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Android Authority
29-06-2025
- Android Authority
Happy hour with Gemini: How I built my perfect summer bartender
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority If you open the liquor cabinets (plural) in my home, you'll find an eclectic collection of spirits ranging from the mundane to the random and unique bottles my husband and I have bought in some small or unknown town during our travels. My husband likes to joke that I gifted him a basic bartending course and now I'm benefiting from it, but in my mind, it was a sound financial investment for both of us. The problem, though, is that there isn't a course varied enough to cover all of our niche spirits, and sifting through tons of online recipe sites for one weird ingredient often yields super complicated cocktails with more ingredients that I don't have at hand. Meanwhile, it's sad to see dozens of bottles sitting unopened, waiting for the perfect cocktail or recipe inspiration to hit. So I decided to take matters into my own hands, or into Gemini model's proverbial hands, and create a bartender who understands me and my ingredient list. The results are often hits, sometimes misses, but you bet that I'm having a lot of fun 'testing' this feature for science, and work, of course… Have you used Gemini (or any other AI chatbot) to get cocktail ideas? 0 votes Yes, all the time. NaN % Yes, from time to time. NaN % Once, I didn't like what it suggested. NaN % No, never. NaN % I don't drink. NaN % Stage one bartender: Quick chat with Gemini Live Rita El Khoury / Android Authority My first experience with my Gemini bartender was a quick chat with Gemini Live. I had a lot of leftover celery leaves with some mint, and I was wondering if they could be used in a cocktail. I asked Gemini if they'd fit in a cocktail, and it suggested a celery and mint mojito. Nothing fancy, but not something I would've thought about off the top of my head — I'm still a baby bartender after all. The celery and mint mojito that Gemini suggested was perfectly balanced and so refreshing that I've done it many times since. The result, though, was so nice and refreshing that I had to do a few double-takes because I didn't think celery leaves would work this well in a cocktail. The ratio was perfectly balanced with the mint. The mix was so good that whenever I've had a bit of celery for other purposes since that fateful day, I've been cutting off some extra leaves to redo this same cocktail. It's a fantastic summer winner. Point, Gemini. Stage two: Trying to replicate restaurant or bar cocktails Rita El Khoury / Android Authority From that day on, I knew I had a tool to help me craft interesting cocktails from scratch (or from other online recipes that I'm too lazy to sift through), but what about replicating existing ones? See, whenever I order a drink at a bar or restaurant and I like it, I have trouble replicating it at home. I am not addicted to alcohol enough to go through many stages of trials and errors; I'd rather just get the recipe right from the get-go. But no bar or restaurant is ever gonna share their specialty, so to Gemini I turn. I can easily recreate my favorite cocktails from my favorite bars and restaurants at home. I've been sharing the ingredient description of the best specialty cocktails I find and asking Gemini to figure out the recipe. The results are better than what my personal approximation would've been, to be honest, with the right balance between spirits, syrups, lemon juice, simple syrup, and others. It feels less like fumbling and more like an educated guess; Gemini puts me on the right track, and I can make minor adjustments to get as close as possible to the original creation. Without lemon juice With lemon juice Thanks to this, I've been able to replicate the most balanced and refreshing summer cocktail I've ever had at any restaurant/bar (Smäak in Tours, France) with rosemary-infused gin, elderflower liqueur, and crème de cassis. Gemini's original recipe didn't include any lemon juice, but in my fading memories, there was a bit of sourness to the original cocktail, so I asked Gemini to add it, and the result was absolute perfection. Now, two years later, Smäak is sadly closed in Tours, but its cocktail lives on in my home. Another Gemini win. Stage three: Giving Gemini the keys to my entire spirits cabinet Rita El Khoury / Android Authority After all that experimentation, I realized the final boss stage in my battle would be to create my own bartender — an agent that knows me, what I have in my liquor storage, what I don't always have at hand, what I like, and what I don't. And that required building my personal bartending Gemini gem. I started by making a spreadsheet of all the spirits and cocktail ingredients in our deep-lying cabinets. It's a simple Google Sheet with one ingredient per row that I can easily keep updated by adding or removing items. Then, I went to Gemini, clicked on Explore Gems > New Gem, and linked my Google Drive file into the Knowledge panel at the bottom. That way, I don't have to re-teach Gemini my ingredients every time; I can update the document, and it has access to the new additions or recent removals. Rita El Khoury / Android Authority On top of that, I gave Gemini extra instructions, explaining the staple ingredients I have, what I like, and told it to always give