In the summer I often lean towards mix drinks. Has anyone found that when made at home they aren't as good as the pro make? I'm not sure if its the presentation or how they're made that's at issue. I mean I often find when I cook a dinner I don't enjoy it as much as when someone else makes it.

I tried making a margarita with the mix and it turned out sicky sweet then tried real limes which tasted bitter and highly acidic. I refrigerated the liquor/mix, didn't do the ice shaker, and served it in a normal glass. All of which detracted from the end result.

Any amateur bartenders with stories of failure or success to share?

You can't cook, that's why your food tastes like shit and you can't mix drinks, so that's why your mixed drinks taste like shit. Can't get any more simple than that.

Also, even if the drinks are mixed that doesn't mean you have to mix uppercase and lowercase

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Originally posted by Frenkieee You can't cook, that's why your food tastes like shit and you can't mix drinks, so that's why your mixed drinks taste like shit. Can't get any more simple than that. Also, even if the drinks are mixed that doesn't mean you have to mix uppercase and lowercase

This.

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Haha... one time, about 8 years ago, I had a party and tried to make a huge tub of one of those party punch mixes with fruit bobbing around in it. I followed a recipe, but for some reason it didn't taste right to me, so I kept modifying it by adding more and more shit.

By the time I was done and the party started, nobody was even drinking it... I was pissed. It was potent as shit too, since I dumped a couple bottles of 190 proof grain alcohol in there. But people were indeed snacking on all the alcohol soaked fruit, and got unexpectedly fucking wasted.

First time I ever drank a Manhattan it was so fuckin' good. Tried to recreate at home and failed. It took maybe 7 to get it anywhere near right and maybe it was just that I was so drunk by then that it didn't matter.

As for simple mixed drinks like vodka tonic, makers&coke(my personal fave), gin&juice and so on and so forth - i think they're infinitely better at home. No bartender can make a makers&coke the way I like it. I guess that's because I drink makers with a splash of coke. lol...

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Originally posted by The17sss Haha... one time, about 8 years ago, I had a party and tried to make a huge tub of one of those party punch mixes with fruit bobbing around in it. I followed a recipe, but for some reason it didn't taste right to me, so I kept modifying it by adding more and more shit. By the time I was done and the party started, nobody was even drinking it... I was pissed. It was potent as shit too, since I dumped a couple bottles of 190 proof grain alcohol in there. But people were indeed snacking on all the alcohol soaked fruit, and got unexpectedly fucking wasted.

I have some latin friends who make kick ass Sangria punch with fresh fruit. I would love to be able to pull this off for a summer party.

I'm also on the look out for ice trays that make tiny ice cubes. I also need better glassware.

step yo drink mixing game up son

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Originally posted by igottaknow I have some latin friends who make kick ass Sangria punch with fresh fruit. I would love to be able to pull this off for a summer party.

Watch and learn.
Get there before they start making it and ask if you can watch, that's the best way to learn anything. You rarely get the desired results by simply reading and following a recipe.

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The only hard feelings should be in your pants