COCKTAIL ZERO% BAR MANUAL ALEMBIC FRUITS & VEGETABLES 26. CUCUMBER Can be used fresh as a garnish on drinks such as the Pimm’s Cup and the Bloody Mary. The cucumber’s flavour is not savoury but neutral, and is very similar to the flesh of the watermelon close to the rind. Like all fruit and vegetables meant for consumption, cucumbers should be washed before cutting and serving. Thinly-sliced circles are the most common cucumber garnish. 27.ONION Cocktail onions are small pickled white onions. A drink may be garnished with up to three on a cocktail stick. You may wish to drain the brine from a jar of onions and replace it with dry vermouth. This creates a more refined flavour. A martini garnished with small silver-skin onions is called The Gibson. 28.MINT A vibrant green herb with small leaves and a fresh and zesty aroma. Used as a cocktail ingredient and as decoration. To keep mint fresh, treat it like a bouquet of flowers. Place it in a glass of ice water and store it in the warmest part of the refrigerator. Do not pick the leaves from the stem until you need them. In some parts of the world, whole mint plants can be purchased. These remain fresh for longer. Dried mint does not work as a substitute. 29. CHERRY TOMATOES Cherry tomatoes are a smaller variety of the common garden tomato and are generally sweeter than the larger fruits. Although usually red you will also find yellow, green and black varieties. All make a colourful addition on the side of a Bloody Mary. They look cute, but pack a real punch in terms of taste. 30. COCONUT The most common form of coconut behind the bar is sweetened cream of coconut. Cream of coconut is made by simmering the shaved, or grated, flesh from a mature coconut in an equal part of water (or coconut water) until it is frothy. The resulting liquid is strained through a cheesecloth. The liquid must be chilled to separate the coconut cream from the coconut milk. Or, at home you can take a short cut and buy a tin of cream of coconut. The best and most iconic brand is Coco Lopez. FRUITS & VEGETABLES INGREDIENTS
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