Cocktails Flashcards
Understanding classic recipes and the various types of recipe combinations.
Where should all cocktails be made?
At the point of service.
What are the two things a bartender is looking to achieve when creating a cocktail?
- to chill the drink
- to mix the ingredients
What are the three methods a bartender may use to create a cocktail?
- Building
- Stirring
- Shaking
What is the proper fill level of a cocktail?
1 cm from the top of the glass
What does shaking achieve in a cocktail?
Mixing, chilling and aerating of ingredients - which adds texture to the drink.
What tools does a bartender use for, and what is the purpose of, double straining?
A bartender uses both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine sieve / tea strainer to remove ice and other particles (such as mudled fruit or mint leaves) from a mixed cocktail.
What is the process used to crush ingredients in order to extract flavor and/or juice?
Muddling
A very smooth textured drink can be made using a…
Blender
What are the two basic rules a bartender will use to achieve balance in a drink?
- Strong versus Weak (alcoholic components and non-alcoholic)
- Bitter and/or Sour versus Sweet (bitter can be from concentrated bitters and sour ingredients are often from citrus, while sweet comes from some form of sugar, such as syrups)
A bartender will use these component rules to off-set each other - which is how you get balance in a drink.
When a drink is said to be strong, what does this refer to?
Strong refers to the alcoholic component of the drink.
What does weak refer to?
Weak refers to the non-alcoholic liquids in the drink.
A primary weak element in a Martini would be…
The melted ice / water
Sweetness in a cocktail can come from what three things?
- Sugar
- Simple syrup
- A liqueur
A cocktail that is too sweet would be considered…
Out of balance
What is sweetness balanced by?
- Sour/Acidity (often from citrus)
- Bitter ingredients (Cocktail Bitters)
What is an important ingredient that can contribute both sweet and bitter components to a drink?
Vermouth
Vermouth is an aromatized wine that has both sweetness added, as well as bitter components added.
What is a simple, mixed drink that is served long over ice cubes?
The Highball
Examples include: Gin and Tonic, Whiskey and Soda, Cuba Libre
Give one example of a highball using bitters as well as a spirit and a mixer.
Horse’s Neck
What is a Sour?
A sour is a family of drinks that incorporates a balance of strong-sour-sweet, and are often made from spirit, citrus and simple syrup; some include egg whites for added texture
A few examples are: Daiquiri, Margarita, Whiskey Sour.
What is essential when making a Pisco Sour?
Eggwhites
Eggwhites help to create the thick foam that is an integral part of the classic cocktail.
How does a Sour become a Collins?
A Sour cocktail can be made into a Collins by adding soda water.
Tom Collins is the classic example using gin.
What is the classic ingredient ratio for a Collins?
2 : 1 : 1/2
2 strong, 1 sour, 1/2 sweet, and topped with soda water
Name two classic Collins variations that have extra ingredients added.
- Paloma
- Mojito
What is the key differences between a Punch and a Collins?
A Punch uses juices rather than soda water.
