what drinks do you need to know to bartend

^{10 Popular Drinks Bartenders Should Know}

1. Mojito. The Cuban mojito cocktail is growing in popularity for its sweet, minty, refreshing flavors. ...
2. Negroni. A traditional negroni is a thing of beauty; it's a flavorful blend of gin, Campari, and vermouth. ...
3. Whiskey Sour. Next to the old-fashioned, the whiskey sour is the world's most popular whiskey cocktail, so it's important that a bartender learns this blend of whiskey, lemon juice, ...
4. Moscow Mule. The classic Moscow mule is all over cocktail menus these days along with popular variations that add berries, fuit juice, mint, and other ingredients.
5. Sazerac. The sazerac cocktail was invented in New Orleans, and it remains a popular cocktail, particularly in the United States.
Amaretto Sour. The sweet and sour amaretto sour remains a popular bar drink. ...
French 75. This classic cocktail has been showing up on cocktail menus a lot in recent years, so it's helpful to know how to make it.
Sidecar. It may sound old-fashioned, but the sidecar is another classic drink enjoying a renaissance. It's a simple drink made with Cointreau, cognac or armagnac, and lemon juice.
Cosmopolitan. The pink-tinted Cosmopolitan is considered a typical girly drink, but it's got great sweet and sour combination of flavors that makes it a popular and commonly ordered cocktail ...
White Russian. The white Russian is one of the most popular Kahlúa drinks because it is sweet and creamy. ...

Full Answer

What are 10 drinks every bartender should know?

Drinks Every Bartender Should Know: 12 Basic Cocktail Recipes

1. Martini. A classic martini is a thing of beauty. ...
2. Bloody Mary. The Bloody Mary is having a moment right now with popular versions containing an array of food garnishes, using bacon flavored liquors, or featuring lots of spice.
3. Old-Fashioned. ...
4. Gin and Tonic. ...
5. Kamikaze. ...
6. Lemon Drop. ...
7. Long Island Iced Tea. ...
8. Tom Collins. ...
9. Manhattan. ...
10. Margarita. ...

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What drinks do bartenders judge you the most for?

It is because of these that most bartenders have an innate ability to determine personality characteristics just by a drink order. 1. Old Fashioned. 2. Vodka & Mixer. You are not invincible and I can’t wait to call you a cab in about an hour. 3. Martini. You are on a power trip and like to sound pretentious.

What are the basic bar drinks?

Classic Cocktails Every Drinker Should Try

• Dry Martini. The martini is often the first cocktail many people think of when it comes to "fancy" drinks. ...
• Manhattan. What the martini is to gin, the Manhattan is to whiskey. ...
• Old-Fashioned. ...
• Daiquiri. ...
• Old-Fashioned. ...
• Sidecar. ...
• Jack Rose. ...
• Margarita. ...
• Whiskey Sour. ...
• Mint Julep. ...

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How to order drinks like a bartender?

Order your drink. Speak loudly and clearly, especially if the bar is crowded. If you’re ordering multiple drinks, order them all at the same time. If the bartender needs clarification on your order, they will say so. When ordering mixed drinks, say the liquor type or brand name first and then what kind of mixer you’d like. For example:

How many drinks do bartenders need to know?

Some people wonder how many drinks a bartender needs to learn to make when they learn this profession. The International Bartenders Association (IBA) has an official list of 77 drinks. Those drinks are seen as the true drink selection that can be requested at a bar.

Do bartenders need to know every drink?

So no. You don't need to memorize a hundred cocktails recipes and basic bar drinks to excel as a bartender. Most of the time, you'll only ever make the same 20-25 cocktails over and over again, sometimes less, so you should focus on learning how to make those 20-25 cocktails really well.

What are the easiest drinks for a bartender?

The Basic Drinks for BartendersOld Fashioned Recipe. 2 oz American Whiskey. 0.5 oz Simple Syrup. ... Manhattan Recipe. 2 oz American Whiskey. 1 oz Sweet Vermouth. ... Negroni Recipe. 1 oz Gin. ... Margarita Recipe. 2 oz Tequila. ... Martini Recipe. 3 oz Gin. ... Cosmopolitan Recipe. 1.5 oz Vodka (citrus flavored) ... Long Island Iced Tea. 1 oz Vodka.

