Some think bartending is limited to serving and pouring alcoholic beverages and liquors inside the bar. Unfortunately, this is the common perception for those individuals who need to be made aware of the actual job description of a bartender.
So, what is bartending really about? Primarily, bartending is a profession among people who are knowledgeable and easily trained to know the different liquors and mixed drinks they serve.
Bartenders need to understand and acquire basic bartending techniques.
7 Basic Bartending Techniques Producing the finest cocktails can be easy or creative, depending on the taste and imagination of the bartender. In addition, creating their mixes can show others how they aim to improve their skills. Thus, every bartender must be able to know the basic bartending skills, and these are the following:
1. Shaking and Straining – The first skill that a bartender needs to learn and acquire is shaking. Shaking is a technique which is used to combine two or more ingredients with the use of cocktail shakers. Afterwards, the mix must be chilled when serving. A cocktail shaker is a bartending tool that almost tends to freeze the drink while combining and shaking the glasses inside the shaker. On the other hand, straining is done after shaking the mixed drinks. A strainer prevents solid ingredients like peppermint and fruit from being included in the cocktail.
2. Stirring – This is another essential skill of every bartender. It is commonly done when serving distilled spirit cocktails that include Manhattans and Martinis. Although stirring can be done by almost everyone, bartenders must know the proper stirring method before serving any drink that requires mixing.
3. Pouring – People can quickly pour their drinks on their own. However, pouring in bartending requires proper practice because they must be able to pour faster and simultaneously count the measurements or amount at the same speed needed to serve the ordered drinks or mixed drinks immediately. This technique is used to avoid delays, particularly during peak hours.
4. Blending – There are specific drinks that need to be blended. A bartender must acquire proper blending skills and the appropriate timing of whether the glasses are ready to be served. Integrating into bartending is the right way to combine ingredients consisting of liquor and fruits to create a ready-to-drink smooth mixture.
5. Flaming – One of the many responsibilities of being a bartender is to harness the skill of flaming drinks. Some liquors have high alcohol levels and can be ignited. A bartender must know the “do’s and don’ts” in flaming a drink before serving. Before flaming the liquor drink, they are responsible for protecting the area from danger and guaranteeing that no particular object or person will be harmed during the procedure.
6. Chilling Glasses or Frosting – A bartender must have basic skills. The bartender must be able to prepare frosted glasses needed in some simple and mixed drinks preparation. The lack of the ability to frost a glass properly can be dangerous to the bartender and the customer as well. Thus, even beginners in bartending must be able to know the proper procedure for frosting glasses.
7. Floating – It is also called layering mixed drinks or liquors. Every bartender must be knowledgeable to perform floating or layering without mixing the liquors on a glass. This skill may be difficult for some individuals, but it is included in the basic bartending skills.
Being a bartender is not just limited to pouring and serving drinks. Actual bartenders are those people who are knowledgeable and well-equipped when it comes to essential bartending skills.
