What Is Cocktail Tasting?
Cocktail tasting is the practice of evaluating a cocktail based on its aroma, appearance, taste, mouthfeel, and finish. Just like wine or whisky tasting, it involves identifying key flavour notes, comparing ingredients, and appreciating the craftsmanship behind each drink.
At Kocktail, we believe that great tasting experiences start with great cocktails. That’s why all our bottled cocktails are expertly crafted with high-quality spirits and carefully balanced ingredients.
Why Try a Cocktail Tasting?
Cocktail tastings are a brilliant way to:
- Train your palate to distinguish between flavour profiles like sweet, sour, bitter, and umami
- Explore different spirits, mixers, and styles (from Old Fashioneds to Martinis)
- Socialise with friends in a relaxed, experiential setting
- Discover your personal cocktail preferences
- Enjoy an at-home bar experience without needing professional mixology skills
How to Taste Cocktails Like a Pro
1. Observe
Start by looking at the colour and clarity of the cocktail. Is it vibrant and jewel-toned like a Negroni, or clear and cool like a Gin Martini? The appearance can give clues about the ingredients used.
2. Smell
The aroma is a key part of the tasting experience. The garnish should play a major role here. For example, expressing orange peel over a negroni will give you a strong scent of orange to accompany the bitter sweetness of the negroni. You might detect citrus zest, herbal botanicals, oak, spice, or sweetness depending on the cocktail.
3. Sip and Savour
Take a small sip and let it coat your tongue. What do you taste first? What flavours follow? Pay attention to the balance between alcohol, acidity, sweetness, and bitterness.
4. Consider the Finish
Does the taste linger, or does it fade quickly? A long finish with evolving flavours often indicates a well-balanced cocktail.
5. Compare and Contrast
Tasting multiple cocktails side-by-side—like our Old Fashioned Collection or Negroni Collection —helps you notice subtleties and develop a more refined palate.
Host Your Own Cocktail Tasting at Home
Hosting a cocktail tasting night is a fantastic way to entertain while learning something new. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Choose Your Theme
Pick a cocktail category—like Martinis, Negronis, or Old Fashioneds. Our curated Kocktail tasting boxes make this easy.
Step 2: Prepare Small Servings
Serve 50ml pours of each cocktail. You don’t need full drinks for tasting.
Step 3: Provide Tasting Cards
Encourage guests to rate each cocktail based on aroma, flavour, mouthfeel, and finish.
Step 4: Cleanse the Palate
Offer water between tastings to reset the palate.
Step 5: Pair with Snacks
Add cheese, charcuterie, or chocolate that complements your cocktail selection.
The Best Cocktail Tasting Kits in the UK
Looking for a cocktail tasting kit that does all the hard work for you? At Kocktail.co.uk, we offer premium pre-mixed cocktail tasting boxes designed for maximum flavour and ease. Popular options include:
- Old Fashioned Collection – Featuring the Classic, Cherry Cola, Salted Maple, and PB&J Old Fashioned
- Negroni Collection – Featuring a Classic Negroni, Chocolate Negroni, Fruit Cup Negroni and Mediterranean Orange Negroni
- Classic Collection – Featuring an Espresso Martini, Passionfruit Martini, Margarita and an Amaretto Sour.
Each kit comes ready to pour and perfect for tasting, gifting, or hosting an elegant night in.
Final Sip
Cocktail tasting is a fun and flavourful way to deepen your love of craft cocktails. Whether you're enjoying one of our tasting collections or exploring your own creations, taking the time to sip thoughtfully adds a whole new dimension to cocktail hour.
Ready to elevate your next night in?
Explore our full range of cocktail tasting boxes here and start your tasting journey today.
