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Tag: Bartenders

  • Take Your Cocktails to The Next Level without Diluting

    If you’ve evolved from a bartender to a mixologist, the regular cocktails probably just wont cut it to impress your patrons, so here’s a cool video that could help you to maximise flavour in your cocktails without diluting them.

     

  • What it Means to Be a Women in Hospitality The Focus of Round Table Series

    A new series of round table discussions were launched earlier this month by Women in Hospitality, covering a range of issues from immigration laws to what being a female bartender means.

    The series began on 5 November at Bloodwood in Newtown with a discussion led by chef and owner Clare Van Vuuren.

    It also included advice from bartenders Jemima MacDonald and Elle Charalamb from Earl’s Juke Joint around a banquet style meal.

    Organisers say it is hoped the event will start the discussion for business owners, office managers and recruiters.

    See more at https://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/women-in-hospitality-launch-round-table-series/

  • Insane and Amazing Melbourne Cocktails

    Melbourne is one of the best cities to live in and features consistently on the list of the world’s most liveable cities. There’s another reason to love living in Melbourne, one you can enjoy even if you’re just visiting, the enviable bar and restaurant scene.

    Melbourne’s bars and restaurants are legendary and it seems bartenders and mixologists are constantly trying to outdo each other when it comes to their creations.

    A recent article on TheWeeklyReview.com.au featured some of the best, unmissable bars and cocktails around Melbourne.

    Read about these marvelous creations at http://www.theweeklyreview.com.au/drink/crazy-melbourne-cocktails-you-need-to-try/

  • RSA Update: Quick Tips for Bartenders on Reducing Alcohol Related Harm

    Bartenders and serving staff of licenced venues have a role to play in reducing alcohol induced violence and harm. This is one of the reasons why authorities made Responsible Service of Alcohol training mandatory for all workers in the alcohol sales and service industry.

    There is no doubt that alcohol fuelled harm in Oz especially in entertainment districts has gotten out of hand, but there are some practical tips that bartenders and other workers in licenced venues can adopt to prevent contributing to alcohol fuelled harm.

    • Do not serve alcohol to minors. They are not responsible enough or physically developed enough to handle their liquor. They also have less self-control and restraint and therefore are more likely to abuse alcohol and binge drink, resulting in harm to themselves and possibly others.
    • Do not serve alcohol to anyone who you suspect is or is displaying signs that they may be unduly intoxicated. This is one of the biggest problems contributing to alcohol problems in Oz at the moment.
    • Do not serve the same person too many drinks, even if they do not display signs of physical intoxication. Keep track of how many drinks you serve each person.
    • Be aware of any new restrictions that may have been implemented in your district and adhere to them. For example Byrons Bay has recently introduced a number of measures to combat alcohol fuelled violence in the district such as a 1.30am lockout, refusal of entry to any person seen drinking within 50 metres of a venue and restrictions on takeaway sales after a set time. Learn the new rules and stick to them.

     

  • Bartenders Tips: How to Frost Drinking Glasses

    Bartenders, one of the basic tricks of bartending includes not only knowing which glasses to use for which drinks but also how to serve drinks to maximize a customer’s enjoyment. One such tip that bartenders (and home entertainers) should know is glass frosting.  Many people enjoy drinking beer or other cocktails from a frosted mug or glass and it is a fairly simple procedure that can be done in any of the following ways:

     

    • You could rinse the glass or beer mug with cold water and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes. When you remove the glass it will have a frosty coating.

     

    • Place the glass/beer mug in an ice bucket and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes before removing and pouring the drink in.

     

    • Fill the glass with ice and water and stir both around for a few minutes allowing the glass to frost.

     

    Another exciting option is a sugar-frosted glass. Pre-chill the glass by storing it in a freezer, then remove the frosted glass. Then rub the rim of the glass with lemon or lime and dip the rim in sugar. The result will be a refreshingly cold

     

  • The Key to Fiery Cocktails


    With all the talk these days about bartenders need for innovation and creativity, we are always looking for new ways to enjoy our alcohol. But for those of us who aren’t experienced enough to attempt flair bartender or don’t have the skill to create our own cocktails, there are a faithful few fiery, hot cocktails that have been providing drinkers with a savoury, yet refreshing kick.

    Many swear by spicy cocktails like the Bloody Mary to cure a hangover, perfect after a night of over indulgence.

    Spicy cocktails are interesting because they are as spicy as a meal and as refreshing as any other drink, so they can satisfy a number of cravings at once. However bartenders warn that there is a trick to balancing the flavours in a spicy cocktail. But the contrast of flavours is rewarding and cannot be matched.

    Because most spicy cocktails consist of hot sauce,jalapenos, habaneros or peppers, which vary in taste and heat, its best to start off with a small amount and then work your way up the heat ladder. Everyone’s preferences and tolerances for heat are different, so it would probably be a good idea to get an indication of a person’s preference before making them the drink or warning them beforehand if it’s going to really knock their socks off with heat.

    Spicy cocktails differ from food in that fiery foods can be recovered from quite quickly after drinking milk or a glass of water. However alcohol tends to intensify the heat of a spicy cocktail. That is why balance is key.

    Especially if you have never tried fiery drinks before, it’s best to stick to the old favourites before becoming creative. Start with a Bloody Mary, which is both easy and a tried and tested favourite. The best part is that it is perfect for a brunch or mid-morning drink. The tomato flavour is both refreshing and tasty and you can control how mild or spicy you want it. This is how it’s generally made:

    Bloody Mary Ingredients:

    • 3 oz tomato juice
    • 1 1/2 oz vodka
    • 1/2 oz lemon juice
    • 1 dash of Worcestershire sauce
    • ground pepper
    • salt
    • hot pepper sauce to taste
    • celery stalk and/or pickle spear for garnish
    • lemon /lime wedge for garnish

    Preparation:

    1. Add all the liquid ingredients into a highball glass over ice cubes.

    2.Mix well.

    3.Add the seasonings (ground pepper and salt) to taste.

    4.Garnish with the lemon and/or lime wedge and the traditional celery stalk.

    The very hot cocktails most often include the use of peppers or hot sauce but some not so spicy options tend to use black or cayenne pepper instead to accent the spicy flavour but not overwhelm the drink. Some alcohol producers have also jumped on the bandwagon by producing pepper and chilli infused alcohol such as jalapeno tequila. Wasabi is also becoming more widely used in making cocktails in trendy bars around the world.

    Here we have included 2 less known but equally delicious cocktails that you can use to test your ability to make spicy cocktails.
    The Big Breezy.

    This drink was apparently created to be made with Absolut New Orleans vodka. It’s a martini that compliments the flavours of the mango- and black pepper- infused vodka and has a slight watermelon taste.

    Ingredients:

    • 2 parts Absolut New Orleans vodka
    • 4 chunks fresh watermelon
    • 1 part simple syrup
    • squeeze of fresh lemon
    • pinch of black pepper
    • lemon slice for garnish

    Preparation:

    1.Place all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

    2.Shake well.

    3.Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

    4.Garnish with a melon ball and lemon slice.
    The Bull Shot.
    Although this drink is not for everyone, it’s worth a try, especially if you want to show your creativity.

    You can use the sauce and spices to adapt the drink to a person’s preference. This drink has been served warm as well, similar to a cup of soup on a cold day.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 1/2 oz vodka
    • 3 oz chilled beef bouillon
    • dash of Worchestershire, Tabasco, salt and pepper to taste
    • celery salt (optional)

    Preparation:

    1.Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice(if serving it cold).

    2.Shake well.

    3.Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.