond.
Illustration: 731; Bottles: Vendors
Now that your “local” is your living room and barhopping constitutes carrying a drink from the kitchen to the couch, the best place to look for a good martini is in the mirror. It’s a great time to perfect your bartending skills, and America is thirsty—spirits sales were up 63% year over year for the week ended March 22, according to data from Information Resources Inc.
We asked acclaimed mixologist Jim Meehan to help find your favorite version of beloved classic cocktails. Below, he recommends three terrific brands to try as the base liquor in each drink. You’ll find the top whiskeys for a Manhattan, the best rum for a daiquiri, and even an upgrade for your go-to vodka-soda highball. The goal? Drill down on nuances of flavor and identify your taste preferences. After all, you’re the bartender now.