Flavor profiles & tasting notes

Document your beverages’ flavors and add personal observations.

While there is a magical component to mixing a delicious drink, it’s hard to deny the science underpinning the affair.

Whether in chemistry class or mixology class, measuring, mixing and experimentation are essential elements of the experience. I find it’s especially true when it comes to describing and journaling taste.

Every person’s palette is unique, some flavors are tied closely to memories (e.g. this tastes like my grandmother’s cooking) - others, experiential (I have a low tolerance for spice, but my fiancé recreationally eats hot chilis).

Luckily, there is general consensus when it comes to describing how your cocktails might actually taste. Here’s a standard list of tasting notes with their accompanying descriptions:

Boozy

The characteristic flavor and aroma of the presence of alcohol in a large percentage. It may be sharp, warming, nose-tingling, or burning.

Sweet

Perception of the presence of sugars. Honey, fruits, maple syrup.

Sour

Perception of the presence of acids. Citrus, vinegar, yogurt, kombucha.

Bitter

Perception of the presence of bases. Certain botanicals like gentian root or cinchona bark, amaro liqueurs, tonic water, coffee, dark chocolate, beer, cranberries, cruciferous vegetables, green tea, bitters.

Spicy

Perception of heat and pepper. Peppercorns, hot peppers and that tingling sensation some of us crave from foods other than wings.

Savory

Perception of sodium chloride. Sea salt, olives, bacon, pickles, cheeses.

Fruity

Combination of sugars and tartness. Citrus, ripe strawberries, grapes, and apples.

Smoky

Perception of peat. Smoked meats, firewood, and ash.

Herbaceous

Perception of botanicals. Elderflower, cilantro, anything that feels like a bouquet on the palette.

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📖 Notate Your Findings Here

💡 Tip: Use the general tasting notes above in order to loosely summarize your cocktails’ flavors and the detailed tasting notes to capture all your creations’ nuances.

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Add Personal Tasting Notes

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Note: This button will only work once you start making cocktails!

Your Personal Tasting Notes

Your Personal Tasting Notes

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Cocktail

Detailed Tasting Notes

Gen. Tasting Notes

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