Author: Peter Cutforth

  • Colour Your World with two multi-coloured and extravagant shot recipes

    Multicoloured shots are attractive and fun. They combine many different flavours and vibrant colours and are sure to be real eye catchers.

    Rainbow Shot

    Ingredients:

    Grape Schnapps
    Watermelon Schnapps
    Burnetts Orange Cream Vodka
    Crème de Banane
    Midori
    Island Punch Schnapps

    Layer in shooter. Serve
     
    Banana-Berry Split

    Ingredients:

    1 ½  shot Strawberry Schnapps
    1 ½  shot Crème de Banane
    1 shot of rum
    1 ½ scoops of ice

    Blend half the ice, ½  shot rum, and Strawberry Schnapps and put in a tall glass. Blend remaining ingredients and spoon onto top of pink mixture. Serve garnished with orange wheel.
    Also check out this video on how to make a banana split alcoholic drink!

  • 5 Useful Links for Your Bar Tending

    Standard Drink Levels – Keeping your customers safe

    http://www.mac.sa.gov.au/drink_driving/what_is_a_standard_drink

    Different types of extravagant drink make ups:

    http://analyticsuperiority.com/archives/6

    How to make your bartending different and better than others:

    http://www.ehow.com/how_2199035_be-good-bartender.html

    Where to go when practicing your bar tending tricks

    http://www.alltheflair.com/flair_videos/flair_bartending_videos/videos.php?flairing=5&find=tricks

    And finally, to see what the RSA Online course will train you to do:

    http://www.rsacourseonline.com.au/course-details/

  • Change: Getting it right, every time

    It sounds simple. People do it everyday. But giving change to people who have been drinking can sometimes spark a debate. You never know when a customer will become confused about  prices, the amount they gave you or the amount you gave back. Here are a few tips to help keep it straight.

    Always repeat the amount that you were handed. If a customer gave you a ten, state the amount that you are charging out of ten. This way, not only you and the customer know the amount of the transaction, but there will be witnesses. If the customer disputes that they gave you a lesser amount, it won’t be his word against yours.

    Keep the money in hand. Fold it lengthwise and wrap it around the inside of your middle finger with the ends sticking out the outside of your hand (this is an old cocktail waitress trick). Pull the change from the register, count it back and ask the customer if the amount is correct. If they argue and say that they gave you a bigger bill, you can show them exactly what they gave you. Then put the bill in the register.

    Don’t take offense to a customer accusing you of trying to rip them off. They have been drinking and may be intoxicated. If you always cover your own back, you can prove that you are honest and there will be no doubt as to who’s mistake the incident was.

    Dealing with customers and giving the correct change is all part of the RSA training Australia online course. Taking this course will allow you to work in a bar and keep your customers satisfied with their service.

     

  • Drinks: Cosmopolitans

    Cosmopolitans, also known as Cosmos, are a popular drink ordered at bars. They are served in a martini glass, usually with a lime or lime peel garnish.

    Ice down your martini glass so that is it chilled when you pour the Cosmo into it. In a shaker filled with ice mix 1.5 oz (44.4 ml) of an orange flavored vodka with 1.5 oz (44.4 ml) of triple sec or cointreau (these are orange flavored liquors, the latter is considered top self and usually costs more). Add about 2 oz (59 ml) of cranberry juice, and a splash of limejuice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime or lime peel.

     

    Don’t forget, you can serve and create these amazing cocktail creations as part of your work, if you complete the quick and succinct online RSA training course!

     

    Perfect for a girls night out!

     

  • Pouring a beer that customers will appreciate!

    It is important that you are able to keep customer coming back, and beer is the third most popular drink overall (after water and tea), so it is important you serve it correctly and not flat. Watch these two videos to learn the correct pouring technique and see it in action!

    See correct pouring in action at oktoberfest 2010!

    To be able to pour beer in a bar, apply for a responsible service of alcohol online course today, it’s quick and easy!

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol Training – The Cut off Point

    There comes a time in every bartender’s career when you will have to cut a patron off because they have had too much to drink, and knowing when to ‘cut someone off’ is one of the things that the Responsible Service of Alcohol teaches you. You will have many reasons for doing this; first they can become a danger to themselves or others if allowed to leave while intoxicated. They can also become disruptive or belligerent and make other customers at the bar or you uncomfortable. The smartest thing you can do is to draw the line before they become too drunk to manage or function.

    Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) teaches you what body language to look out for

    You will notice changes in the persons behavior that will clue you in to how intoxicated they are becoming. Responsible Service of Alcohol trains you to listen for slurring in their speech when they order drinks or as they are talking to friends. Watch for glassy, unfocused eyes, and for uncoordinated walking, slumping, or any other movement that seems off balance. Pay attention to how they are interacting with others, if you are aware, you can avoid unnecessary fights. Another helpful service that will assist with your responsible service of alcohol is hiring RSA security for your next party or event. When you cut a patron off, there are several steps you can take. First begin early on, start serving them less liquor if they are drinking mixed drinks.

