By Mark
Most cocktail recipes – and ALL of them on Marlee’s Bar Stool – that include citrus juices – lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, etc. – tell you to use “freshly squeezed.” Does it really make a difference?
In a word, YES.
Using freshly squeezed citrus juices in cocktails is recommended for several reasons. Firstly, freshly squeezed juices offer an unparalleled level of freshness and flavor. The fruits natural tanginess and citrusy notes add a vibrant and authentic taste that bottled or pre-packaged juices just cannot match.
Additionally, fresh juices contains a complex array of aromatic compounds, many of which come from the essential oils in the skin and pith. These compounds contribute to the overall complexity and depth of your cocktails. These oils are often removed from the juice before bottling to prevent spoiling and give a longer “shelf life” to the bottle. These compounds enhance the flavor profile, making the drink more nuanced and enjoyable.
The bright acidity of freshly squeezed juices acts as a balancing agent, cutting through the sweetness of other ingredients in the cocktail. This brightness and balance create a harmonious blend of flavors, elevating the overall drinking experience.
Lastly, all the best cocktail bars juice their own citrus. It is one of the things that make them the best cocktail bars. If you want to impress your friends – and enjoy your cocktails more – you should, too.
The extra effort of squeezing lemons, limes and grapefruits is well worth it as it enhances the taste, quality and authenticity of your cocktails. Freshly squeezed juices brings a delightful burst of flavor and brightness to your home cocktails, enriching your drinking experience and allowing you to fully savor the essence of the citrus fruit.
♦♦♦
Okay, that’s the “company line”, folks. And while I believe in in and do use and prefer freshly squeezed citrus juices most of the time, let’s be realistic, there are times…
- Times when I forgot to go to the grocery.
- Times when I find my limes have gone past their prime.
- Times when I am having a party and “party” cocktails – and no one will care in the least (Think Lime Juice for a Cinco de Mayo party).
- Times when I do not have the time.
- Times when I just do not feel like squeezing a lemon.
So, I keep a bottle of lemon juice and a bottle of lime juice in my refrigerator at all times – for those times. And you should, too. At all times. For those times.
(I usually have orange and grapefruit juices, also, as I like to drink both of these by themselves. You can use your judgement on these. Lemon and lime are by far the most common juices you will need to make cocktails.)
But, even though you are skimping a bit on the juice, you do need to buy the good stuff.
Here is what to look for when buying and using bottled juices – particularly Lemon and Lime
- Never ever buy the little plastic bottles shaped like a lemon or lime. Never. Ever.
- Buy a glass bottle (except for orange and grapefruit – plastic is okay here.)
- Make sure your bottle says “Not from Concentrate.”
- Buy the smallest bottle so you use it before it gets old. (If you do buy a large bottle of orange or grapefruit juice, pour most of it into smaller plastic bottles or containers and freeze them – unless you need all of the juice or plan to drink it by itself. Frozen juice keeps its flavor remarkably well.)
- Always store the bottles in the refrigerator.
Follow all the guidelines on this page – squeeze when you want to and can and use good bottle juice when you need to – and you will make excellent cocktails most of the time and pretty darn good cocktails the rest of the time.
One Last Note – ALWAYS use freshly squeezed juice the first time you are trying a cocktail recipe. Especially one from Marlee’s Bar Stool. 😉
One Last Trick – If you need a lot of juice for an upcoming party or event (Think Lime Juice for a Cinco de Mayo party!) and do not have the time or energy to squeeze enough citrus, you can “punch up” the bottled juice by adding just a few ounces of freshly squeezed juice. This trick works surprising well.