How to cool drinks properly?
Dec 30, 2022
New Year's Eve is just around the corner, followed by the New Year and the start of Carnival. At the popular parties during this period, drinks - with and without alcohol - definitely play the first fiddle. The temperature at which they are served not only affects their taste, but also, for example, whether they quench thirst. The varying chemical composition of the individual drinks means that their aroma and flavour will resonate best when they are chilled to the right level.
Take a look at our quick reference guide to see at what temperature to serve your favourite drinks!
Wine is one of the drinks for which the serving temperature is particularly important. According to most sources, sparkling wines and champagnes should be served coldest. The optimum temperature for these beverages is 8 - 10°C, and even 7°C for sweet, intense sparkling wines.
White and rosé wines should be served at a slightly higher temperature. They taste best when chilled to around 9 - 13°C. They are then light and aromatic, and their acidity is much more perceptible and crowns the whole composition. In wine that is too warm, the alcohol comes to the fore, suppressing the subtle flavours and bringing an unpleasant aftertaste. It is worth remembering, however, that too low a temperature can make the wine completely tasteless, so you need to scrupulously watch the cooling process and not try to speed it up by putting the wine in the freezer!
Red wines need the highest temperature, commonly referred to as "room temperature". However, don't be taken in by the standard temperature in our living rooms today, which fluctuates around 20-22°C. This recommendation dates back to medieval times, when the average temperature of the rooms they inhabited was between 15-18°C. Experts in the wine industry believe that these are the optimum conditions for this type of beverage, in which wine reveals all its qualities.
Many of us almost automatically evoke the adjective 'cold' in our minds at the thought of beer. It turns out that this relationship is neither obvious nor always beneficial. Depending on the type of beer, the serving temperature can be significantly different. It is generally accepted that no beer should be cooled below 6°C, as too low a temperature will make it tasteless. Lager should be served coldest, optimally between 6°C and 9°C. Beer like ale is best at around 7°C - 11°C. Stout needs to be chilled to around 13°C.
Depending on the type of alcohol, serving temperatures will also vary. Brandy, whisky or cognac will reach their full flavour at room temperature, i.e. 15-18°C. However, it is not a mistake to put a few ice cubes in a whisky glass. Other stronger spirits such as vodka and gin definitely need to be cooled down. The best serving temperature for them is around 0 - 4°C. As with all other spirits, they should not be kept in the freezer as this will adversely affect their taste. Liqueurs should also be served slightly chilled, as this will balance out the sweet taste resulting from the high sugar content of these spirits.
Flavoured vodkas, on the other hand, should not be chilled. If they are too cold, they lose their flavour.
Carbonated drinks prove to be extremely tolerant when it comes to serving temperature, although they are definitely tastier cold than warm. The suggested chilled level is 4 -5°C.
Juices should be served cold, but not icy! Excessive chilling will rob them of their pleasant fruit flavour. The best temperature for juices is approx. 12 - 15°C.
While drinking the above-mentioned beverages is mainly for pleasure, water is an essential fluid in our body. Therefore, if we drink water to rehydrate our bodies, e.g. after strenuous exercise, it should be at a temperature of approx. 16°C, according to research. If at any given time the main purpose of water is to quench thirst, it should be drunk more strongly cooled and - very interestingly - carbonated.
Finally, let us just add that from the experience and reports of our customers, we know that the best way to maintain the optimal temperature of individual drinks is to keep them in RAPA refrigeration devices, the full offer of which can be found on our website, by calling the phone number: 81 742 53 10 or by e-mail: rapa@rapa.lublin.pl.😉
