Back in the 1800s, Absinthe, which was incredibly popular at the time was used as a scapegoat for the murderous rampage of some individual and banned in France.  Many countries followed suit.  In the 1970s an incorrect research paper claimed thujones had the same molecular shape as THC found in marijuana and thus the same chemical reactions.  All these elements have shrouded the spirit in mystery and misunderstanding.

Enough with the science.

One thing is for sure: Absinthe gets you messed up.

However, the reason being is it’s high alcohol content (45 – 75%).  After drinking it, some people report a different sort of buzz and I’m going to agree.  I’m sure many of you have found that drinking whiskey vs wine vs beer all provide a different drunken experience.  Absinthe is no different.

JoeBartender was lucky enough to have some free samples of  Le Tourment Vert sent to us to test out (Thanks Kayla).  I had my drink after a few beers and there is no doubt, it kicked my ass.  My delicious Sundance Lift zoned me out and sent me to bed for the night.

Often Absinthe is mixed with water and some burning carmelized sugar, but there are actually some tasty recipes out there.  Here are a few provided by Le Tourment Vert branded Absinthe:

Le Tourment Vert Poison Apple Martini
Le Tourment Vert Triple French Martini
Le Tourment Vert Tourment Trance
Le Tourment Vert Green on Main
Le Tourment Vert Sundance Lift

For those of you who have tried Absinthe how did it make you feel? Did you see the lucky charms leprechaun flying around the room after a glass, did it get you wasted, or did it just make you sleepy, or maybe wasted and sleepy?

Let us know!

The drink consists of gin, brandy, some Benedictine, pineapple, fresh lemon, angostura bitters and some grenadine. All the ingredient are mixed and the poured into a highball glass with ice. While this was the original recipe, the Singapore sling has gone through many changes over the years. All the ingredients have changed, however, the one critical ingredient that has remained the same is Benedictine.  Benedictine is a key ingredient without which the drink is not the same.

When  the drink is made in the proper way, it is truly refreshing.

The drink is still served on all international Singapore airline flights. The original drink at the Raffles hotel costs close to $25. This may sound a bit too expensive for a drink, but if you went to Paris, would you not go and see the Eiffel tower or if you went to China, would you not go and see the great wall?. The same logic applies to the sling. If you go to Singapore, you should get a taste of this great drink

To start off, bar tending is hard work and there is no easy money. However when you work for a decent bar or restaurant, almost all the employers offer full benefits.  Some of the hotels even have connection to airlines and the tour industry and so you are often offered free trips and hotel accommodations every now and then.

When it comes to actual salary it depends where one works. Salaries are different in each state. The lowest salaries may start off at around $30,000 and the highest may be close to 100K and even higher. Some bar tenders can make anywhere from $100-300 a night in wages and tips. This is way above what an entry level college graduate would make. However, there are others who make much less.

One has to remember that no one ever starts of making a lot of money right away. Almost everyone starts off at a low salary. But if you are hard working and get decent job with a reputable bar or hotel chain, then the sky is the limit

Generally the white or Blanco tequila is preferred for the margarita but this is a personal choice.. This potent cocktail usually consists of a mixture of 50% tequila, 25% Triple Sec, and 25% lime or lemon juice.

The drink is served with ice. Some individuals also add a sweetener either sugar or a honey to add sweetness.

Another deviation from the classic Margarita is to make the drink frothier. This is typically done by adding some egg white to the blended margarita. While the egg white makes no difference to the taste , it does bring more frothiness. In the Southern USA, some individual also make margarita from raspberries, strawberries and even mango juice. All the ingredients are blended.

Irrespective of how it is made or what the ingredients are, margarita are a great refreshing drink for any occasion/event.

Well, what no bartender really tells you is that in real life you do not have to know all the recipes. The majority of bars and hotels all over the country usually serve 20-40 standard drinks which make up 99% of the business. So one does not have to remember all the 1000s of recipes but just the common every day drinks.

If you pay attention you can learn the common 50 or so recipes in no time. However, it is always worth knowing some unusual recipes. You never know when a customer may ask you to make such an unusual drink. And if you can make it, you will be a hero (and get a big tip). While there are certainly a lot of drinks and ingredients to remember, one should always keep a small book handy behind the bar. You can always go at the back, peek into it and then make the drink.

Rather than learning all the ingredients and recipes, one should put more effort in adding style and flair to how one makes and pours the drink. The majority of customers have little clue what is exactly in the drink.

Tom Cruise in the movie, Cocktail, glamorized the occupation and brought it some respect.  Today, bar tending is thought of as a great job and many people are trying to be bar tenders. The job offers excitement, loud noise, friendly people (most of the time), clean fun and a chance to meet lots of people from all races, genders and age.

