Rimming
Why?
To add texture and flavours to a drink.
The flavour on the rim will combine with the rest of the ingredients when it’s sipped from the glass. The impact this has on the balance of the drink must therefore be taken into consideration!
How?
Take the glass you are going to serve the drink in and make sure it is clean, DRY and empty.
Pour the salt, sugar, whatever powdered or crystalline mixture you want to stick to the rim of your glass onto a saucer or plate.
Take a slice of fruit, ideally the same fruit that is used in the cocktail itself. Wipe the slice of fruit around the top and outside of the rim to moisten it.
You can also wipe the fruit around just half of the rim to allow the drinker the choice of whether to drink through the ‘rim’ or not. However, we believe you really should take a stance. You’re either for rimming or you’re not!
Turn the glass upside down and gently press it into the crystals or powder you are using to rim.
Lift the glass straight up out of the powder and, while keeping the glass upturned, use a clean cloth to wipe the inside rim of the glass (if needed) and gently tap the base to release any loose powder.
The glass is now ready to be turned back up the right way to add in the drink.
Take care when adding ice and pouring your cocktail into the glass, do not overfill. Any moisture that touches the coating around the rim of the glass will ruin it!
Top tip –
Use a glass bigger than you need. This will give you a decent sized gap between the rim of the glass and the cocktail to avoid it bleeding into the drink.