What is a Craft Cocktail?
- Pubblico Italian Eatery
- Jun 26, 2024
- 2 min read
You’ve no doubt heard the term thrown around the last decade or so, but if someone asked you what a craft cocktail was, you might not know how to tell them. No judgment.
Or perhaps you would, but not before you rolled your eyes. “Overpriced, small drinks that taste just like something you could make yourself for way cheaper” is what you may be thinking.
And at some bars, that may be what you get. (Check out this helpful piece by Aliza Kellerman on how to spot a non-craft craft cocktail bar.)
But whatever your stance on craft cocktails, we wanted to break them down for you. Once understood, we think they’re something everyone can get on board with.
Which is super convenient, because we make pretty damn good ones here at Pubblico.
What makes a craft cocktail, craft?
We loved Bryce Conlan’s definition of a craft cocktail. Not ones to reinvent the wheel, here it is:
“[A craft cocktail is] when the bartender respects the ingredients and the patron enough to slow down and do the drink justice. After all anyone can dump whiskey and sweet vermouth together and call it a Manhattan but a craft bartender might take a more thoughtful approach to pairing whiskey known for a particular characteristic with a complimentary vermouth.”
In short, craft cocktails come down to three things:
Ingredients
Conlan’s definition is great, but blogger Drake Ramsey adds an important piece to his definition, and that is - craft cocktail’s ingredients are fresh. Think freshly squeezed orange juice versus Tropicana, fresh mint versus Creme de menthe.
Process
Much like cooking with fresh, whole ingredient, making craft cocktails often requires more labor to create something both edible (or drinkable in this case) and delicious. But that’s half the fun. Yes, it’s a job. But bartenders who specialize in craft cocktails do so because they love the process.
Presentation
Craft cocktails finish the race. An authentic one won’t only be made with fresh ingredients and intentionality, but it’s also going to be beautiful.
Whether it’s an Old Fashioned with a crystal clear ice cube and a sleek tumbler, or Pubblico’s signature Lustful Moon with salt on the side and a sprig of fresh rosemary singed on the spot emitting an earthy aroma (see below), craft cocktails are easy on the eyes.
Now, if for whatever reason you can’t make it into Pubblico for one of ours (pssst...sign up for our email list to get one on the house at Happy Hour), here are 10 easy craft cocktails to make at home for yourself or for party guests.
And be sure to follow us on Instagram where we post our daily craft cocktail specials!
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Your breakdown of what makes a cocktail “craft” was both informative and approachable. The way you described the techniques and ingredients was very clear and helpful. I recently came across a similar discussion on a review blog about artisanal drinks, and it offered an interesting perspective as well. It’s amazing how https://southerndry.com/ occasionally shares soft, subtle lifestyle tips that resonate with enthusiasts without being promotional.
Loved how you explained https://www.jimandsonsplumbing.com/ what truly defines a craft cocktail beyond just ingredients. It was informative and enjoyable. I recently came across a process-focused article on a jim and sons plumbing-related blog that broke down craftsmanship in a comparable way.
This was a fun and https://www.pantherplumbing.com/ informative read. The way you explained the balance of technique and creativity made craft cocktails feel more approachable. I saw a lifestyle article on a pantherplumbing review blog that explored similar craftsmanship themes.
Engaging explanation that makes craft cocktails feel approachable and interesting. The background details added depth without overwhelming. It reminded me of a https://www.naturalcleansedetox.com/ beverage culture article I read on naturalcleansedetox which also explored mindful enjoyment.
Informative and enjoyable explanation of what defines a craft cocktail. The historical context blended nicely with modern examples. I recently read a related food culture article on https://countonsheep.com/ that discussed similar ideas around craftsmanship. This post was both educational and engaging.