The Story of Craft Cocktails: Tradition Meets Innovation

What is a craft cocktail? A crafted cocktail is an upscale version of a classic cocktail that usually takes more skill or “craft” to make. These drinks uniquely feature curated ingredients, fancy garnishes, sometimes freshly squeezed juices, and always some cold and dense ice. Taking the art of mixology to a whole new level.

Craft Cocktail History: The Cocktail Renaissance Movement

The crafted cocktail movement is a social movement spurred by the cocktail renaissance, a period of time in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, which caused a revival in traditional recipes and methods in the bar industry but especially in the United States. With this innovation came new techniques. This movement ended up spreading globally, although it started with bars in Manhattan, New York City, and it wasn’t until 2003 that the first cocktail conference was held. The rise of the craft beer industry greatly influenced an uprising and interest in hand crafted cocktails.

There are a variety of hand crafted cocktails that are known classics invented during the pre-prohibition era. Some classic cocktails that are modern favorites, and often featured, are the old fashioned, whiskey sour, or mint julep.

Traditional cocktails are making a comeback, and the revival of recipes from the pre-prohibition era has ignited a revival in the world of cocktails.

More contemporary craft cocktails that frequent menus include the classic margarita, espresso martini and the lemon drop. We're seeing a bit of a cocktail renaissance as of late, with bars and restaurants increasingly curating their own unique craft or artisanal cocktail menus.

Craft Cocktail Culture: Local Ingredients and Seasonal Innovation

The movement of locally sourced, fresh ingredients and supporting small businesses is more significant than ever right now. Depending on where you are in the country, local fruits, herbs, and locally made syrups are readily available and can help tailor craft cocktail ingredients to the seasons.

Summer is a great time to have a strawberry or blueberry mule, handcrafted with local fruit, syrups and even local liqueur, if you're lucky!

Winter would be a great time to have a peppermint mocha espresso martini, a festive twist on the classic espresso martini.

Artisanal vs. Craft Cocktails: Understanding the Difference 

Unlike standard cocktails, artisan cocktails often include premium ingredients, syrups that are made in house and innovative preparation techniques. These factors set apart artisanal cocktails from the craft cocktails.

The distinction between a craft cocktail and an artisanal creation lies in the level of customization and creativity involved. Craft cocktails typically follow established recipes with high-quality ingredients, whereas artisanal cocktails are often one-of-a-kind creations that showcase the bartender's personal artistry. These master mixologists may experiment with unusual ingredients like exotic bitters, house-infused spirits, seasonal garnishes, or even molecular gastronomy techniques to create visually stunning presentations.

Bartenders crafting artisanal cocktails often draw inspiration from culinary arts, incorporating elements like smoke, foam, or edible flowers to create a multi-sensory experience. They may age cocktails in custom barrels, create their own vermouths, or forage for unique botanicals to infuse into their spirits. This meticulous attention to detail and willingness to experiment with unconventional ingredients and techniques transforms the simple act of making a drink into an artistic expression, creating memorable experiences that go far beyond what you'd find in a standard craft cocktail menu.

The result is a drinking experience that tells a story, whether it's reflecting the local terroir, the season, or the bartender's personal creative vision, making each artisanal cocktail a unique work of liquid art.

The Art of Craft Cocktail Making: Techniques and Presentation

What makes craft cocktails so unique is the meticulous attention to detail that transforms bartending from a simple service into a sophisticated art form. Skilled bartenders, often called mixologists, dedicate years to mastering proper techniques for mixing, shaking, stirring, and garnishing to achieve the perfect balance of flavors, aromas, and textures in each cocktail. Every movement is deliberate—from the precise 10-second shake that properly chills and dilutes a cocktail, to the gentle stir that maintains the silky texture of a Manhattan, to the careful double-strain that ensures a crystal-clear martini.

The craft extends beyond technique to encompass the science of flavor pairing and balance. Master mixologists understand how different spirits interact with various modifiers, bitters, and acids to create harmonious flavor profiles. They know that the temperature of ingredients, the dilution ratio, and even the order of mixing can dramatically affect the final product. This knowledge allows them to create cocktails where sweet, sour, bitter, and umami elements work together seamlessly, with no single component overwhelming the palate.

Temperature control represents another crucial aspect of the craft cocktail movement. Experienced bartenders understand that proper chilling isn't just about adding ice—it's about controlling dilution while achieving the optimal serving temperature. They may use specialized techniques like pre-chilling glassware, using different ice shapes for specific drinks, or employing dry ice for dramatic temperature effects that enhance both flavor and presentation.

An equally important part of the craft cocktail experience is the visual presentation, which has elevated these drinks to Instagram-worthy works of art. These cocktails are often distinguished by their stunning aesthetics, where attention to detail makes each drink visually captivating and creates an irresistible appeal for guests. The presentation might feature hand-carved ice spheres, delicate herb sprigs that release aromatic oils when gently slapped, or house-made flavored salts that rim the glass with both visual appeal and complementary flavors.

Just as important as the cocktail ingredients, creative garnishes have become a hallmark of craft cocktail culture, moving far beyond the traditional olive or cherry. Mixologists might create dehydrated citrus wheels, candied grapefruit peels, or smoking cinnamon sticks that add both visual drama and aromatic complexity. Some establishments are known for their signature garnish styles—perhaps a specific edible flower that reflects local terroir, artisanal cocktail picks carved from sustainable wood, or even custom ice molds that bear the bar's logo.

a custom Griffin logo melted into an ice block at Griff's Speakeasy

The choice of glassware itself becomes part of the craft, with each vessel carefully selected to enhance the drinking experience. A Nick and Nora glass might be chosen for its elegant lines and perfect capacity for a stirred cocktail, while a coupe glass could be selected for its wide rim that allows aromatic compounds to reach the nose. Some craft cocktail establishments invest in vintage or custom glassware that adds another layer of authenticity and visual appeal to their presentations.

Even seemingly simple elements like cocktail napkins, stirrers, and serving trays are chosen with intention, creating a cohesive aesthetic experience that reflects the establishment's personality and attention to detail. This comprehensive approach to craft ensures that every element—from the first visual impression to the last sip—contributes to creating an unforgettable cocktail experience that justifies the premium associated with true craft cocktail culture.

Local Craft Cocktail Scene: Southern Idaho's Best Bars and Speakeasies

If you're a local to southern Idaho, there are plenty of bars, restaurants and speakeasies that hand craft their own specific cocktails. Tailored to their local community, sourced from local ingredients, and targeted to the tastes of this region.

A great place to find some of their locally sourced craft cocktails is Turf Club in Twin Falls. Not only are the drink ingredients locally sourced, but they have in-house mixologists hand crafting these cocktails and continuously creating new combinations, flavors and seasonally derived cocktails. 

Their hidden speakeasy, Griffs, is also known for its creative craft cocktails and refined, Asian-influenced aesthetics. In the belief that cocktails are an art form, their bartenders craft beverages that elevate every sip into an experience to remember. An outstanding fusion of artistry, flavor and ambiance is sure to create a moment worth savoring here. 

Why Choose Craft Cocktails: The Ultimate Drinking Experience

Hand crafted cocktails are known to demonstrate elegance, include a touch of artistry, highlight quality ingredients, and offer a memorable drinking experience from first sip to last. Find your local bar, speakeasy, or fine dining establishment and give a hand crafted cocktail a try.