Love beverages? Make ‘em yourself

Manila Standard Today, Lifestyle | January 4, 2013

We all have a favorite drink. With the multitude of options out there at every street corner of every city, we dish out a lot of money to enjoy beverages that are professionally prepared—coffee, cocktails, juices, tea, smoothies, you name it. And they’re not afraid to charge us a premium.

However, the truth is, it’s quite easy to make virtually any kind of drink right in your own kitchen for a fraction of the price. Sure, you don’t have the time and patience to craft designer concoctions. But it also wouldn’t hurt to try once in a while, like if you’re entertaining guests or spending some alone-time at home. All you need is the right equipment. (Plus, if you’re looking for a new hobby, this could be it.)

For coffee lovers

Everybody has a different morning ritual but most of us have to have some form of caffeine intake to jumpstart the day. Some settle for the instant variety while others have more refined leanings. If you’re the type who indulges on the gourmet kind, what you need is a professional-grade coffee maker with 15-bar pressure so you can make your own cup of coffee with minimal time and effort. That will also save you your daily trip to the coffee shop. (Suggestion: Nescafe Dolce Gusto – machines starting at P4,999 plus capsule sets at P400, leading supermarkets)

For juice lovers

Who doesn’t love a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice? Extract every last drop of vitamin C goodness with an automatic citrus press. Manual presses work just fine, but automatic ones are just so much more convenient and time-saving. Plus, plenty of models are built with features for better extraction and spillage prevention. Getting one is a great investment, especially if you’re a regular orange juice drinker. (Suggestion: Moulinex Citrus Press – P2,975, Lazada.com.ph)

But the thing that everyone has to have is a juice extractor. Make your own liquid blend of fruits and vegetables for intense detox or simple diet supplement. Recipes for different needs are abundant on the Internet, so you won’t run out of healthy ideas. Look for an extractor with a high-power motor to really get the juice out of the most fibrous sources, and a large mouth feeder to accommodate big chunks. (Suggestion: GE 800-watt Juice Extractor – $49.96, Walmart.com)

For cocktail lovers

Home bars are not only about the wines, spirits and liquors. You need reliable tools to create those mixology wonders that cost hundreds of pesos per glass at bars and clubs. Necessities include a two-piece glass and stainless shaker set, double jigger, lemon and lime slicing knife, bottle cap lifter, cocktail strainer, stirrer, tongs and chopping board. These are available individually and in sets. (Suggestion: Oggi Pro Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cocktail Set – $34.47, Amazon.com)