What Spices To Add To Your Cocktails?

There are millions of possible combinations of different ingredients, flavours and liquids you could find in a Cocktail, something as simple as modifying the amount of alcohol you use can change the flavours.

You can dedicate your whole life to the Cocktail world and still never experience it all. I could go on forever with the possible combinations but today we are focusing on the different Spices you can effectively use in your Cocktails.

Here’s a quick overview of all the Spices on my list, keep reading on to find out a bit more.

• Cinnamon / Cinnamon Sticks
• Black Pepper
• Paprika
• Cardamom
• Anise
• Coriander Seeds
• Cumin
• Cloves

When looking for spices, you might want a sweeter touch, or you may lean towards the spicy side, either way, you’ll find plenty of Cocktails that incorporate Spice.

Cinnamon / Cinnamon Sticks

Cinnamon, a well-known and well-loved Spice that is obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the Genus Cinnamomum. It is often used around Christmas to festive the mood with its flavour and aroma, making this Spice a perfect addition to Christmas Cocktails, but it doesn’t just have to be for the Christmas Season, Cinnamon has been included in a great array of Cocktails.

Including the likes of the Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour, Apple Pie Cinnamon Cocktail, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cocktail or Caramel Cinnamon Martini.

Black Pepper

Black Pepper, also known as peppercorn is dried and used as a spice, which is perfect for food, so how well does it do in a Cocktail?

Black Pepper is more known in the cusine world, but it has made a spicy effect in the Cocktail would with The Dalmatian or the Blackberry-Black Pepper Cocktail.

When creating a Black Pepper Cocktail, you’re most likely going to be crushing the Black Pepper into a powder form, allowing it to be easily consumed with the Cocktail. Going for a stronger spirit is not going to be a bad idea, I once enjoyed a Gin infused with spices called the Midnight Gin, it was as good as the name sounds.

Paprika

Paprika is made from dried red peppers which are then grounded into powder, this may be the spiciest of spices on our list, being sure to pack a punch, so you shouldn’t expect anything less when used in a Cocktail, the likes of the Medicine Man, Sweetie Darling or Bloody Carioca Caipirinha Cocktails are ones to try if you enjoy a bit of Paprika.

Cardamom

Cardamom can be refered to as the ‘queen of spices’, it achieved this name because of the many uses it has, including in the food and drink industry, as well as being used in medicine.

Cardamon is obtained from the seeds of several plants from the Genera Elettaria and Amonmum in the Zingiberaceae family,

When searching for Cocktails containing Cardamon, the Bitter Orange & Cardamom Martinis, Amaretto Cardamom Cocktail or the Cardamom-Ginger Martini are good choices.

Anise

Anise is also refered to as either Aniseed or Rarely Anix, this Spice is native to Southwest Asia and the Mediterranean region. You may recognise Anise by its unique flower shape.

When looking for Anise Cocktails you might stumble across A Long Winter’s Nap or you’ll end up finding a variety of different combinations of flavours utilising the Anise as a garnish. Anise can pair well with the likes of Pastis, Sambuca, Rakı or Bourbon.

Coriander Seeds

Coriander as a plant is a herb, but Coriander as a seed is a Spice, they can be enjoyed by toasting or roasting them, just make sure to not go past medium heat, as they can burn easily.

If you want to try a Coriander Seed Cocktail, then try the Coriander and Ginger Martini or The Coriandrum Cocktail.

Cumin

A slightly sweet and nutty spice, part of the family Apiaceae, Cumin is a flowering plant that is famous for being enjoyed on fine cuisine,

Cumin is also known in the Cocktail world, included in Sergeant Pepper, not the real person or the song by the Beatles, but the Cocktail, or how about the Mumbai Mules or Turmeric-Cumin Margarita.

Cloves

Shaped like a nail, Cloves are the aromatic flower buds that are part of the Myrtaceae family, they are left unopened, dried, then sold to the public.

Clove and Cider Cocktail including Bourbon or the Brandy Toddy Cocktail are two good options when looking for Clove Cocktails.

 

Image Credit: Cinnamon – Black Pepper – Paprika – Cardamom – Anise – Coriander Seeds – Cumin – Cloves