Techniques and Terms in Bartending
Bartending terms can sound strange to someone who does not understand the meanings. "Straight up" is something you tell a child to do while sitting, not something you equate to a drink. Bartending is an art and there are many techniques that are used to make that perfect drink. Does this Spark an idea?
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Take
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How you "take" your drink is a term used to ask how you want your drink prepared, such as with ice or not. This also refers to any mixers you want in your drink along with any garnishes you prefer. This term is usually used when you ask for just a liquor, such as scotch, instead of naming a specific drink.
Ice or Not
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"On the rocks" or "straight up" are terms asking if you would like ice in your drink or not. "Rocks" refers to ice and "straight up" means no ice. When you order just liquor instead of a mixed drink you are usually asked if you want ice or not. This is also a question asked when someone orders a Manhattan or a martini. There are other instances where this is appropriate to ask also.
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Chilled
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When you order a drink "chilled," such as a martini, this technique is used. Fill a martini glass with ice cubes and water and let it to sit as you prepare the drink in another container. Fill a metal drink-mixing cup with ice and pour the contents of the drink over it. This needs to sit for a minute to achieve the chilling effect. Throw out the ice and water in the glass and pour the chilled drink into it. Use a drink strainer on top the metal cup to keep the ice from falling into the drink. You now have a chilled cocktail.
Salted Rim
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This is a technique used for putting salt on the rim of a glass for drinks usually served this way, like a margarita. Pinch a piece of lime or lemon on the rim of the glass and slide it around the circumference. Then press the moistened rim into a tray containing salt. Take care when you pour the drink into the glass that you do not wash the salt off the rim.
Frozen
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The technique for making a drink "frozen" is preparing the drink in a blender with ice. To do this, fill the blender container almost to the top with ice. Pour the contents of the drink over the ice and blend it on high speed for about a minute. Your drink will have the consistency of slush, which is what a frozen drink looks like.
Preparing Terms
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The term "chaser" refers to a drink that is served alongside shot of liquor. Drink the chaser beverage after the shot to make the liquor it go down easier.
When the term "make it a double" or "double" is used, that is asking for you to put double the amount of alcohol in a drink.
"Dirty martini" is a term meaning to pour some of the olive juice into the drink when it is garnished with an olive.
The term "splash of" is means to put a very small amount of a mixer, such as water, into liquor.
When asked for a drink that is "neat" it means to pour the pure liquor into a glass with nothing else added.
The term "virgin" means a drink made with just the mixer for that drink and no alcohol added. A "virgin" bloody mary is served with the tomatoe juice, celery and spices only.
Presentation Terms
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The term "garnish" is used for something that goes in or on top of a drink as a decorative presentation, such as an olive, lemon or lime. People also may eat the garnish or squeeze the juice into the drink.
"Chilled glass" refers to a glass that is chilled by being kept in the cooler or refrigerator. Many prefer to drink draft beer poured into a chilled glass.
"Frosted glass" refers to a glass that has been kept in a freezer.
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