Your training is almost complete. Today we’re cocktail tasting, cocktail balancing and cocktail perfecting. In this finale of our "Getting Started" series, we’re breaking down the steps to deconstructing a cocktail, balancing it and then improving it. et us introduce you to a sweet little friend of ours—the Cocktail of the Week. Who will also be our model this week. So get in here!

(00:00) How to Balance a Cocktail

(01:54) Cocktail of the Week: The Plain & Simple (Daiquiri)

(03:59) Why fresh lime juice matters

(05:21) A brief sojourn into rum

(08:31) How to taste cocktails like an expert (no, you're doing it wrong)

(15:32) The secret to balancing cocktails (hint: it involves homework)

(24:02) Simple tips to improve your cocktail

(30:00) Closing

• 2 parts white rum
• 1 part fresh lime juice
• 1 part simple syrup (1:1 white cane sugar to water)
• Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until fully chilled. Double strain into a chilled, stemmed cocktail glass. Serve without garnish.

• 2 parts Plantation Three Stars rum
• 3/4 part fresh lime juice
• 3/4 part simple syrup (1:1)
• 1 lime wheel for garnish
• Combine rum, lime juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake until fully chilled. Double strain into a chilled, stemmed cocktail glass. Float lime wheel on top of cocktail.

• 2 parts white rum
• 1 part fresh lime juice
• 3/4 part simple syrup
• Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until fully chilled. Double strain into a chilled, stemmed cocktail glass.

• 2 parts white rum
• 3/4 part fresh lime juice
• 1 part simple syrup
• Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until fully chilled. Double strain into a chilled, stemmed cocktail glass.

• 2 parts white rum
• 3/4 part fresh lime juice
• 3/4 part simple syrup
• Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until fully chilled. Double strain into a chilled, stemmed cocktail glass.

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We own and recommend these books:

The 12 Bottle Bar: Make Hundreds of Cocktails with Just Twelve Bottles by David Solmonson, Lesley Jacobs Solmonson

Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail by Dave Arnold

Imbibe! by David Wondrich

Cocktail Codex by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, David Kaplan

Products we own, like and use:

• Measuring tools
• OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup, 2 Oz capacity
• OXO Metal Angled Measuring Cup
• OXO SteeL Double Jigger
• Shakers
• This shaking set is sold as two separate items on Amazon, you will need both