Bar tending is not for everyone; one has to like the atmosphere and the hours. The bright lights, noise, the occasional drunk and ongoing celebrations is only cut out for a select few.

While the profession sounds glamorous, most bar tenders would agree that it is a lot of hard work and one needs good working habits to survive. Bar tenders start work late in the evening and usually work past midnight.

The job is demanding but stable. People drink no matter what the occasion, good or bad.   Bar tending will always be a steady job with steady pay.

The classic daiquiri was always served in a tall glass full of ice. Both lime and sugar were then sprinkled over the ice and 2-3 ounces of rum was added to make the drink. Using a long spoon the drink was mixed and consumed.

Today, the variations of daiquiri include doubling the portion of rum to 4-6 ounces, omitting the sugar, adding honey/syrup and adding some grape fruit juice. Frozen daiquiri is basically the same thing except that the drink is blended with ice, making it a little slushy.

Daiquiri is a popular drink in most bars and sports clubs. Drinking a few daiquiris on an empty stomach almost always induces a state of lightheadedness and delight.

There is also the strawberry daiquiri- which has become a popular drink both in the home and at social events.  Essentially all the ingredients are combined and Strawberries are added to the blender and pulverized.  This results in a sweet delicious refreshing drink that tastes great.

The ingredients for “sex on the beach” are mixed,  shaken with some ice and served in a highball glass.

Over the years, there have been several variations to this drink. Some bartenders also add raspberries as garnish and use pineapple juice instead of the traditional orange juice. Besides raspberries, one can even add cherries.

The drink is very soft and fruity and is perfect at the beach or on a hot summer evening.

Behind the drink there is a subtle meaning which most men hope will come true. The women even though shy to order this drink always have lust in their eyes. In either case, Sex on the beach is the perfect beverage for a couple who hope to get more than just a drink.

Photo by digitalexander

Federal regulations have made a mandate that bourbon can not be distilled above 160 proof and must be bottled at no less than 80 proof.

The types of bourbon are variable from batches depending on whether the bourbon was derived from a single barrel or a single batch.

A glass of bourbon can be enjoyed in more ways than one. Some connoisseurs of alcohol love to sniff this whisky- because of its strong aroma. Bourbon is best consumed with some ice.

The test is typically performed by law enforcement officers using a variety of portable machines. In the old days one was asked to blow up a balloon in one big breath and then the air collected was released in a graduated tube with yellow bands. As the concentration of alcohol increases the number of yellow bands in the tube change to green. The green bands then reflect the amount of alcohol you have in your body. For the electronic method, one just blows into the machine which quickly checks the amount of alcohol in your breath and gives a read out on the machine.

Alcohol breath tests are painless and usually quite accurate. Any person with an alcohol levels of 0.08% and above is considered legally drunk. Many states have dropped this legal limit to 0.04-0.05%.

One has to understand that the level of alcohol in the breath and the driving ability are not related. Some individuals may have very low levels of alcohol and yet may not even be stand up straight whereas others may have high levels and drive perfectly.

Today, there are portable machines available for sell to the public. The test may help you decide whether to drive or not. Anytime you drive with alcohol on board, not only are the risks of a car accident increased, but the legal implications are ominous if you get caught.

The sweet syrup can be honey or some type of sweet juice (e.g. orange juice).

Because there are so many variations of sangria, the alcohol content is quite variable. While red wine has traditionally been used to make sangria, one can even use white wine. And even the fruits can be varied from peaches, nectarines and even tangerines.

Today, a tinge of cinnamon is almost always added to the punch to give it a sharp taste.
Sangria is best served cold and thus is a common summer drink.

Sangria is available in most wine and grocery stores in bottled containers. However, to add variety and taste, one can easily make their own sangria using a variety of fruits and syrups.

Brandy is made in many parts of the world including the USA, France, Portugal, South Africa. Germany, Mexico, Greece, Italy, Cyprus and Spain.

The most well known of all the brandy is that made in France called Cognac. It is the gold standard and all other brands are compared to it. Some of the best grapes in France are used to make cognac. The grapes are not always great for eating but still make a superb brandy. The brandy is aged in special casks made from limousine oak. The majority of cognac is aged for several years before use

When one buys a bottle of cognac, there is a label which indicates how old the drink is. Most people prefer to buy Cognac which is more than 2-4 years old

Martinis are simple to make. The 1:5 ratio includes using half an ounce of sweet or dry vermouth and 2.5 ounces of gin or vodka.  The drink is usually served cold and may be garnished with an olive or a slice of lemon.

Today, martinis have undergone a few changes. Flavored martinis are commonly available for a new breed of drinkers. Bartenders constantly add juices, fruits, various creams and chocolates to the martini.