me three suggestions when building recipes. It took a few tweaks, but the instructions are now well-suited for my use. Whenever I want some fresh inspiration, I ask Gemini for a new cocktail by giving it one main ingredient or flavor request, and it delivers. Rita El Khoury / Android Authority This has led to weird experimentation with fresh basil and rum in a daiquiri (not recommended), then with aniseed liqueur instead (a surprising new favorite!), and with licorice liqueur (a middling result). Rita El Khoury / Android Authority I've been having fun since February, and at a rate of one new cocktail per week or two weeks, you can guess that there are several non-photographed creations here, from a fig and thyme sparkler with gin (recommended) to a berry and yogurt liqueur smoothie that Gemini cheekily suggested could be a nice breakfast and cocktail in one. It's always 5 PM somewhere, as they say! Making my own Gemini Bartender using a gem that knows my preferences and has access to my spirits collection was a game changer. Of all the Gemini use cases and all the special gems I've created, I must admit that this is the best one — and not only because of the delicious cocktails! It's so easy to keep the spreadsheet updated, and it's awesome to have all the instructions ready in a gem, so I don't have to retype all of them or forget something. Plus, it's been fun to push Gemini with random ingredient suggestions or simply let it get creative by telling it 'surprise me.' Honestly, if I had the time to read or watch all the bartending creators out there, I'd do it; I prefer the personal touch, recommendations, and tips. But sadly, this is a quick hobby for me, so I do enjoy the AI shortcut and having a massive smarter search engine at my disposal, if only because it won't waste my time by surfacing cocktails with ingredients I don't have at hand. If you're a spirits collector like me, I suggest you build your own spreadsheet and gem, too. You might be surprised by all the inspiration it'll bring.
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Everything you need to stock the perfect home bar: tools, glasses, and spirits
As someone who has spent the majority of the last five years testing spirits, wines, and bar essentials, it's safe to say I know a thing or two about building a home bar. Whether that's finding you the best muddler to use (or telling you what a muddler is used for) and rounding up the most versatile spirits for your cocktails, I have even the most inexperienced mixologist covered. From cocktail tools to smooth-sipping spirits, here's everything your home bar or bar cart needs to entertain. Bar tools OXO Steel Single Wall Cocktail Shaker $22.49 This functional cocktail shaker has a cap that also doubles as a jigger — allowing you to measure your pours with ease. It's completely leakproof, for even the most rigorous cocktail shakers, and weighs well under a pound for portability. The parts are easy to separate, too, and won't require you to wrestle them apart after use. Shop Beneno Wine Opener $13.99 (18% off) In a world of electric wine openers, you must be wondering why I'm recommending this option. Well, first off, I've had it for years and it's opened countless bottles of red wine for me — with ease. And also, there's something just satisfying about screwing the corkscrew off yourself — I love hearing the pop when I've finally managed to wrestle it out. This option has a great grip, and I've rarely chipped a cork on the way out. It's also a much more affordable pick compared to electric options. Shop Winco Wooden Muddler $5.69 I'm all about a wooden muddler as they're easy to clean and, in my opinion, are the most durable. I specifically use this option to gently mash fruits (especially berries) for summer cocktails. I like the larger surface area and am fond of how efficiently this can crush any berries without completely mushing them. It's all in the amount of pressure though, so make sure not to be overly aggressive when you're muddling. Shop Ice Bucket with Lid, Ice Tongs, Spoon, and Strainer $27.99 No bar cart or bar setup is complete without an ice bucket and ice tongs. An ice bucket can keep your prosecco or white wines chilled, even outside, and the tongs make it easy to scoop just the right amount of cubes into your glass. You'll also get a scooper and an ice strainer in this set, allowing you to store ice for longer — and say goodbye to that pesky melted water with ease. Shop A Bar Above Premium Bell Jigger $19.15 (13% off) Ever seen bartenders measure out their liquors before they pour it in the shaker? Yep, that's what a jigger is used for. This one offers ten internal measurements, and has a stainless steel finish that makes it durable and long-lasting — it resists rust and corrosion. It's extremely precise, and makes a great bar addition for professional and beginner mixologists alike. Shop KITESSENSU Cocktail Shaker Set $36.99 (26% off) If you don't want the hassle of buying individual tools, this cocktail shaker set has everything you need. You'll get a Martini Shaker, Jigger, Strainer, Mixer Spoon, Muddler, Liquor Pourers, corkscrew, and ice tongs within this set. Plus, a stand to hold them all. I also love that the set comes with an included recipe booklet, perfect for novice mixologists to test their skills. Shop Glasses JoyJolt Spirits Stemless Wine Glasses $17.95 (18% off) A