Bartending — help for new and professional bartenders alike « Bartending

How To: Order drinks like a bartender

If you get looks of exasperation whenever you stammer out a drink order, take this crash course in bar-speak.

How To: Dress up your garnish limes with beautiful designs in the peel

Part of being a good bartender is creating visual appeal for your drinks. This tutorial shows you how to use a zester to scratch appealing designs into the skin of your lime. Turn it into a pattern, or just be random. Dress up your garnish limes with beautiful designs in the peel.

How To: Correctly use ice in your home mixed cocktails

If the ice melts quickly, it will dilute the liquor and flavors in your mixed drink. And some drinks are best poured over ice cubes, while others are ideally served with crushed ice. Here's how to use ice to the best effect, no matter what drink you are making. Correctly use ice in your home mixed cocktails.

How To: Use bitters correctly in your home bartending and cocktails

A splash of bitters can go a long way, and all sorts of bitters are finding their way into restaurants and home bars. This video shows you what bitters are, and how you can use them to completely transform your cocktail recipes. Use bitters correctly in your home bartending and cocktails.

How To: Serve absinthe in the historically accurate way

Few liquors have as romantic a past as the mysterious absinthe. This video shows you the history of this drink (somtimes called the Green Fairy), and then how to prepare (or louche) the drink properly. Remember to use ice cold water, and only set it on fire if you're using laudanum (which you likely aren't, so just don't set your drink on fire at all). Serve absinthe in the historically accurate way.

News: Cocktail Blueprints

Below, two different sets of schematics for mixing cocktails: the first is the "Engineer's Guide to Drinks" designed some time in the '80s; the second is a set of sleek infographics for mixing the perfect drink, from Brazilian illustrator Fabio Rex.

How To: Set up a sophisticated home bar for the holidays

You don't need to hire a professional bartender to have a well stocked and set up bar. In fact, all you really need for a handsome bar is Martha Stewart and her creative director, Kevin Sharkey.

How To: Make two delicious, creative cocktails for a Halloween party

Many adults lose sight of what a fun holiday Halloween can be for them as well as their kids. Does dressing up in costume and drinking brightly-colored sweet cocktails ever get old? Watch this video to learn how to mix two delightful Halloween cocktails, a Brain Hemorrhage and a Pumpkin. Drink up!

How To: Mix a Simple Grasshopper Cocktail

How to Mix a Simple Grasshopper Drink The Grasshopper is the first cocktail I learned. It is very delicious and refreshing, yet easy to make. This cocktail is a must try to the people who hate the taste of pure liqueur like gin, rum etc.

How To: Make a Miami Vice Cocktail

Do you want this refreshing Miami Vice at home? This simple guide can help you make this refreshing summer cocktail with ease. If you like rum, piña colada and the taste of strawberries, you can't not mix this.

How To: Make your own fancy citrus twists for garnishes at home

Not only do they look elegant, citrus peel can add to the flavor of a beverage. This tutorial shows you how to make your own fancy twists of citrus peel for using as garnishes for your home bar. You'll be surprised at how easy it is! Make your own fancy citrus twists for garnishes at home.

How To: How Did He Do That? The Perplexing Rainbow Shots

We've got plenty of bartending tutorials, but I've yet to see one that explains the magic behind this mixology. Speculations below, please. Previously, HowTo: Infuse Your Booze Using Nitrous Oxide.

How To: Mix a Red Bull and vodka cocktail like a bartender

Want to make a Red Bull and vodka cocktail like a champion bartender? This clip will show you how it's done. With the proper technique, mixing the perfect drink can be easy. So easy, in fact, that this free video bartenders' guide can present an overview of the process in about a minute's time. For more information, including a full list of ingredients and complete instructions on how to mix this drink yourself, take a look.

How To: Make simple syrup with sugar and water

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make simple syrup. This task is very easy, fast and simple to do. Users will only need 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. Simply pour the equal parts of sugar and water into a pot. Then boil the mixture until it bubbles for 3-4 minutes. This syrup is used to season different recipes. All the sugar should be dissolved in the mixture. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy cooking and baking, and would like to learn how to make simple syrup ...

