When you’re hosting a party or summer soiree this year, why not up the ante in the drinks department and take your bartender skills to the next level. Forget the case of beer, skip the pitchers of Pimms, and instead, serve refreshing summer cocktails that not only taste amazing but look incredible with added sophistication!
WHY USE DEHYDRATED FRUITS?
Using dehydrated fruits to garnish drinks is a great way to add some unique flair and flavour to your cocktails, but they’re also a quick, easy and nutritious snack to enjoy on the go. Besides being visually appealing, the other noticeable benefit of using dehydrated fruit or vegetables as an added drink decorator is that you’re being sustainable by minimising food wastage. With such a short shelf life for some fruits and veg, it’s very easy to end up with a pile of fresh produce that’s gone bad, before you’ve had the chance to enjoy it.
HOW TO STORE DEHYDRATED FRUITS & VEG
When you dehydrate fruits, they last significantly longer, and if stored correctly, can last for up to one year. Dehydrated vegetables also have a long shelf life and can last for up to 6 months with the correct storage. It’s important that following the dehydration process, you allow the fruits and veg to cool fully, and when storing, ensure that you use airtight glass jars or non-plastic containers, and place them in a cool, dry place with good ventilation. You want to be mindful that there’s no moisture getting to the dehydrated fruits and veg, so check your jars and containers every 2-3 weeks to ensure they’re still dry.
WHAT FRUITS AND VEG TO USE?
Whilst dehydrated citrus fruits like limes, lemons and oranges are a popular choice amongst bartenders and home cocktail makers, when you have a food dehydrator, you can get creative and adventurous with the ingredients you use and the flavours you blend together—the options are endless! Strawberries, mango, pineapple and berries are other popular choices, and with vegetables, you can use anything from beetroot and tomatoes to green beans and carrots.
Also, when you’re using a fresh piece of fruit as a drink garnish, such as a lime wedge or orange slice, the juice of the fruit can throw off the flavours of the cocktail. However, the benefit of using a piece of dehydrated fruit or veg, is that it’s still visually appealing and the flavours of the cocktail remain in balance—they’re also pretty delicious to bite into as well!
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