lot of wine aficionados might say you need separate glasses for red and white wines, but if you just don't have the space, stemless wine glasses can work in a pinch. I've owned this set for a while now, and they haven't chipped, even after multiple dishwasher trips. You'll get four glasses in this (I bought two sets) and you can even shop them in fun patterns — Hello Kitty wine glasses, anyone? Shop Martini Glasses Set of 2 $19.98 From espresso martinis to dirty gin martinis, the right glass can truly elevate your drinking experience. This set of two delicate crystal glasses will make you feel like you're running a speakeasy in your living room. It's sturdy, has a comfortable grip, and looks good on a bar cart. It's also dishwasher safe for ease of cleaning. Shop Glaskey Whiskey Glasses Set of 4 $18.99 Yes, you could get the expensive Baccarat tumblers if you've got the cash, but these Amazon dupes will do just fine — and they're literally a fraction of the cost. You'll get four crystal glasses in this set. Each is scratch resistant, and dishwasher safe, and has a simple, elegant look. If for whatever reason your glasses arrive even slightly damaged, the brand will quickly issue you a replacement too. Shop JBHO Champagne Glasses $29.96 Toast to your celebrations with these durable crystal glasses. They're hand-blown, surprisingly durable, and are also dishwasher safe. It's best for champagne and sparkling wines, and holds seven ounces of liquid. Fill it to the brim or use it for a toast, either way these champagne flutes don't disappoint. Shop Vintage Art Deco Nick and Nora Coupe Glasse $49.99 Nick & Nora glasses are not a necessity for your bar cart, but they can be used for a variety of cocktails — including martinis, gimlets, and even champagne. I love the vintage design on these, and friends constantly ask me where I purchased them. I specifically use them to serve Manhattans, but the sky is the limit with what you serve in them. I'd rather you buy this set than spring for martini glasses and champagne flutes, especially if you're short on space. Shop Godinger Highball Drinking Glasses $22.79 Highballs are best used to serve mixed drinks — due to their larger capacity. This clear set is dishwasher safe, durable, and has a thick base, which the brand says adds stability and keeps these glasses from shattering. They can hold up to 14 ounces, and can even double as regular water glasses on days you're not entertaining. Shop Glenfiddich 18 year old Whiskey $158 Slightly pricier than both the more economical 12-year-old, this caramel-toned whiskey is easily a bar cart favorite. Expect notes of ripe fruit, baked apple, and oak. The flavor is deep, full, and warm — for me, it tastes like the first day of fall. Drink it neat or use it to create an old fashioned. Shop Gray Whale Gin $51.99 I love Gray Whale for its botanical flavor, featuring juniper, mint, and lime, amongst others. It pairs really well for a summer-themed martini, and tastes great with a splash of tonic water. I also love that the brand gives back to ocean conservation efforts, and protects the majestic Gray Whale with every purchase. Shop Dobel Atelier: Animales Endémicos $253 Every bottle in this limited edition collection is hand-painted by Oaxacan artisans, featuring bright, vivid, and intricate designs. This option is priced over $200 but it's well worth the price for its unique design, collector's quality, and of course, smooth, full flavor. Expect hints of chocolate, agave, and dried fruits on your tongue, and a subtle finish with a hint of smoky wood. Shop Ron Del Barrilito 3 stars $40.94 There's something about a rum old fashioned that just screams summer to me. Make your own with my favorite rum of choice, Ron del Barrilito. Made in Puerto Rico, this smooth medium-bodied rum features notes of vanilla, almonds, dry fruits, and just a hint of ripe bananas. It's just sweet enough to make it easy to drink, and leaves a lingering smoky finish on your palate long after the drink is done. Shop Del Maguey Vida Mezcal $41.96 For non-mezcal drinkers, Del Maguey is a great intro to the brand. This smoky liquor coats your palate and honestly reminds me of a deep honey and cinnamon blended together — with a hint of that smoky flavor all mezcal comes with. Drink it neat or make a margarita out of it — yes, you can use mezcal to make margaritas too. Shop Dubliner Irish Whiskey $30.84 This no-frills Irish whiskey is just what you'll crave after a long day's work. It's a smooth sip, packed with flavors of honey and smoky peppers. The finish is silky smooth and leaves a taste of sweet fruit wrapped with honey on your palate. As far as well-priced whiskeys go, Dubliner's bourbon cask aged whiskey is up there. Shop Ketel One Vodka $29.97 I'm not much of a vodka drinker, but if I had to pick, it would always be Ketel One. It pairs seamlessly well in a martini, and is silky smooth — making this one of the only vodkas I can truly stomach. It has a crisp, refreshing flavor, and tastes best chilled. Shop Mionetto 'Prestige' Organic Prosecco $13.54 No one does prosecco like Mionetto, and their organic prosecco is my favorite from their Prestige Collection. It has a rich flavor with notes of ripe golden apples, honey, pear, and peach. It's fresh, and the drink of the summer. Layer it in a spritz or sip it by itself. You and your guests won't be disappointed. Shop
