How to Serve a Cocktail

Any good bartender knows how to not only mix up a great tasting cocktail, but how to serve it in a way that is pleasing to the eye and offers a great drinking experience. If you are new to the world of cocktails, it's time to study your glasses and garnishes so that you can serve a perfect cocktail every time.

Instructions

1. Serve most common cocktails, such as drinks on the rocks, mixers or layered drinks in highball glasses, which are simply short, straight sided glasses, and also the most commonly used cocktail glasses

2. Choose the classic cocktail glass, also known as the martini glass, to serve martinis, Manhattans, metropolitans and gimlets.

3. Select a pint glass for taller mixed drinks and beers.

4. Rim glasses with rock salt or sugar. Rub your glasses with water or a wedge of lemon, lime or orange before you dip them into the garnish.

5. Add olives, small vegetables, cherries, melon balls, chocolate covered coffee beans, lemon drops, dried fruit or fruit wedges to your drinks for a special touch. Spike your garnishes onto cocktail swords or toothpicks, or simply drop them into the bottom of the glass.

6. Dress your cocktails up with decorative touches, such as stirrers, little flags, citrus twists or mini umbrellas for a festive appearance. Provide your party guests with coordinated cocktail napkins.

Tips & Warnings

• Familiarize yourself with the different types of cocktail glassware. For example, highballs, martini glasses, pint glasses, brandy snifters, margarita glasses, champagne flutes, wine glasses and shot glasses.