What should a beginner bartender know?

Bartending Tips For BeginnersThere is always more to do behind the bar. ... Glass Will Break, Drinks Will Spill. ... Keep the Bar Clean. ... Know How to Pour Alcohol. ... Be an expert of drink recipes. ... Be a professional. ... Know How to Talk to Your Customers, but Keep your conversations short. ... Stay out of the way of other bartenders.

What is the 50 rule in bartending?

What's the 50% rule? You cannot serve another drink to a customer until their last drink is half empty.

What are the 6 basic cocktails?

They are the Old Fashioned, Martini, Daiquiri, Sidecar, Whiskey Highball, and Flip. In each drink, every ingredient falls into at least one category. Core is the primary flavor; balance enhances the core with sweetness, acidity, or both; and seasoning adds another dimension and complements or contrasts with the core.

What are the 7 basic cocktails?

Magnificent Seven CocktailsOld Fashioned. Made with: Bourbon (and/or rye whiskey but OK with 100% bourbon), sugar syrup and angostura bitters. ... Manhattan. Made with: Bourbon, sweet vermouth and angostura bitters. ... Dry Martini. Made with: Dry gin, dry vermouth and orange bitters. ... Daiquiri. ... Negroni. ... Margarita. ... Espresso Martini.

How do servers learn to drink?

Take a bartending class or ask to get trained on bar One of the best ways to learn is through doing. By taking a class or getting trained to work behind the bar, you will learn the products your bar has and how to make many drinks. This could provide an opportunity to bartend, which could allow you to make more money.

How do I become a bartender with no experience?

How to Become a Bartender With No ExperienceGet a Bartending License. ... Get Hired as a Barback. ... Start at a Restaurant Bar. ... Find a Bartending Mentor. ... Learn How to Pour Drinks. ... Practice Mixology. ... Be Patient and Available. ... Don't Rely On Bartending School Alone.

What are the common bartending mistakes?

Here are a few common mistakes and ways to prevent them:Letting Chaos Take Over. It is Saturday night. ... Using Glasses as Ice Scoops. ... Being Overconfident with Pouring Abilities. ... Mishandling Glassware. ... Poor Beer Pours. ... Shaking Instead of Stirring and Vice Versa.

How do I train a new bartender?

Train for Food and Drink Pairing. A step up from the drink history lessons is pairing drinks with food. ... Train for Tech. ... Learn From Bar Blogs and Websites. ... Know the Location of Liquor and Glasses. ... Listen to Bartending Podcasts. ... Know When to Cut Someone Off.

How can I learn bartending fast?

13:3816:13Learn to Bartend From Home [Free Bartender Training] - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPractice all the motor. Skills practice the the memory of saying it out loud.MorePractice all the motor. Skills practice the the memory of saying it out loud.

Can you be a bartender who doesn't drink?

Drinking isn't a requirement for bartenders. You can work as one and may have no desire for alcohol. Bar owners search for a worker who possesses a professional demeanor and good ethics; can mix drinks; guard the establishment's interests; and provide great customer service.

What is the highest paid bartender?

How Much Does a Bartender Make? Bartenders made a median salary of $24,960 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $32,130 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $19,620.

How do I get good at bartending fast?

1. Stay Organized. Just like any job, the key to flying fast behind the bar is keeping a neat and tidy workstation. Make sure that all bottles are filled and garnishes are stocked before a shift and that every tool you'll need is in reach, particularly components of top-selling cocktails.

How do bartenders get good tips?

6 Simple Steps for Bartenders to Make Bigger TipsGreet Your Guest. ... Read the Situation. ... Anticipate. ... Create the Right Environment. ... Work as a Team. ... Don't Think About the Tip.

How Do I Master These Cocktails?

I created a free cocktail cheat sheet that you can use and refer to whenever you need to make one of these cocktails. The cheat sheet contains the 25 essential cocktails distilled into an easy to read/follow format.

When were bartenders invented?

Some of them were created in the 1800’s and even more are being thought up today by creative bartenders. If you really wanted to, you could spend years poring over cocktail books and practicing bartending techniques in an attempt to master them all.

