Main Cocktail Garnishes
Cherries
Maraschino Cherries are used for many mixed drinks and for non-alcoholic drinks. You can buy them at the store. They come in a jar ready to use. Make sure you refrigerate after opening.
When to Use: Any time you use grenadine, in some green drinks like Sour Apple Martini and Midori Sour, any time you use Collins Mix, in some mixed drinks that you use Sweet and Sour Mix and in Manhattans.
Olives
There are many olives in the market today. Some olives come plain and some come stuffed with pepper or other ingredients. They come in a jar ready to use. Make sure you refrigerate after opening.
Main Use: Gin Martinis or Vodka Martinis (Not Fruity Martinis).
Limes
Wedges: A wedge is 1/8 of a lime, lemon or orange. In other words, there are 8 wedges in a lime, lemon or orange.
Lime Wedges: Cut off the ends of the lime. Then cut the lime in half from one end to the other. Finally, cut each half into four equal wedges.
Lime Wheels: Cut off the ends of the lime. Then cut slices from one end to the other. Use your judgment on how thick the slices should be. Finally, make one cut from the center of the lime wheel to the edge, so it can sit on the glass.
When to Use: Any time you make a drink with lemon-lime soda, tonic water and sometimes soda water, in drinks that contain lime juice like Cosmopolitan, and in some drinks that contain sweet and sour mix like Margaritas.
Lemons
Lemon Wedges: Use the same technique as the lime wedges.
Lemon Twist: Cut off the ends of the lemon. Then cut the rind from one end to the other making 1/3 inch strips (Make sure that you don't cut into the meat of the lemon). Finally, peel off the strips.
Note: When you are going to use a twist, rub the rim of the glass with the twist and then twist it and drop it over the drink to add a little of oil.
When to Use: Lemons are used on teas like Long Island Iced Tea and Long Beach Iced Tea. They are also used in Lemon Drop Martinis, lemonades and other drinks that contain lemon.
Oranges
Orange Wedges: Use the same technique as the lime wedges.
Orange Slices: Cut off the ends of the orange. Then cut the orange in half from one end to the other. Cut both halves in half. Finally, cut the orange quarters into wedges.
Orange Spiral: Use a citrus stripper to make your orange spirals. Start at one end of the orange and cut around and down towards the other end making a long spiral peel.
When to Use: Oranges are used any time you use collins mix. There are also used in drinks that contain orange. The orange spirals are used in drinks like coolers.
Whipped Cream
You can buy a can of whipped cream at the store. There are some manufacturers that make chocolate whipped cream and fat free whipped cream.
Main Use: Whipped cream is used for many hot drinks specially coffee drinks. It is also used with some frozen drinks like a Strawberry Daiquiri or a Mudslide. Another drink that you use whipped cream is a Blow Job shot.
Apple
Apple Slices: Cut an apple in half. Then, cut each half into slices about 1/8 inch thick. Make a diagonal cut to the apple slice so it can be placed in a martini glass. Cut the apple slices right before serving the drinks.
Main Use: Apple Martinis
Banana
Banana Slices: Cut through the peel from the middle of the banana. Make banana slices about 1/4 inch thick.
When to Use: It could be used in many drinks that contain banana liqueur.
Berries
It could be raspberries, blueberries, blackberries or other berries. Insert a cocktail stick into the berries and place it on top of the drink.
Candy
Candy is a great garnish. There is a wide variety of candy that can be used as garnish.
Examples: Candy canes, gummy worms or bears, mini candy bars, gum, etc.
Celery
Wash the celery with water only and cut the leaves and the base to make celery sticks.
Main Use: Celery is used for Bloody Marries and Bloody Marias.
Chocolate
A piece of chocolate or shaved chocolate may be used for garish.
Shaved Chocolate: Buy a block of chocolate and use a cheese grater to shave it.
Coffee Beans
The only time that you are going to need coffee beans is when you are serving Sambuca. Just drop three coffee beans into the Sambuca. The three coffee beans represent: Health, Wealth and Happiness.
Mint Leaves
Wash the mint leaves with water only.
Main Use: Mint leaves are used in drinks that have mint in them. Example: Mojitos and Mint Juleps.
Onions (Cocktail Onion)
Cocktail onions are very small onions (about the size of a marble). You can buy them at the store. They come in a jar ready to use. Make sure you refrigerate after opening.
Main Use: Gibsons
Pineapple
Pineapple Wedges: Cut the top and bottom of the pineapple. Then cut the pineapple in half from one end to the other. Cut one half in half from one end to the other. Remove the core section of the pineapple. Finally, cut wedges.
Main Use: Pineapple is used in many tropical mixed drinks.
Kosher Salt
Kosher salt is used to coat the rim of a glass. Moist the rim of a glass with a lime wedge. Then dip it into the salt.
Main Use: Margaritas, Bloody Marries and Salty Dogs.
Strawberries
Wash strawberries with water only. If the strawberries are big, cut them in half. Just push the strawberry onto the rim of the glass.
Main Use: Mixed drinks that have berries or strawberry liqueur like Strawberry Margaritas and Strawberry Daiquiris.