    Take longer to serve them between drinks, it will force them to drink slower and consume less. The Responsible Service of Alcohol training teaches you that, if they start showing signs of intoxication like the ones listed above, tell them that you no longer feel comfortable serving them. Explain that you feel they are becoming to drunk and you are concerned about their safety. Do not let them argue with you or try to persuade you that they are still sober. You are the bartender and you know best; trust your gut. Even if they aren’t feeling the alcohol at the moment, it could hit in five to ten minutes.

    Do not let anyone leave the bar if you feel they are incapable of driving home safely. By completing a Responsible Service of Alcohol training, you will know when to enlist in the help of a bouncer, or the person’s friends. Serve the patron water and allow them to sit with you until you feel they can safely leave, and follow you’re establishments guidelines on how to manage these patrons, so that they get home safely and do leave you liable for any accidents or issues.

    Every once in awhile, you may find yourself turning away a customer because they come into your bar already intoxicated. Remember you are not obligated to serve any person that you feel is already drunk. In most places allowing a person who has too much to drink to leave, can cause you or the bar to be liable for any accidents that can ensue.

    Complete your Responsible Service of Alcohol training today so that you can know how to send someone home safely from your bar. It only takes a few short hours to become fully certified as seen below.

  • 5 Awesome Chocolate Cocktails

    Some days, a beer hits the spot. Other days, tequila does the trick. But some days, only chocolate will do. Ask almost any women and she will tell you, chocolate is never a bad idea. Whether its creamy and you sip it through a straw, or its short and sweet, a chocolate drink recipe is a must have.

    Choca-Mochatini

    Ingredients:
    1 oz McCormick Chocolate Vodka
    ½ oz Kahlua
    ½ oz coffee, brewed or 2.5g instant coffee
    5g (1 tsp) cocoa powder
    10ml (2 tsp) simple syrup
    dash of salt
    ½ – ¾ scoop of ice

    Prep martini glass by rimming with half and half sugar and salt mixture.

    Combine all ingredients in blender (if using instant coffee, add everything but ice and pulse to dissolve coffee, than add ice). Blend until thoroughly mixed and tiny bubbles form. Garnish with whipped cream, chocolate shavings or a dash of cocoa powder.

    Chocolate Cake Surprise

    Ingredients:
    ½ oz Absolut Citron
    ½ oz Frangelico
    1 sugared lemon wedge

    Combine alcohol in shot glass, Serve lemon wedge first, then shot. This odd combination tastes like chocolate cake.

    Almond Joy

    Ingredients:
    1 part Amaretto
    1 part Parrot Bay
    1 part McCormick Chocolate Vodka

    Combine all three in shot glass.

    Toffee Shot

    Ingredients:
    1 part Bailey’s Irish Creme
    1 part Buttershots (butterscotch schnapps)
    1 part McCormick Chocolate Vodka

    Combine all three in shot glass.

     

    Wonka Coffee
    Ingredients:
    1 mug of coffee
    1 shot McCormick Chocolate Vodka
    1 shot Bailey’s Irish Cream
    1 shot Pinnacle Whipped Vodka
    whipped cream (optional)
    splash of milk (optional)
    Combine in mug, top with whipped cream (optional), serve piping hot.

     

    To find out about working in a cocktail bar and Responsible service of alcohol visit the online RSA course

  • Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Bar Atmosphere

    Career barman Reese Richards shows you the finer points of bartending and improving your  overall bar atmosphere

    To work in an Australian bar and improve it’s atmosphere, you need to complete a responsible service of alcohol course

  • Time Management In A Hectic Bar

    Management of time comes easily to some, but for most of us,there never seems to be enough time. Mundane tasks such as cleaning and restocking leach precious time out of our, already, hectic work day. It never fails that a customer will demand your attention when you are really busy. You may find yourself slammed, barely able to keep up and the customer keeps waving you over to engage you in conversation. Being rude is not an option as this is a paying customer. How should you handle this situation?

    First, be honest. The best way to get someone to understand your situation is to tell them, point blank, that you are too busy to chit chat. Let them know that if you have a free moment, you will finish the conversation later. If they are just looking for validation or conversation, enlist the nearest customer for help. You might say “I don’t know what to tell you, let’s ask So and So” invite the other to participate in the conversation, then nonchalantly walk away. For most patrons, this will suffice, but there are few people that will keep bugging you. Being rude and hurting the customer’s feelings is seldom a wise choice. As you well know, hurt feelings and alcohol do not mix well.