What is the drink at Harry's Bar?

2) Bellini. The Bellini cocktail is a sophisticated Italian drink that was created at Harry’s Bar in Venice in 1948 by head bartender & owner, Harry Cipriani. To this day, people still travel to Venice to drink Bellini’s at Harry’s Bar, despite the change of ownership.

Why do you need to change the ingredients in a cocktail?

Because the majority of cocktails use very similar techniques and formulas. That means when you come across a new recipe, all you’ll need to do is switch the ingredients and change some of the proportions. It’s unlikely that you’ll need to learn any new techniques.

What is the most popular cocktail of the modern era?

The rise of the espresso machine has given birth to one of the most popular cocktails of the modern era, the Espresso Martini. As far as I’m aware, it hasn’t been around for that long. But it has quickly become one of the most commonly consumed cocktails in the world today.

What is a rum sour?

It’s essentially a ‘rum sour’ that’s made with lime juice and because rum is more open to mixing with other ingredients than whiskey is, it’s a great cocktail to play around with. You can throw in fruits, syrups, and other liqueurs to mix it up and give the daiquiri a completely different flavor profile.

Who created the Cosmo cocktail?

Although no-one knows who or exactly when the Cosmo cocktail was created, it was championed by bartender & ‘King Cocktail,’ Dale DeGroff in the late 80s & early 90s. Once Madonna & the hit T.V. series ‘Sex & the City’ caught wind of it, the cocktail exploded.

What is the best cocktail to serve with gin and vermouth?

1. Martini . A classic martini is a thing of beauty. Dry, chilled, and aromatic, it uses just two ingredients, gin and vermouth (plus ice and garnish ). Once you've mastered the classic version, you can try simple variations, such as a vodka martini or a dirty martini. 2.

What kind of liquor is in Long Island Iced Tea?

Long Island Iced Tea has been around for a while because it packs such a powerful boozy wallop with five different types of liquor including gin, vodka, rum, tequila, and triple sec or Cointreau.

What is a classic gin and tonic?

Simple, refreshing, and lightly bitter, a classic gin and tonic combines two ounces of aromatic dry gin with four ounces of tonic water and a squeeze of lime juice. It's a great, fizzy summer cocktail, and you can easily vary it with a squeeze of another citrus juice (grapefruit is tasty) or by experimenting with gins that have different aromatic profiles.

How much tonic water to add to gin?

Simple, refreshing, and lightly bitter, a classic gin and tonic combines two ounces of aromatic dry gin with four ounces of tonic water and a squeeze of lime juice. It's a great, fizzy summer cocktail, and you can easily vary it with a squeeze of another citrus juice (grapefruit is tasty) or by experimenting with gins that have different aromatic profiles.

What is angostura bitters?

It's a supremely balanced drink with deep and complex flavors. Once you have the classic mastered, you can start to experiment with some fantastic new ingredients, such as a maple bourbon or flavored bitters such as orange, chocolate, or cardamom, to create new, exciting flavor profiles.

What is a classic margarita?

The classic version is made with lime juice, triple sec or Cointreau, and tequila on the rocks in a salt-rimmed glass. Master the classic before you expand to blended margaritas or fruit flavored versions like a strawberry margarita. 11. Daiquiri.

Where was the Sazerac cocktail invented?

The sazerac cocktail was invented in New Orleans, and it remains a popular cocktail, particularly in the United States. It's a unique blend of rye, bitters, and other aromatic ingredients.

What is a well made cocktail?

A well-made cocktail can be the cherry on top of a great event — something people enjoy and remember. And while the list of popular libations is ever-evolving and growing, there are a handful that every good drink-slinger should know by heart. While there’s generally no singular iteration of a given cocktail, these recipes can serve as building ...

How to make a rum cocktail with a shot of simple syrup?

2 teaspoons of granulated white sugar or 1/2 shot simple syrup. A dash of club soda. Serve in a highball or Collins glass. Muddle lime wedges and sugar in the glass until the sugar is dissolved or until well-mixed with simple syrup. Add rum and mint leaves.

What goes well with margaritas?

