Bartendering guide, Training, and Supplies
Whether they’re serving our favorite cocktail or handing out friendly advice, bartenders have become an important part in our social web. They have even infiltrated pop culture – from Tom Cruise’s portrayal in Cocktails to the television show, Cheers, which largely took place in a bar. Today, many people consider their favorite bartenders akin to their doctors; personalized professionals with a knack for making the customer feel comfortable.
The bartender’s job is to serve beverages behind the bar. This may sound like a relatively easy job, but each server has to remember thousands of recipes to a list of drinks that continues to grow. Servers are also responsible for keeping all the liquors well-stocked and checking IDs of potentially underage people. Add that to dealing with demanding customers while keeping regulars happy (successful bartenders have a regular clientele) – doesn’t sound too easy, does it?
Some states require a certification before anyone can be hired to serve drinks, which usually requires some education. There are plenty of bartending schools offered nationwide, but more people have chosen to take online courses to get their certification in mixology. Online courses offer the flexibility for burgeoning bartenders to learn the skill on their own time, plus video clips of real classroom lessons. If enrolling in online courses, make sure they’re from a reputable organization that’s endorsed by the IBA (International Bartenders Association). Certification from these schools is recognized nationwide and never expires. Some people may want to seek further education to learn flair bartending, where servers engage in trick-pouring, a la Cocktails. Since flair bartending is a specialized skill, these bartenders generally get paid more.
Even though the list of specialty cocktails seems to grow every day, the IBA has an official list of beverages that each bartender should know how to make. For example, their subdivision of “long drinks” (drinks with a large volume/5-9 oz.) includes: bellini, Bloody Mary, bull shot, gin fizz, Harvey Wallbanger, horse's neck, Irish coffee, mimosa, planter's punch, piña colada, screwdriver, Singapore sling, tequila sunrise, and Tom Collins.
There are many good online guides that give good recipes for drinks and valuable tips on mixing drinks to keep picky customers happy. For instance, when making a drink containing eggs, fruit juices or cream, it’s important to use a shaker that will simultaneously freeze the ingredients–this will chill the drink while breaking down/combining the ingredients.
It’s no question that alcohol is an important part of a successful bar, but there many other bartending supplies just as important. These additional supplies not only have practical purposes, but they’re often stylish enough to compliment the overall exterior of the bar. Liquor dispensers, glasses/mugs, shakers, wine/bottle openers and trays are examples of these auxiliary supplies.
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