The secret to creating tasty cocktails, according to Kim Haasarud

Join me as I explore the fresh, flavorful world of cocktails in my recent conversation with Kim Haasarud, celebrated cocktail expert and author of the “101” cocktail book series, including “101 Martinis,” “101 Margaritas,” “101 Blender Drinks,” and more. We talk about sourcing ingredients, choosing garnishes, and batch-making cocktails, and more. 

Listen to the “Served Up” podcast with guest Kim Haasarud: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music

Each book of the books in the "101..." series centers around a single drink concept – margaritas, martinis, frozen drinks, sangrias, shots, tropical drinks, mojitos and muddled drinks, and champagne cocktails.

I’m a huge proponent of using garden-fresh ingredients. In developing the drinks for the books, I would take trips to my local farmer’s markets and build drinks around the fresh, seasonal ingredients. If you start with good ingredients, it’s easy to build a tasty cocktail.

Batching makes it easy to execute many cocktails in a short amount of time and be consistent. Scale up the recipe into gallons and be sure to add 25% water. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. For our large events off-site, we use beverage dispensers.

I have so many favorite garnishes… I like anything that looks and makes the cocktail beautiful.  What I don’t like is a garnish that is a weak attempt to just add it to add it, like a limp mint sprig or slightly old lime garnish. Yuck! A good garnish should be fragrant and add a touch of beauty and aromatics to the drink. For example, we use florals, fresh herbs, dried fruits, and even edible toppers like butterflies!

Here’s to good friends,

Never below you,

Never above you,

Always beside you!

Kim Haasarud is a James Beard-honored mixologist, author, and beverage consultant. She has been a judge on Iron Chef America as well as a guest on the “The Today Show,” CBS’ “Early Morning Show,” “Fox & Friends Live,” and “Montel Williams Show,” among others. 

Purchase Kim’s books on Amazon. 

Follow Kim on Instagram

Kim supports charitable work and is passionate about helping others. You can lend your support to one of Kim's causes through the USBG National Charity Foundation.

Southern Glazer’s "Served Up" podcast has been elevating voices in the beverage alcohol industry since 2020. Now with Eric Hemer, MW, MS, joining Bridget Albert as co-host, expect thought leadership, industry insights, exclusive interviews, and inspiring conversations that drive innovation. Join us weekly as co-hosts Bridget and Eric stir up the spirit of hospitality with lively conversations and plenty of personality.

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