Bartending Tips

If you are a member of the entertain-and-be-entertained brigade, you've probably already mastered the art of being a perfect host. However, if you're trying to make a name as a party animal, here are some useful bartending tips to get you started.

Plan Ahead
Plan what type of drinks you'll be serving your guests and make sure you are well-stocked on the different liquors and ice. It's a good idea to keep the juices and other mixes chilled beforehand. It makes sure your guests will have a chilled drink without having to wait for it.

You can also cut lemon or tomato wedges beforehand and keep them refrigerated or on ice for freshness. This will save you time while serving drinks to your guests. If you will serve cocktails at your party, you can place the glasses in the freezer a few hours earlier so that they're well chilled by the time your guests arrive. Frosted glasses are also used to serve some cocktails. To frost a glass, simply put the glass in the freezer several hours ahead of your party or bury it in some ice cubes to create a white frosted look on the glass. Serving Tips How you serve your drinks speaks volumes on your ability as a host. The appearance of the drinks you serve is just as important as the taste - so it's important to have the light garnishes to complement the drinks.

If you are using toothpicks to serve the garnishes, make sure they are made of plastic and are long enough not to drown in the drink. Wooden toothpicks are best avoided as they might splinter and leave behind little wood pieces in your guests' drinks.

If you're serving a Margarita or Bloody Mary, don't forget to salt the rim of the glasses. Rub a fresh-cut wedge of lemon or lime around the rim and invert the glass on a shallow tray covered with salt. Moving the glass gently from side to side on the salt-filled tray makes sure the salt doesn't fall of the glass.

If the drinks you're serving call for a sugar frosting, take the frosted glass and wipe the rim with a slice of lemon or lime. After this, dip in powdered sugar to complete the effect.

If you're making a warm drink, pre-heat the glass under warm water. Otherwise, the fast temperature change could break the glass.

Helpful Hints
Opening a champagne bottle often poses a bit of a problem for a beginner. To open a champagne bottle, first remove the foil on the top and the wire netting. Then hold your hand over the cork, angle the bottle at about thirty degrees and gently twist the bottle with one hand holding the base. As you slowly turn the bottle, the cork will gently pop out.

If you've spilled liquid down the side of the glass while pouring or making a drink, transfer the contents into a clean glass. Simply wiping the glass is not a good idea as it will leave an unpleasant, sticky residue on the glass.