Bartending
By Colleen Graham, About.com Guide to Cocktails
Bartending is a career choice for some and a hobby for others. Whichever route you take, there are a few tips, tricks and techniques that you will need to begin making great drinks. Once you learn the basics and become familiar with popular cocktails you can take you new found knowledge to begin creating great spirited concoctions of your own.
Bartending Basics
As you begin your journey in the world of cocktails you'll most likely come across many recipes that ask you to shake this and muddle that along with a few other common bartending techniques. These methods are the commonly required in the majority of cocktails. With a little practice, by making drinks for yourself and friends, these drink preparations will become second nature.
- 5 Steps to Better Cocktails
- Basic Shaking Tips
- How to Stir a Cocktail
- When to Shake and When to Stir
- Chilling Glassware
- The Glassware Tour
- Infusing Spirits
- Layered Drinks
- Muddling Drinks
- Rimming a Glass
- Rolling a Drink
- The Importance of Ice
- Eco-Friendly Bartending
Cocktail Terminology
Just like any trade or craft, there are words that are specific to mixology that you will come across often. Some of these terms take on a completely different meaning than when they are used outside of the bar and may be confusing when first experienced. Learning their "spirited meanings" will help you get along in a career or in your experiences as a bar and lounge patron.
Bottles Behind the Bar
If you've ever been in a bar you know that there are many bottles behind the counter that bartenders, seemingly unconsciously, pull out, pour from and return to a designated place. What is in all those bottles? What is needed to stock a bar? And what could be contained in those long, unmarked plastic bottles with a curved spout, that seem to accent many drinks (sour mix, simple syrup, etc)? Those questions are answered as you explore this section of bottles you'll find behind many bars.
- Essential Spirits to Stock a Bar
- Learn Your Liqueurs
- All About Bitters
- How Many Shots are in a Bottle?
- The Shelf Life of Liquor
- Will Alcohol Freeze?
- The Twelve Bottle Bar
- Dry & Sweet Vermouth
- How to Make Simple Syrup
- How to Make Sour Mix
- Understanding Sodas
- How to Make Grenadine
Distilled Spirits
There are five liquors, or distilled spirits, that are either sipped straight or are used to create the base for the majority of cocktails and mixed drinks. Each of these liquors (brandy, gin, tequila, vodka and whiskey) have defining qualities which distinguish them from all other alcoholic beverages and are often used as the base for many liqueurs, or cordials.
- Learn Your Liqueurs
- Guide to Flavored Vodka Brands
- Distilled Spirits Reviews
- Best New Spirits of 2008
- Best New Spirits of 2007
- Best New Spirits of 2006
Bar Tools
There are a few essential tools of the trade that are necessary for every serious and aspiring bartender. A cocktail shaker, bar spoon, muddler and jigger are just a few devices that will help you create the best drinks possible. The tools used in bars do not have to be ordinary either, there are many designer and novelty bar sets and tools available to fit every personality.
- Essential Bar Tools
- How to Use a Speed Pourer
- The Best Cocktail Shakers
- Novelty Cocktail Shakers
- Blender Reviews
- Best Bartending Guides
- Holiday Gifts for the Home Bartender
- 10 Great Electric Juicers
- 10 Travel Bar Sets
Garnishes & Drink Embellishments
Not only does the liquid of a cocktail need to taste great, but the presentation should be spectacular and you'll find that many drinks depend on a particular garnish served in a certain way. Garnishes are not just there for looks, they typically add subtle flavor to drinks or are on the glass's rim to allow the drinker to add the fresh zest, juice or essence according to their own personal taste.
- How to Cut Orange Garnishes
- How to Cut Lime Garnishes
- Video: Cocktail Garnishes
- Video: How to Cut a Lemon Spiral
Going Pro
Depending on the local market and type of establishment getting a position as a bartender can be as easy as an interview and a little initiative or as hard as years of working your way up the ladder of an establishment's ranks. Bartenders are truly multi-talented, they must make great drinks, manage cash and multiple orders at once, play counselor, mediator and sometimes "the bad guy" when dealing with patrons and so on. It is a difficult, yet rewarding, career that can be a great opportunity financially and personally if you have the right knowledge and personality. Good luck!
