Premixed Cocktails Vs. Pro Bartender: Which One Is Better?
Premixed cocktails have been around for quite some time now, and they've gained a lot of popularity among people who enjoy going out and having a few drinks with friends. However, many still prefer to have their cocktails made by a professional bartender.
So, which one is better? Premixed cocktails or pro bartender? This article will discuss their pros and cons and determine your best option.
What are Pre-mixed Cocktails?
Premixed cocktails are exactly what they sound like – premade bottled mixes that you can easily store in the refrigerator and serve. These are often found in stores and can be convenient for those who want to enjoy a cocktail without making one from scratch.
What are the Pros of Premixed Cocktails?
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A major time-saver for parties and events
The biggest pro of premixed cocktails is convenience. If you’re looking for a quick and easy option, premixed cocktails are definitely the way to go.
All you have to do is chill the beverage and serve – no need to measure ingredients or mix drinks yourself. This can be a major time-saver, especially if you’re hosting a party or event.
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Less expensive than made-to-order cocktails
Another pro of premixed cocktails is that they’re often less expensive than made-to-order drinks from a professional bartender. This is because you’re not paying for the bartender’s time or expertise – you’re simply paying for the pre-made mix.
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No bartending skills are required
Finally, premixed cocktails can be a good option if you’re not confident in your bartending skills. If you’re worried about making a mess or not being able to make a good cocktail, premixed options can take the stress out of the situation.
What are the Cons of Premixed Cocktails?
One of the biggest drawbacks is that generic premixed cocktails can be lower in quality than drinks made by a professional bartender. It is because bartenders have the experience and knowledge to ensure each cocktail is perfect. In contrast, premade alcoholic drinks are often mass-produced without the same level of care.
But, if you're looking for premixed cocktails of the highest quality and promise the same experience you get with a pro bartender, look no further than DRNXMYTH. They use premium spirits and fresh juices to create a variety of delicious bottled cocktails.
Bourbon Sour: Premixed Cocktails Vs. Pro Bartender
With the pros and cons out of the way, let’s make a three-way comparison between a fresh whiskey sour by mixologist Brian Van Flandern, Drnxmyth’s premixed bourbon sour, and premade cocktail from another brand.
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Color
As reported by Food Business news, the color of any beverage sets flavor expectations. If the color and the flavor don’t match, most consumers won’t prefer the drink.
When you pick any generic brand of pre-mixed bourbon sour, you will realize that it hardly resembles the cocktail’s natural hue. The color is derived by adding yellow 5, a controversial food coloring agent used in many processed foods and drinks.
This is where Drnxmyth’s premixed cocktail excels! It has no artificial ingredients, so it looks similar to the bourbon sour from a pro bartender.
Professionally made bourbon sour consists of whiskey and lemon juice - a perfect mixture of orange and brown. Anything other than that indicates that one of the two primary ingredients is in overwhelming proportion.
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Ingredients
The key ingredients in a bourbon sour are whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice. To make a classic bourbon sour, combine these ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. You can garnish your cocktail with a cherry or lemon slice.
When picking a premade version of your favorite bourbon sour, choosing one with similar ingredients with as few additives as possible is best. However, is there such a premix cocktail?
The ingredient list of the generic brand includes water, sugar, citric acid, glycerol, ester gum, polysorbate preservative, sodium benzoate, and yellow 5 coloring.
On the other hand, the Drnxmyth pre-mixed cocktail consists of high-rye bourbon, fresh lemon juice, orange juice, cane sugar, and blackstrap bitters. The cold-pressed juices make this premade alcoholic beverage much better than its competitors.
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Taste
The flavor is the Achilles’ heel for most premixed cocktails. The generic brand has a distinct artificial finish that does not come together. Not only that, but the sweetness of the corn syrup and the acidity and bitterness of the lemon does not blend well.
In contrast, the Drnxmyth pre-mixed bourbon sour tastes fresh, with no synthetic aftertaste. The whiskey’s flavor is also pretty pronounced and can be diluted by adding ice and shaking the drink for 20 seconds.
Bourbon sour made by a pro bartender has the edge over a premixed version. It's not too sweet or tart, and the alcohol is well-balanced.
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Convenience
Drnxmyth premixed cocktails are an excellent option when you want a delicious, high-quality bourbon sour without the time-consuming process of making one from scratch. Simply pour over ice and enjoy!
However, there are some drawbacks. Premixed cocktails often lack the complexity and depth of flavor you get from a drink made by a professional bartender.
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Shelf Life
Storing fresh whiskey sour is not a good idea because the lemon juice will oxidize rapidly, so the drink will only taste good for a few hours.
On the other hand, an unopened bottle of Drnxmyth premix cocktail can last for up to 5 months in the fridge. But once you open and mix it, it only has a shelf life of a few days in the refrigerator, so we highly suggest drinking it immediately.
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Cost
A bottle of premixed bourbon sour by Drnxmyth will cost you around $12 for a 200mL drink with 17% ABV. You might find another more affordable brand, but it won’t use cold-pressed juices and contains high preservatives.
At most bars, a glass of bourbon sour will set you back between $5 to $20, depending on the exact variant of bourbon added to the glass.
Pre-mixed Cocktails FAQ
1. Is it ok to pre-mix cocktails?
Yes, it’s perfectly fine to pre-mix cocktails. However, you must learn the proper dilution of ingredients, store the drinks in sealed containers, and only add the fresh ingredients when it’s time to serve.
The problem is that most people find the prep work for prebatched cocktails tedious. Thus, we recommend purchasing premixed bottled cocktails with curated ingredients and longer shelf life.
2. How much water does shaking a cocktail add?
Merely shaking a cocktail for 20 to 30 seconds will dilute it by 33%, equivalent to adding an ounce of water.
3. Is it advisable to shake a cocktail more than once?
Shaking a cocktail only once for 20 seconds is a good idea. If you do it repeatedly, you will deteriorate the taste and dilute the alcohol too much.
Also, if you keep shaking the drink after it has been exposed to ambient air, you will accelerate its oxidation process. When that happens, the taste of the cocktail will change.
4. Do you put ice in a cocktail shaker?
Yes, you should put ice in a shaker, followed by the cocktail mixture.
Conclusion
The verdict is in, and it looks like DRNXMYTH premixed cocktails are the way to go if you want a great drink without hassle.
However, a professional bartender is probably your best bet if you're looking for quality and variety. They can make custom drinks to suit any taste and have the experience and knowledge to ensure your cocktails are perfectly mixed. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what's most important to you.
So next time you’re planning a party or feel like kicking back with a cold one, reach for the premixed cocktails instead of calling your favorite barkeep.
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