Whether you prefer the rim salted or unsalted, or like your ice whole or crushed, there’s no arguing that the margaritas go best with a side of tortilla chips, salsa, and a hefty scoop of guac.

Is boozy tea good for lightweights?

This one isn’t for the lightweights. However, whether on vacation or simply looking for a singular cocktail to offer a hefty buzz, this boozy “tea” will get the job done.

Is there a singular iteration of a cocktail?

While there’s generally no singular iteration of a given cocktail, these recipes can serve as building blocks that you can update, modify, and make your own as you hone your skills. We’ll leave the fancy shaker techniques and bottle juggling tricks up to you. The Aperol Spritz.

Why do bartenders use tips?

There are very good reasons why bartenders use certain tips and tricks and why they pay attention to particular aspects of mixing drinks. The theory of the bar is filled with seemingly random advice but it all serves the purpose of making every drink just a little bit better.

How to mix a drink like a professional?

Each will require some practice, but they are relatively easy to master. Roll a Drink: Mix a drink by "tossing" it from one vessel to another.

Why are liqueurs important?

Liqueurs are just as vital to a well-stocked bar because these distilled spirits give drinks flavor. Liqueurs come in almost every flavor imaginable, from sweetened fruits and chocolate or coffee to snappy spices and proprietary blends, like Bénédictine and Chartreuse, that are truly unique.

How to build a drink?

How to "Build" Drinks: Many of the easiest drinks (think of the vodka tonic) are "built" directly in the glass they're served in. This is the simplest bartending technique and you've probably been doing it for years. To "Top" a Drink: Quite often, a recipe will say, "top it off with soda.".

What is a mixed drink?

A mixed drink is any beverage that combines two or more ingredients. These drinks are often simply poured over ice, for example, a John Collins or a Rum and Coke .

What is a garnish in a drink?

For instance, your "splash of soda" may be more than your "splash of lime juice.". Garnish: Often a fruit such as a cherry or an orange slice, a garnish is used to adorn a drink and add to its visual appeal. Some garnishes also bring in hints of flavor.

What is a mixer in a cocktail?

As you explore cocktail recipes, you will encounter these terms quite often. Mixers: Any ingredient—often nonalcoholic—that is added to a mixed drink. For example, syrups, fruit juices, bitters, sodas, etc. are all considered mixers.

What do you need to know to be a good bartender?

Here are a few bartending tips and essential bartending skills you need to be successful behind the bar: Good eye contact: Catching and holding someone’s gaze isn’t always easy, especially when you’re speaking to a stranger. That said, eye contact is an essential part of good customer service when behind the bar.

How to learn bartending?

The best of the best embrace new challenges and further their learning by reading books, practicing and picking up more shifts at the pub.#N#Consider purchasing a few bartending books for beginners, like “The Bartender’s Bible,” “The Everything Bartender’s Book” and others that might come in handy as you expand your knowledge.#N#Most importantly, don’t be afraid to try new ingredients, recipes and techniques. You might just create the next great classic while you’re experimenting with different flavors and aromas.

How much does a bartender make an hour?

Rather, most take some time to read up on what this career is like, including the advantages and disadvantages that come along with it. One of the biggest benefits of becoming a bartender is the salary, especially if your current wage is $11 an hour or less. In the U.S., bartenders make about $11.54 per hour plus tips.

How to read up on alcohol?

Begin by reading up on the six base liquors — brandy, rum, tequila, gin, whiskey and vodka. Research the history behind each alcohol and try to have a basic understanding of which drinks require each one. Then, you can begin studying sub-categories within each type.

What happens if you don't have the humility and strength to be a bartender?

Friendliness: If you don’t have the humility and strength it takes to be overly friendly 100% of the time, becoming a bartender will be a painful transition. You’ll serve rude customers and those who don’t care about how busy you are. Still, you’ll have to assist them with a smile.

Why is it important to be a witty bartender?

Customers enjoy having a witty bartender because it adds to the laid-back atmosphere they’ve come to enjoy. If you make them laugh, odds are they’ll return, ask for you again and likely tip you well.

What happens if you leave a bar?

If you leave within a year of bartending, the word will get out and you’ll be known as flighty.