Summer cocktails are so much more enjoying outside on a patio. I’ve discovered two free apps to help you make the perfect beverage.
Cocktail Flow (Free): Available for the iPhone & Android
Unlike many other free apps, Cocktail Flow is not gimmicky or bursting with tacky ads. Instead, it has a clean design and beautiful illustrations. Even the recipe cards are colour coded to add an element of fun. Each recipe is easy to follow and uses simple ingredients. Moreover, the app offers a plethora of categories and themes to rescue the indecisive. If you are planning a girls’ or guys’ night out, it’s already picked the best drinks for you. The themes also have personalities such as “I am a Star” and “House Party,” and the app offers a playlist of colourful cocktails to make. While Cocktail Flow showcases a wide selection of martini drinks, it doesn’t forget about sparkling, classic, and frozen ones either. And if you still can’t decide on a cocktail, it offers a weekly roundup of the most popular recipes.
If you aren’t a big drinker or are serving someone who doesn’t consume alcohol (but doesn’t want to feel left out), it has a lot of great mocktail recipes to choose from. In addition, if you straight up need a smoothie, to my surprise, Cocktail Flow offers a bunch of creative non-alcoholic alternatives. Some of my favourite titles include Lemonade Smoothie, Avocado-Pear Smoothie, and Not Easy Being Green Smoothie. Another great feature is the “my lounge” tab. Let’s say you didn’t have time to pick up the ingredients for a specific drink. Just input all of the items currently in your kitchen, And Cocktail Flow will instantly present a list of cocktails (and non-alcoholic drinks) to prepare. And this is all for free. Sweet Deal!
Pomegranate Manhattan
| Ingredients:
3 parts bourbon 2 ¼ parts pomegranate juice 1 splash club soda 1 dash Angostura bitters Ice cubes |
Directions
- Add ice to the shaker.
- Add Bourbon, pomegranate juice and Angostura bitters to the shaker.
- Shake well.
- Strain into an old-fashioned glass.
- Pour club soda into the glass.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge.
| Glassware recommendation: Rona Drinkmaster 400 ml Stemless Martini Glass |
FOOD & WINE is a reputable magazine that has launched another free app filled with great cocktail recipes. Like Cocktail Flow, it’s a beautifully designed application. Though it’s supported by advertisements, they’re not too aggressive and it’s all done in good taste. When you launch the app, there are six categories, each with three to five subcategories. I like that Food & Wine curates the most unique recipes instead of inundating you with hundreds. It’s really easy to navigate and the high-quality photos help with the process.
An interesting feature of this app is the drink and food pairing recommendations. For instance, if you are inclined to drink gin, this liquor has its own category. I picked the California Collins, which F&W recommends pairing with Honey-Glazed Baby Back Ribs with Whiskey Marinade. Sounds boozy! I’m okay with that. Aren’t you? Check out the recipes for yourself.
Ingredients:
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Directions
In a collins glass, gently muddle the lemon verbena leaves or lemongrass bulb. Add ice and the gin and apple juice; stir well. If using lemongrass, discard the bulb. Stir in the club soda.
| Glassware Recommendation: Luminarc Cristal D’Arques 266ml Longchamp Highball Glasses |
What’s your favorite cocktail? Share in the comments below.
