HowToDoThings.com Drinks & Cocktails

How To Open a Beer Without an Opener

ericrogers — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:41:05 -0500

You’ve just spent the last 10 hours helping your buddy move into his new apartment or you’ve returned to your campsite after hiking in the summer heat all day long…and it’s time to reward yourself with a cold beer. You can practically taste the suds as you hold the bottle in your own hand. Only one problem: YOU DON’T HAVE A BOTTLE OPENER! Panic sets in as your buddy explains that his opener is buried inside one of the 50 boxes you just finished lugging up two flights of stairs, or you picture your opener at home sitting alone on the counter, a worthless tool in a beer-free landscape.

How To Make a Cosmopolitan

Allison26 — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 10:12:00 -0600

A cosmopolitan has a pleasant pinkish hue and is a nice balance between sweet (triple sec/orange juice) and tart (cranberry juice) flavors.

Ingredients:

How To Make a Manhattan

Allison26 — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 12:29:00 -0600

There are many variations on the Manhattan. Below you will find ingredients and directions for a Classic Manhattan.

Classic Manhattan Ingredients:

2 1/4 oz rye or bourbon
1 1/4 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 maraschino cherry

Directions:

How To Make Cocktails

Annette165 — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 09:40:00 -0500

Knowing how to make a variety of cocktails is important for a good host and raises a party to a different level of sophistication.

How To Drink Wine

Brianna221 — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 10:58:00 -0500

Well that's easy--just fill your glass, open up wide, and toss it back--and don't forget to have a bottle of aspirin on hand for the next morning! Any other questions?

Oh, you want to get your nose in it, huh? All right then, listen up, because there are things to know about maximizing your tasting experience:

How To Make a Mimosa

Allison26 — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 11:25:00 -0600

Due to their light and refreshing taste, Mimosas are often served along side breakfast or brunch during special occasians. They are also perfect for special occasion dinner parties when you want to serve a light and sophisticated cocktail.

For a single-serving in a 7oz champagne flute.

Ingredients:

3 oz orange juice, chilled (fresh squeezed is best)
6.5 oz dry champagne, chilled
(amounts can vary depending on how light you prefer your Mimosa)
(optional) Thinly sliced orange wheel or thinly sliced orange rind spiral for garnish

Directions:

Pour the champagne into the champagne flute.
Pour the orange juice into the champagne flute.
Stir very lightly.
(optional) Garnish side of champagne flute with either the thinly sliced orange wheel or orange rind spiral.

How To Compost with Coffee

Fluffymuppet — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:21:52 -0600

Maybe you're one of many people trying to reduce the amount of trash you produce. Maybe you're wondering why your local coffee shop is giving away its waste coffee grounds to gardeners. Or maybe you're just looking for a free source of fertility for your garden. The answer to all three is that coffee grounds are easy to use in the garden, to make compost or as plant food.

How To Make a Mai Tai

Danielle31 — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 18:10:00 -0600

There are several variations on the Mai Tai. This drink is very easy to modify to your own taste.

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Basic Mai Tai

1 oz Dark Rum
1 oz Light Rum
1 ½ oz Triple Sec
½ oz Orange Juice
1 oz pineapple Juice
Splash Grenadine

How To Learn About Types of Red Wine

Robin103 — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 07:12:00 -0500

Red wine goes with beef, right? If I stick to that rule my wine choice will be fine, won't it?

To simplify wine in this way is to ignore the vast complexity and variety of flavor, body and bouquet. Wine by itself is complex enough to intimidate a novice, but pairing it with food can enhance your appreciation of both the food and the wine. It's time to learn a little about red wines in general so you can make a better choice when choosing wine for a meal or for enjoyment by itself.

Many people consider red wines "heavy" wines while they consider white wines "light." This isn't necessarily true of either wine. Instead of being described as heavy, red wines are more accurately described as being "light-bodied" or "full-bodied." The body is the texture and the weight that you will feel in your mouth and on your tongue when you drink the wine.

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How To Pour Beer

Staff468 — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:15:00 -0500

When it comes to pouring beer, we've all made mistakes. It happens every day in bars, two-hour office lunches, frat parties, block parties, teachers' lounges (probably), maybe even on the International Space Station. Ever tried pouring and pounding a beer in zero-gravity? You have? Here are some guidelines to help you pour a better beer down here on solid ground.

Basic guidelines. If you want a quick and reductive guide to pouring a beer (more or less effective for most beers), here it is.
- Angle the beer glass. Tilt that stein about 45 degrees.
- Gently pour your beer down the side of the glass, aiming for about the halfway point of the glass. When slightly more than half of the beer is poured, make the glass perfectly vertical again and pour the remainder directly into your beer to create a nice head.
  
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