How To: Make a jalisco fresca drink

This video shows how to make a Jalisco Fresca, a cocktail from the Merk Bistro in San Diego. It is made with simple syrup, strawberries, an egg white, lemon juice, tequila and Campari.

How To: Be a faster bartender

There are a lot of little things that separate good bartenders from great ones. Bartending calls for a knowledge of a lot of different liquors and drinks. However, all the knowledge in the world is useless if you can't work fast in a busy bar. Expert bartender Jason Griffin will show how to be a faster bartender.

How To: Be a better bartender with tips from a pro

Expert bartender Jason Griffin from quickstrain.com has tons of helpful tips for all you aspiring bartender out there. Jason will show how a pro does the little things that separate the good ones from great ones. Watch this video to learn how to pour multiple drinks, upsell to customers and so much more!

How To: Pour accurate shot sizes

Whether you're training to pursue it as a career or just like to show off your knowledge when you're hosting company, knowing how to pour a well-sized shot is great for tending bar. This method makes it easy for anybody to size a drink. All you have to do it count to 6 and pour. This video will show exactly how to pour accurate shot sizes.

How To: Light a match (while bartending) with one hand

This video illustrates how to light a match while bartending with one hand. Take a pack of match sticks. Slide the paper over the match pointer with your thumb. Fold a match stick backwards to the pack and fold it once at the edge of the pack. A match strip is printed over the edge in pack of match sticks. Just let the match stick rub the match strip using your thumb and the match stick is lighted up. Just slide over the table. Benefit after watching this video: 1. To light a match while bart...

How to Flair bartend: vertical toss grab reverse grip

In this video you will learn how to do a Flair bartend: vertical toss grab reverse grip. Start this trick with an over hand grip, then reverse grip right hand. Reverse grip and pour. Make sure you are holding your bottle security. Your holding the bottle and spinning with the other hand. You might have to practice the end pour so you don't spill as you bring the bottle back up. This video does the sequence many time so you can get the hand work done correctly.

How To: Properly stir a cocktail

Impress your friends and become an expert mixologist with drinks that are "stirred, not shaken." You Will Need

How To: Get a free drink from a bartender

Everyone likes free things, and everyone likes drinking. Combine the two and you've got one happy hour. You will need no expectations, a smile on your face, basic common courtesy, and some money. Never ask for a freebie. It doesn’t work, and since most bartenders have good memories, you’ll always be known as the cheapskate. Be polite

How To: Make a shot glass out of ice

The coolest way to do a shot? Drink it from a glass made of ice. Learn how to make a shot glass out of ice.

How To: Make the perfect lemon twist as a cocktail garnish

It's not just about a pretty twist of lemon peel; it's about the lemon zest and the citrusy oil, and all of that nestling in your glass and interacting with your cocktail's ingredients, says CHOW. This is an important technique for bartenders. Learn how to make the perfect lemon twist as a cocktail garnish.

How To: Cut a perfect lime wedge

Check out this video to learn how to cut a perfect lime wedge so it perches on the side of your glass. Don’t forgo the garnish for fear of a wiggly lime. This also applies to wobbly lemons! Important bartending tip.

How To: Chill a glass like a bartender

Check out this video to learn how to chill a glass like a bartender. Bartender Duggan McDonnell shows how to chill down a glass for a better cocktail experience. This is a helpful bartending tip.

How To: Use a cocktail shaker so that it doesn't stick

Check out this video to learn how to use a cocktail shaker so that it doesn't stick. Cantina bartender Duggan McDonnell demonstrates the optimal angle of cocktail shaker to glass.

How To: Rim a cocktail glass

Learn how to rim a cocktail glass because it tastes so good when it touches your lips, says CHOW. One of the things that can be difficult is making a perfect rim witht either sugar or salt on a cocktail glass. Take a piece of citrus and rub it gently around the rim. Flip it over and press it gently in sugar or salt. Enjoy this quick cocktail tip.