In recent years, the bartending industry has experienced a notable increase in popularity. The figure of the bartender has evolved, transforming from a simple drink server to a real "scientist of cocktails", an expert of mixology. This new bartending world has come a long way, with new and innovative mixology techniques constantly developed to take cocktail crafting to the next level. One such technique that has become increasingly popular is the use of centrifuges to separate and clarify ingredients, resulting in clearer, more concentrated flavors and textures. And when it comes to choosing the right centrifuge for your bar, the OHAUS Frontier FC5916R and its rotors are indeed a mixologist’s best friend.

 

Why do mixologists use centrifuges?

In the world of bartending, centrifuges are used to clarify and concentrate ingredients, resulting in smoother, clearer cocktails with more intense flavors and textures. By spinning a mixture of ingredients in a centrifuge, mixologists can separate the solids from the liquids, allowing them to use only the purest, most concentrated flavors in their cocktails.

When it comes to choosing the right centrifuge, the OHAUS Frontier  is an excellent choice for the discerning mixologist. This high-quality centrifuge combined with a Swing Out Rotor is the perfect configuration for those looking to take their cocktail game to the next level. It also features a durable, stainless steel construction, meaning it's built to last and will withstand the rigors of daily use in a busy bar.

Furthermore, using the FC5916R with a Swing Out Rotor allows bartenders to easily load and unload samples without having to disassemble and reassemble the rotor. This is far more convenient than using other types of centrifuges, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive to operate. The FC5916R’s Swing Out Rotor is capable of handling up to 750 ml of liquid per tube, making it perfect for large-scale cocktail production.

 

How are mixologists using the OHAUS Centrifuge?

Mixologists around the world are using the OHAUS Frontier FC5916R Centrifuge to create a wide range of unique and innovative cocktails. For example, one popular technique is to use the centrifuge to clarify fruit juices and purees, resulting in a clearer, more concentrated flavor. The traditional method for the clarification of fruit juices and purees is to mix the liquid with agar-agar which binds to the solids, the solution is then allowed to set for a period of time and filtered through a coffee filter at least twice. This process can result in a loss of up to 25% of the solution. By using a centrifuge there is no requirement for the use of agar-agar which dramatically reduces the time needed for preparation from 12 hours to 30 minutes. The loss of solution by centrifugation is also reduced to less than 5%, which is typically made up of the solids that are removed.

Chris Tanner, co-owner of Dram Bar in Soho, London highly recommends using the OHAUS Frontier FC5916R for this purpose, as they work with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. The use of a centrifuge optimizes their process resulting in far less waste. The clarity of the cocktail mixtures is also very important at Dram Bar, as most of their cocktails are carbonated. Having well clarified drinks reduces the length of time it takes to carbonate the drinks, resulting in a significant reduction of the volume of carbon dioxide used.



Chris also highly recommends the FC5916R due to the low temperatures it can achieve during use. Reaching temperatures as low as -20°C allows the separation of fats from their cocktail ingredients. Fats are a very good flavour carrier and can be easily infused with other flavours by heating them with the fat - such as mint and coconut oil. The coconut oil is then added to the alcohol and the mixture is homogenized and centrifuged on a chilled setting. The fat from the coconut oil solidifies and can be easily removed, resulting in a cocktail that is beautifully clear, with the crisp, delicious flavours of mint and coconut infused within it.




Elon Sodu, the owner of Amaro and Twice Shy bars in London, is a mixologist who also appreciates the benefits of the OHAUS Frontier FC5916R Centrifuge. By using centrifuges along with other instrumentation more typically seen in a laboratory setting than a cocktail bar, he has the freedom to create most of the spirits needed for his cocktails in-house, allowing for more flexibility with flavor profiles and ingredients. One of his favorite uses for the centrifuge is preparing fruit syrups, such as raspberry or rhubarb, resulting in unique and complex flavors that cannot be achieved through traditional cocktail-making techniques.

In addition, by using the FC5916R, Twice Shy bar is able to achieve more precise levels of alcohol by volume (ABV), allowing their mixologists to control the strength of the cocktails with greater accuracy.

In conclusion, the OHAUS Frontier FC5916R Centrifuge is an essential tool for any mixologist looking to take their cocktail game to the next level by creating innovative, complex cocktails with unique flavor profiles and textures. With a Swing Out Rotor, large sample capacity, and durable construction it is the convenient and reliable choice for mixologists around the world.



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