    Just keep explaining that you have a lot of work to do, even though it may not look like it or seem that there would be. If it gets really difficult then find out what the bar rules are about talking to customers. Does the owner allow this, encourage or discourage it. If you know the bar policy, then you can tell the customer the bar policy about talking to customers.

    Keep in mind, that an overly talkative customer can, also, mean an over-served customer. Do you know the rules regarding refusing service. Do you have an up to date and Responsible service of alcohol certificate. If not see the RSA online course

  • 5 Great Sangria Recipes

    Sangria has been a crowd-pleaser for many, many years; so we found these 5 great sangria recipes for you to try. For your next theme party or big event, why not expand your drink knowledge. If you work in a bar and need your RSA certificate,  these five juicy recipes make great drink specials. Plus, you can make them in bulk. They don’t necessarily need to be marinated, but it does help to develop the flavor. Remember that the carbonated ingredients should only be added right before serving or they will go flat.

    5 Great Sangria Recipes

    Basic Sangria

    Ingredients:
    1 litre dry red wine
    75ml ( ⅓ cup) triple sec
    75ml ( ⅓ cup) brandy
    225ml (1 cup) orange juice
    1 orange, sliced
    1 lime, sliced
    1 lemon, sliced
    Fresh fruit garnish

    Squeeze fruit slices over pitcher and combine all ingredients in pitcher, allow to marinate, covered overnight. Serve in Collins or wine glass over ice, garnish with fruit slice. This is only one of many great sangria recipes out there.

    Fruity Sangria

    Ingredients:
    1 litre Lambrusco
    75ml (1/3 cup) triple sec
    75ml (approx ⅓ cup) peach schnapps
    75ml (approx ⅓ cup) blackberry brandy
    225ml (1 cup) grape, pineapple or orange juice
    1 Blood orange, sliced
    10  Key limes, sliced
    1 lemon, sliced
    ½ fresh pineapple, quartered and sliced
    Fresh fruit garnish
    Maraschino cherries

    Squeeze fruit over pitcher and marinate fruit overnight, in everything but wine. Add wine before serving over ice in Collins or deep wine glass, garnish with plank of fresh pineapple, slice of lime, Maraschino cherry and umbrella skewer. Try your own mix of sangria recipes to put a personal ‘spin’ on your drink.

    Mimosa Sangria

    Ingredients:
    ½ litre sparkling white or blush wine
    118ml ( ½ cup) Cointreau
    118ml ( ½ cup) Mr. Boston’s Apricot Flavoured Brand
    450ml (2cups) orange juice
    225ml (1cup) tonic or lemon lime soda
    1 lemon, quartered and sliced
    1 orange, quartered and sliced
    1 pink grapefruit, quartered and sliced
    Fresh fruit garnish, quartered and sliced

    Squeeze fruit slices over pitcher, combine Cointreau, brandy and juice, add squeezed fruit slices, and marinate overnight in covered pitcher. Before serving, add sparkling wine and tonic or soda. Serve in champagne flute, garnished with ¼ grapefruit and orange slices. Try mixing ingredients from different sangria recipes to optimize your favorite drink.

    Very Berry Sangria

    Ingredients:
    1 litre Tempranillo
    75ml Grand Marnier
    75ml (approx ⅓ cup) blueberry schnapps
    75ml (approx ⅓ cup) raspberry schnapps
    75ml (approx ⅓ cup) cherry brandy
    450ml (1 pint or 2 cups) cranberry juice
    1 blood Orange, sliced
    225ml (approx 1 cup) fresh strawberries
    Fresh fruit for garnish
    Lemon twist garnish

    Squeeze orange slices and combine all ingredients, marinate overnight. Serve over ice in Collins glass or deep wine glass. Garnish with Blood orange slice, strawberry and lemon twist.You can serve each of these sangria recipes in any glass you like to personalize the experience.

    White Sangria

    Ingredients:
    1 litre of white Chardonnay
    150ml Cointreau
    150ml Remy Martin V Clear Brandy
    350ml (roughly 1 ½ cups) white grape juice
    75ml (1/3 cup) white grapefruit juice
    75ml (1/3 cup) simple syrup
    1 lemon, sliced
    2 Hamlin oranges, sliced (can be substituted, but this species is low in pigmentation, hence, White Sangria)
    Fresh fruit or twist garnish

    Squeeze fruit slices over pitcher, combine all ingredients and marinate overnight. Serve over ice in wine glass. Garnish minimally. Don’t limit you’re taste to only one of these great sangria recipes, try them all at least once.

    To learn more about how you could work in a bar in Australia serving these drinks please visit the Responsible service of alcohol online course

    I hope you enjoyed making these 5 great sangria recipes