To make this world more habitable, politicians say that we must all practice what’s best for the planet. Burning forests and growing urban areas do not help the cause, so global warming is very real. Luckily enough, being eco-conscious is becoming more of a trend. The trend appears even in the hospitality industries including the world of bartending and mixology. Most made drinks in the above-mentioned spheres also now have the earth in mind as more drinks are focusing on responsible practices and sustainable solutions.

The concentration of cocktail culture has always been about presentation above function or in hand, however, it is reasonable to cringe away from using excessive resources when they’re unnecessary. In this day and age, those who work behind the bars know that alcohols can be sourced in a sustainable way, so bartenders now have more options than ever. Instead of looking at the alcohol as the main component, it is time for cocktail enthusiasts to use the spirit as an accent.

Integrating Sustainable Ingredients

The ingredients are the essential building blocks of any cocktail, and when it comes to sustainability, the sourcing of these ingredients is imperative. Switching over to organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spirits can help to avoid many environmental problems in the preparation of your cocktails. Since they are not grown using conventional pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically-modified organisms, organic products are more benign to the environment. These ingredients also have a tendency to be less processed, and therefore healthier for the cocktails themselves.

Browse the bottles at any spirits collection and make sure to select the ones which practice responsible production methods. A lot of the distilleries are shifting towards renewable energy sources, using lots of water and locally sourced ingredients. Some of the distilleries go a step further to say, using the by-products of their distillation process to make other things in order to minimize waste. It is for this reason that supporting these brands is important because it strives towards a more sustainable industry.

Locally sourced ingredients also have a carbon capture effect that doesn't need a lot of strategy. Since the ingredients are already within the borders, the amount of carbon released as a result of transportation is quite low while sustaining local farmers and industries. A good strategy would be to use seasonal fruits when it works for the cocktails. An example would be utilizing in-season herbs and fruits which are so much available locally and would cut down on transportation which can be very damaging to the environment.

Cutting Down Consumption In The Preparation Of The Cocktails

Waste is another one of the primary challenges of a cocktail and resource management and bartending is always about looking for opportunities to reduce it. Actually, heaps of waste occurs even before a cocktail is served, from good fruit peels to a single ice cube. It is possible to reduce the distortion in order to make eco-friendly cocktails by starting with this as the first stage of preparation – minimizing this waste and coming up with innovative ways to vary the materials out of trash.

It is recommended that when making cocktails, all the products you use including the vegetable or fruit be put to good use. For instance, after fresh limes or lemons are juiced and extracted, their rinds may be used to make flavored liqueurs or syrups. Instead of discarding orange skins, they can be transformed into bitters or used as garnishes. There are many fruits that bartenders can also put away in them of their devices such as the pulp or the cores in order to concoct syrups or jams. By practicing these methods, there is not only the guarantee of reduced waste, but also a possibility of creating distinct flavors normally not found in products.

It is also possible to reduce waste by preparing your own garnishes, for example. Instead of buying pre-packaged misleading garnishes, you can garnish with fruits and vegetables at home. You can dry nuts and such at home as well reducing the need to use disposable products.

Ice is one more area that has potential for the decreasing of unnecessary waste. One can create large blocks of ice, or ice spheres at home and utilize them in preparation of cocktails. This type of ice is thicker than normal cubes, hence, they are able to last longer within the drink, as opposed to the small cubes which have to be recreated every now and then. Also, if there is ice left from another occasion, instead of throwing it away, use it in a mocktail in a cocktail, or any other non-alcoholic drink, which will take longer to get diluted.

Sustainable Alternatives for Glassware and Straws

A decently sized part of the general public is against disposable plastic straws as a result of their negative effects on the environment, and this is the reason many bars are adapting to using more environmentally friendly options. Some bars now use stainless steel, glass or bamboo straws. Some bars however have made it even simpler by not providing straws and letting guests drink directly from the glass. In the case when straws are used, it is important to suggest reusable ones as a part of sustainability programs.

The types of glassware, too, can influence the cocktail. Such as in cases of plastic cups, disposable tableware might seem more efficient during events but this has significant impact on the wastes generated. Wherever, use glass and ceramic cups since they are more durable and can be used many times. This not only reduces waste generation, but also provides some class and style to the drinks. In cases where glass breaks, it is permissible to recycle them, while the plastics usually go to waste disposal bins.

If one is organizing a big gathering, it is better to rent glass drinkware or buy one that can be used multiple times. This avoids the use of disposable cups and at the same time offers a better experience to the audience.

Alternative Solutions: Sustainable Garnishes

Garnishes are important in cocktail preparation, however, there are various garnishes such as cocktail umbrellas or other cheap, plastic decorations, that are simply there to make the drink look pretty, which lead to wastage. When garnishing drinks, try straw or other types of strong plastic sourced items that will not break and escape the landfill. Or even better, use garnishes that can be eaten. Sliced fruits, herbs and edible flowers make perfect garnishes. They don’t only serve the purpose of garnishing, but also improve the cocktail’s overall taste.

While the basic fruit garnishes are an option, what’s better is adding herbs from your garden or using edible flowers. This is one of the most environmentally friendly choices since the garnishes will not require transport and plastic packaging. It is also nice to include some weak herbs or wild plants that you could gather somewhere which will give your cocktails a new and interesting flavour. In this case, however, the only important thing is that the foraged plants should be edible.