Crafting Signature Cocktails with a Mini Keg System

Restaurants and bars have been wowing and impressing their guests for years by serving signature cocktails, creating unique drinks with fun flavour combinations and profiles, but what if you could do it on the go for your own events, parties, picnics or even just from the comfort of your own home - and for cheaper? Well there’s nothing really stopping you, and with the help of an iKegger Mini Keg System you can start impressing your own guests.

Our kegs offer a compact and portable solution which allows you to serve your favourite, and soon to be signature, cocktails with ease. Every pour is just as consistent and fresh as the first. So let's get started, It’s time to make some cocktails!

Cocktail Ideas:

It’s worth noting that no matter what cocktail you decide to make, it’s going to want to be something you can easily scale for larger batches, our kegs come in a range of sizes, from 2L all the way up to 19L.

With our new iKegger 2.0 regulator you can dispense your cocktails with both nitrogen and Co2, and it’s never been easier to switch between the two. Nitrogen or cream chargers will give your cocktails a creamier, fuller mouthfeel, whereas co2 will give you a more carbonated, effervescent cocktail so it’s good to think about how you want your drink to feel and taste when selecting the gas you would use to dispense and serve it.

The Nitro Martini:

A martini is a classic and elegant cocktail, but why not step it up to a new level and infuse it with nitrogen, giving it a smooth and velvety texture. Start with a classic martini recipe, using gin (or vodka), dry vermouth and a twist of citrus. 

Pour your ingredients into your iKegger keg, screw your tap onto the keg and attach the regulator and inject with nitrogen. Shaking your keg will help not only mix all your ingredients (in the wise words of James Bond, shaken, not stirred), but it will also help infuse the nitrogen into your cocktail.

All that’s left to do is serve, simply press down on the button on the tap and watch as your nitrogen infused martini comes cascading out of the tap.

Barrel-Aged Old Fashion: 

Although it sounds like a completely outrageous thing to try at home, it is completely possible to barrel-age your own drinks at home so if you’re feeling a little adventurous why not give it a try.

There's a few different ways you can barrel-age at home, the simplest method involves using food grade wood chips, which will help impart the flavours you, although less intense, you can also invest in oak bottles which will do the same as a barrel, or you can these days even invest in a barrel, with options ranging from 1L - 20L for home use.

So to give your Old Fashioned a fun and unique twist, mix bourbon (or rye whiskey), sugar, bitters and a dash of water and let it age over wood chips (or in a barrel), allowing the flavours to meld over time. Once you’re happy with the aging process, transfer your aged cocktail to your mini keg and serve a perfectly balanced and smooth Old Fashion.

Espresso Martini

Espresso Martinis are a staple when it comes to signature cocktails and always a crowd pleasure so it’s definitely one worth knowing how to make. We’ve got a comprehensive guide on how to make not only your own espresso martini (and cold brew concentrate) but we’ve also got  a espresso martini mini keg system ready to go.

But in its easiest form, simply pour vodka, coffee liqueur, fresh espresso (or cold brew coffee concentrate) and a simple syrup straight into your mini keg. Screw in the tap, attach the regulator and fill the keg with nitrogen. Shaking the keg while it’s infusing is not only a great way to mix all the ingredients together, creating a rich and velvety martini, but it helps the nitrogen infuse creating an impressive creamy foam when served.

Whisky Sour: 

A whisky sour is another great cocktail to make at home, and can easily be enhanced by infusing it with nitrogen for an even creamier texture. By combining whisky, lemons, sugars and egg white in your keg and loading it up with nitrogen, just like that you have a delicious classic cocktail with a little twist.

If you’re not a fan of eggs, or looking for a vegan version of a classic whisky sour we have a handy guide on how to make one with aquafaba instead.

Hard Seltzer:

Although not a cocktail, hard seltzers are a delicious and refreshing drink that you can take advantage of with your mini keg system. We have an easy to follow recipe and guide already, but it’s very similar to the steps you would take for making beer. Once you’ve got your hard seltzer you can carbonate it using co2, creating a light and effervescent drink to serve to your guests.

With an iKegger Mini Keg System you have the ability to create wonderful, delicious and unique cocktails with ease. Above we listed just a few possibilities, nitro infused martinis to barrel-aged Old Fashions, experimenting with your own ingredients, flavour combinations and garnishes has never been easier, the sky really is the limit. The portability of our mini keg system means you can take your new cocktails and cocktail making skills anywhere you want from the comfort of your own home or backyard, to the beach or even the park.

If you’ve fallen in love with crafting and creating your own signature cocktails and want to really take it to the next level, we even have a guide on how to make your own cocktail bar at home.

Cheers!