You don't need to be a master mixologist to know how to pour an average cocktail. It doesn't take rocket science to combine some alcohol and a few other ingredients in a glass with ice — but a free pour method can lead to drinks that are too weak, too strong, or just unappetizing.
Bartenders know the art of pouring the perfect beverage. Not only do they have the proportions down pat, they know which flavors mix well together, and can give you plenty of drink suggestions depending on what you're in the mood for.
However, cocktail apps can also work out the science of mixing the perfect cocktail for you, so that you can enjoy high-quality drinks from the comfort of your own home. From bartending robot machines like the Somabar and the Jevo Jell-O shot machine, to gadgets like The Perfect Drink App, all it takes to make the best cocktail these days is downloading an app on your smartphone or tablet.
If you typically order a beer or the predictable gin and tonic, you may get stumped when attempting to be a little more adventurous. Even if you only know how to make a standard vodka and cranberry, you can literally have an entire recipe library in the palm of your hands by using one of these popular apps. Here are the best cocktail recipes apps you should download now in order to get your drink on later.
The Barman
The Barman is an app that provides recipes to hundreds of drinks, as well as the ability to create your own. Those new to cocktail concoction should also consider an accompanying piece of hardware that allows consumers to pick a drink and precisely mix it — by placing a glass on the hardware.
The Barman, which started as a Kickstarter project, gives you easy instructions on how to make the drink, the ingredients you'll need, and – if you use the hardware – when to spot pouring. The Barman is available for free for iOS and Android.
PDT Cocktail App
New York is a city known for its nightlife. Now you can incorporate the New York spirit into your spirits-based drinks using the PDT Cocktails app, created by the city's own Jim Meehan — a former PDT bartender. This app has an expansive list of cocktail recipes, including those created by expert bartenders.
The PDT app gives users substitution options in case they don't like a particular ingredient, and it also takes your inventory so it can tell you which drinks you can make, and which ingredients to go get. PDT Cocktail app is available to download on iOS for $9.99.
Cocktail Flow
Cocktail Flow is essentially the encyclopedia of alcoholic drinks. It includes more than 600 cocktail and smoothie recipes. Users can make a drink based on the type of alcohol, mood, occasion and moments. The app provides easy, step-by-step instructions, and has an appealing, sleek design. Users can discover new drinks by browsing the popular trending themes each week. Cocktail Flow is available to download for free on iOS and Android.
Mixology Drink & Cocktail Recipes
This Mixology app has about 8,000 drink recipes with over 100 ingredients to choose from. It has a "Liquor Cabinet" feature that lets users enter in what they already have, so they can find cocktails to make now. Even though users have to upgrade to the paid app to enter in their own recipes, the Mixology Drink & Cocktail Recipes app gives you nearby bars and liquor stores in the locator feature.
Recipes are broken down into categories, and there is also a random drink option in case you don't know what you are in the mood for. The Mixology app is free to download for iOS and Android.
onthebar
If you are a bartender – or consider yourself one after trying these apps – then onthebar is for you. There is a database of thousands of cocktail recipes uploaded from bartenders, and the app posts the best ones on its Instagram account @onthebar. Besides getting drink recipes, users can connect with other people who have similar drink preferences, keep track of their favorite bartenders, and let customers know when they are bartending. This app is available for free for iOS and Android.
Food & Wine Cocktail App
This app provides recipes for over 350 drinks from the best mixologists across the U.S. While users learn how to make cocktails and other mixing tips, they also can view food options that would pair nicely with a given cocktail. Users can search for drinks by type or spirit and save their favorites.
There is also a top bar feature, perfect for checking out the hottest places while traveling. Food & Wine Cocktails is available to download for free for iOS and Android.
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Photo: Heath Cajandig | Flickr
