An Introduction to a Spirits Bar Flashcards
An introduction to properly setting up a professional bar and the tools needed to make drinks of all types.
What is the shelf-life of (most) spirits?
Generally long, but they are not indestructible.
What is the best storage condition for spirits before they are opened?
Spirits are ideally stored in a cool and constant temperature away from direct sunlight.
Spirits react with what, once they are opened?
Spirits slowly react with oxygen, which can affect the quality and freshness, which will start to deteriorate.
Deterioration happens faster for what kind of spirits?
Spirits with lower abv, but also for any bottle when the bottle is more than 1/2 empty.
What are the two halves of the bar?
The two halves are the bar counter and the bar back.
How is bar equipment and design best arranged?
The best arrangement and placement of equipment minimizes working movements in both time and distance.
What are the four most important non-spirit cocktail ingredients?
- ice
- simple syrup
- fruit juices
- bitters
What are the two functions of using ice with cocktails?
The two functions of ice are to chill the drink, either in the preparation and/or in service, and for dilution.
What is the strainer that is typically used in conjunction with a shaker and allows for flow control, called?
Hawthorne Strainer
What is the device commonly used in conjunction with a Hawthorne strainer in a technique called double straining?
Fine Sieve / Tea Strainer
What kind of knife is specifically designed to cut narrow strips of citrus peel for garnishes?
Channel knife
What tool allows for the easiest way to ensure that cocktails are made consistently and their balance is maintained?
Jigger
What is used to prepare large pieces of citrus peel, typically for garnish?
Peeler
What is used to open mixers and beers?
Bar Blade
Bar juice should always be…
FRESH
What is used to serve garnishes such as nutmeg?
Grater
What is the type of strainer typically used in conjunction with a mixing glass?
Julep Strainer
What is used to prepare stirred drinks?
Mixing glass
What is used to open bottles of wine?
Waiter’s Friend Corkscrew
What is used to break up ingredients and release their juice or aromatic oils?
Muddler
What type of glass is used for a single serving of measured spirit that that is typically drunk in one go?
Shot Glass
What glass is associated with the Tequila-based sour cocktail that shares it name?
Margarita
What glass was used to serve champagne, is increasingly being used to serve ‘short drinks’?
Coupe
What is a versatile glass used for a variety of drinks, including soft drinks and beers?
Highball or Collins
What is the traditional service vessel for a Moscow Mule?
Copper Mule Mug
What glass is typically used for Champagne or Champagne cocktail service?
Flute
What is the traditional glass for a Derby drink?
Julep Cup
What is used to serve exotic or tropical-themed drinks such as a Pina Colada?
Hurricane
What vessel is used to serve hot cocktail drinks?
Toddy
What is the V-shaped glass closely associated with the drink that shares its name?
Martini
What is the glass used to serve spirits with ice, as in ‘on the rocks’ style?
Tumbler or Old Fashioned
What is used to serve elaborate Island cocktails, which are often rum based?
Tiki Mug
Which cools the drink more slowly: shaking or stirring with ice?
Stirring
Which dilutes the cocktail more: shaking or stirring with ice?
Stirring
What kind of ice would a bartender use to chill and dilute a drink quickly?
Crushed ice
What is the preferred way to sweeten a cocktail?
Simple Syrup
What is orgeat?
Orgeat is a syrup flavored with almonds and rose water or orange water.
What is one problem when using freshly squeezed juices?
Fresh juices can oxidize and lose freshness quickly, even when chilled.
What is an ingredient that can be used as a seasoning to add an extra dimension to a cocktail?
Bitters (Cocktail Bitters)
The primary roll of a garnish is what?
To decorate the drink
How long do fruit garnishes last?
Fruit garnishes last one day, and should be cut at the start of a day and discarded at the end.
