Mixologist Spotlight: Sheena Leigh Graves
Just in time for Spring, you can now get alcohol delivered in minutes in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Long Beach, Orange County & San Diego with the Postmates Drinks tab! With now limitless food and drink pairings available, we opted to consult the experts on how to craft that perfect at home cocktail. But first, LA’s revered mixologist Sheena Leigh Graves gave Postmates the low-down on Hollywood’s booming foodie & drink scene.
“The LA bar scene in particular has grown drastically over the past few years,” confirmed Graves. “This is Los Angeles after all… the food & beverage industry is it’s own kind of Hollywood, some might say. But mixology isn’t just a pretentious title anymore — It’s its own art form now.”
So how does one navigate this seemingly intimidating mixology landscape and craft the ideal at home cocktail for that outdoor BBQ or dinner party?
Graves outlines some useful tips and tricks for us beginners!
Step 1: Prep
“If you’re interested in getting into making cocktails at home, first get yourself the essentials; a set of shaking tins, a Hawthorne strainer, bar spoon, muddler, and a few different sized jiggers are a must! Start with the basics and build from there. 2 oz of your favorite spirit, 3/4 oz fresh citrus juice, and 1/2 oz sweetener. Start with a small amount! It’s easier to make a cocktail sweeter than it is to tone it down. This goes for spicy drinks too.
Step 2: Have fun!
“Make a drink your own by gathering some fresh produce. Play! Raspberries, cherry tomatoes and arugula? You bet! Add basil and blackberries to your mojito recipe. Or if that sounds like too much, you can keep simple too.”
Here’s one of my favorite recipes:
2oz of Bourbon or Rye
3/4 oz lemon juice 1/2 oz of Orgeat (an almond based syrup)
Top with a few dashes of Angostura bitters
Get yourself a crème brulee torch, and voila!
“Those almond slices you just used as garnish are now “toasted almond slices,” and let’s be honest, that just sounds more impressive — does it not?”
Pro tip: Order your bourbon (or alcohol of choice) from the Drinks tab.
Step 3: Enjoy!
