Vodka

Vodka is an European clear distilled alcoholic drink that has been one of the most popular drinks across the world .

You'll find it to be the most popular spirit in drink making because of it's neutral taste and absence of flavour and colour.

Vodka often replaces Gin in many traditional cocktails

Vodka is known to be good for the heart, and if consumed in moderation, can prove to be good for cardiovascular health

Note that these days there are flavoured Vodka available in the market too, and some cocktails do make use of them.

Rum

Rum is a liqour that originated in the West indies and is made by fermenting then distilling sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice. The distillate is usually a clear liquid and is then aged in oak barrels.

Most Rums are produced in the Caribbeans and American countries, but are now produced in other sugar producing countries like PHilippines and Taiwan.

The first recorded mention of Rum comes from Barbados, in about 1650. They were originally called "kill-devil" or "rumbullion" and later on, simply Rum.

Sloe Gin

Sloe Gin is not a Gin, it's a British liqueur made with gin and sloes. Sloes are Plum like fruits which are traditionally picked after the first frost of winter in late October, pricked traditionally with a thorn from the blackthorn bush on which sloes grow, then put in a jar with sugar and gin and steeped for at least three months while turning the jar every day initially, then every week until ready.

The liqueur is then decanted carefully to eliminate all sediments and a clear red liqueur is left. Sloe Gin is 15% to 30% ABV. EU established standard requires a minimum of 25% ABV for the liqueur to be recognised as a Sloe Gin.

Sloe Gin is the only non-Gin product that is still legally allowed to be called a Gin, despite the fact that it is a Gin based liqueur and is often even made with neutral grain spirits in place of Gin.

Malibu Coconut Rum

A Coconut Rum is a White Rum made following the usual fermentation of sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice, then distillation of it into a clear liquid, which is then aged in stainless steel barrels. White Rums are colourless since they are aged in steel barrels where as Dark Rums get their hue from the charred oak barrels they are agedin.

A Coconut Rum is essentially thus a white Rum infused with coconut flavour by steeping coconut meat in Rum and leaving to infuse for at least two weeks. Then once infused, the coconut is filtered out and the flavoured Rum is bottled and sold. From the infusion it attains a rich tropical flavour and creamy texture and is a favourite tropical drink to uplift your mood, where ever you are.

Amaretto Almond Liqueur

Amaretto is a liqueur, a sweet Italian liqueur that originated in Saronno. There are different brands and each have their slight variations and ingredients vary from apricot kernel, bitter almonds, peach stones or almonds, all these are natural sources of the benzaldehyde that brings the almond flavour to the liqueur. Amaretto usually contains a 21% to 48% Alcohol by Volume.

Amaretto liqueur can be drunk straight or used as an ingredient in mixed drinks, or with coffee.

The name Amaretto originated from the Italian word amaro, meaning bitter. Amaretto's bitterness is derived from the drupe kernel and although the bitterness of Amaretto tends to be mild, sweeteners and at time sweet almonds are added to enhance the flavour of the final product.

Orange Juice

Orange Juice is an excellent source of Vitamin C, one cup contains twice the daily recommended value. Vitamin C supports the immune system and helps fighting the common cold. The folate in Orange juice supports healthy fetal development. It is low calory and thus is already a qualified alternative to cola fizz in your cocktail if you want to keep your drinks acceptably healthy.

Orange Juice being citrus and naturally sweet and sour, it literally goes with almost any liquor, and of course Vodka being neutral, the best known pairing is with Vodka. But goes well with Dark Rum too, and you get the Planter's Punch, mix it with Champagne and you have made a mimosa, or with tequila to make a tequila sunrise.

Pineapple Juice

Rich in antioxidants, this juice pressed from the pulp of the Pineapple is a good protection against cell degeneration, It contains bromelain, a group of enzymes known to reduce inflammation, improve digestion and boost immunity. In drink mixing, there is nothing like the tropical flavour of pineapple juice to add that tropical freshness and nuance to a cocktail.

In drink mixing pineapple having a fruity tropical aroma pineapple juice is a good companion for tropical fruits such as mango, banana, passion fruit, and also pairs well with oranges and grapefruit juice.

Pineapple juice is the juice pressed out of the pulp of the pineapple fruit, several varieties of pineapple are used to manufacture commercial pineapple juice. High on Vitamin C and enzymes that have been shown to activate healthy immune response, it’s a good juice to start a day. The enzyme bromelain in pineapple juice, triggers analgesic response in the body to fight pain and reduce swelling. In cocktails, Pineapple juice goes best with Vodka and is often a regular juice in many Vodka cocktails.