Bartending Class
Posted on : 22-03-2009 | By : Lindsey Mastis | In : Adventures, Featured
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Patrick, Rob and I went to a three-hour bartending class today at the Professional Bartending School in Arlington, Virginia. We went with the Things To Do DC group. Our instructor, Tim, taught us about the history of Highball Drinks (how it started in the 1800s with the railroad), how to mix properly, how to garnish drinks, and how to pour (which is a fun science).
I have to admit… I’m a novice to this. The entire process of making a drink has always been a mystery to me, and anytime I’ve tried to make one on my own, it gets poured out immediately (it just tastes awful!) So this is my chance to learn. The only problem– we were learning with water and food dye. There was no way to taste and make sure we made the drinks properly. Even so, it was great practice. I’m actually comfortable behind the bar! (At least when there’s no alcohol or drunks!)
The best piece of advice I got was the four-second rule. There’s an ounce of liquor poured into each drink, and you can usually get the proper amount by turning the bottle completely upside down and counting 1… 2… 3… 4.
Tips and Tricks
Highball Drinks:
-Fill a highball glass with ice
-Pour one ounce of liquor (by tipping the bottle upside down and counting to four)
-Fill with mix
-Put on some garnish
Popular Highballers: Rum and Coke, Cape Codder (which I’ve never tried), Bay Breeze, Woo Woo (the first I’ve heard of this), and Tequila Sunrise (my first drink ever!)
Rocks (Liquor/Liqueur) Drinks:
-Always prepare these on the rocks, unless “straight up”
-Mix in a Mixing Cup with Ice
-Pour into a cocktail Glass
Popular Rocks: Black Russian (Yuck!), Rusty Nail, Vodka Gimlet, Kamikaze Cocktail (very, very good)
Sour Mix Drinks:
-Base ingredient in all sours is Sour Mix
-Use a mixing glass and add ice
-Talls have soda added
-Serve in tall glasses
-Almost always include a garnish
Popular Sours: Tom Collins (I’ve never tried), Margarita, Whiskey Sour, Blue Hawaiian
Martinis and Manhattans
-Always ask someone how they want their drink
-Always pour Vermouth first, then liquor, and stir with a long bar spoon.
Popular Martinis and Manhattans: Vodka Martini (including the James Bond– Shaken, not Stirred!) Manhattan, Cosmopolitan (for us Sex and the City fans), and Sour Apple Martini
Shooters
-Add Ice to Mixing Cup
-Add Ingredients
-Swirl, Strain and Pour.
-Nothing fancy… these are fast drinks
Popular Shooters: Um… well… these all have nasty names, so I can’t repeat them. Sorry!
Popularity: 43% [?]
Hah! good for you. I see you’re busy, getting married (congrats) and have had plenty to do since you took that class. Glad it helped a wee bit.
My only advice on those pours is that it is a fast 4 count (for an ounce) 1,2,3, 4. Not 1 mississippi 2, mississippi, etc. Otherwise that drink turns way to strong
Tequila sunrises. hmmmm they are tasty and pretty. Keep it up.
Yes– I have made drinks since then. The class helped boost my confidence. Even if I don’t know how to make a drink, I feel comfortable looking up the recipe and knowing what to do next. I have to admit– I make the Tequila Sunrise the most.
Lindsey: Obviously this is a year later, and I’m from the bartending school, but since that little class have you made drinks since then, and are they better than before?
[...] dance. This is the second event I’ve attended through Things To Do DC. (The first is the bartending event). There must have been about 150 people who came. My favorite memories of the [...]