Even the garnishes have also been changed lately. Instead of the traditional olive and lemon, now one can add stuffed olives, anchovies, sun dried tomatoes and marinated capers. In some parts of the USA, the cocktail is made of margarita on the rocks with olive juice. Martini is a drink usually enjoyed at the same time as having dinner.

Once the milk is fermented with the kefir, a sour alcoholic beverage is produced which resembles yogurt in consistency. The longer the milk is fermented, the higher the alcohol amount. The amount of alcohol is usually about 1-2%.

While many people can make the kefir drink at home, there is commercially available kefir in most grocery and health food stores.

One reason why kefir has caught on as a favorite drink among athletes, is that it is postulated to have a lot of health benefits. There are claims that unlike milk, kefir is better tolerated and does not produce any symptoms of lactose intolerance. There is also some evidence that it can decrease blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels.

Kefir is best consumed by adding a variety of fruits, juices or sweet syrup to it. one can blend the drink with ice cream, frozen yogurt and a variety of fruits. One can even drink kefir with cereals and add a variety of nuts, cashews and granola to it. Russians have used kefir as an ingredient in soups (borscht and okroshka).

The lime juice is usually added to the sugar cane syrup and mint leaves- this is the sticky part. The rum is added next and the drink is served with ice and sparkling water. Lime slices are always used as garnish.

Over the years, several different versions of this Cuban drink have emerged. The mojito is definitely a refreshing drink for a hot summer day, the freshness of the juice quenches the thirst and the rum immediately soothes the mind.

Preparation of the Fenny involves collection of the juices of the cashew or the coconut and boiling it (distilation) in specially designed pots.  Once the water has evaporated, a strong concentrate of the juice remains which has a very strong aroma.

The distilled product of the cashew or the coconut has an alcohol content of about 40%. The raw drink is very intoxicating and one should never drink excess of it. The best way to enjoy the Fenny is as a cocktail.

One can drink the Fenny in combination with tonic water, or a beverage like coca cola or and citrus juices (lime, lemon, orange) .

There are other methods to remove the air from the wine bottle. A variety of sprays containing C02 are available. The foams are inserted into the wine bottle through a small plastic tube and the air is evacuated.

The cork or stopper is then quickly placed in the top of the bottle. This method is very messy and does not always work.

Another method to preserve the half empty wine bottle is to place it into a smaller bottle, place a stopper and refrigerate it.

The only sure way of avoiding the wine from going bad is to drink it as soon as possible.

Tequila is a alcoholc drink made from the blue agave, which is only found in Mexico. This fermented drink has had a long tradition in Mexico and was first popularized by the Aztecs in the 16th century. Tequila usually contains about 35-45% alcohol. Over the years, it has become a favorite drink among americans and its sale in North America continue to increase.

Mexico is the world’s leading producer of Tequila and there are 100s of brands of this alcoholc drink.There are various types of tequilas which are generally based on how aged the drink is. The blanco is the white tequila which is usually unaged (less than 2 months), whereas the anejo is aged anywhere from 1-3 years.
The two basic types of tequilas are the Mintos and 100% agave. The mintos is fermented with both glucose and fructose sugars, whereas the agave is completely glucose based. The glucose based tequila is usually easier to digest by the body.
Tequilas have a certain taste depending on the quality of alcohol. The cheaper the quality, the more acrid is the taste. The 100% agave tequilas are usually smoother in taste, produce a distinct aroma and are slightly more expensive.

While some individuals can drink tequila straight, this is not always fun. Tequila is best enjoyed with a combination of orange juice, grenadine and hot peppers. Some may even add salt and lemon to spice it up. The salt takes away the sting of the tequila whereas the citrus enhances the flavor.

And one more thing- there are no worms in Tequila. If you find one, go get your tequila elsewhere.

Photo by kevbo1983.

Absinthe is known to contain a chemical very similar to marijuana (THC). This is one of the reasons why there are many websites which sell material for home users to extract the thujone from the absinthe. The extraction of the thujone is difficult and does require some technical knowledge about solvents. In most cases, home extracted absinthe are contaminated with high quantities of toxic solvents.

Absinthe is a very bitter drink and is taken with some sugar. The product is not sold in bars but can be easily bought over the internet. While the amount of thujone is small in the woodworm plant, repeated drinking can lead to mental confusion and inattention.

All the different ingredients are dissolved in the alcoholic drink to make it a liqueur. Like good wine, some liqueurs are aged for a certain period of time to allow the flavors to integrate into the mixture. Liqueurs are made slightly differently in each country but one thing they all have in common is the sweetness. All of them have a distinct sweet taste. Liqueurs have been used by Europeans for centuries both as social beverage and as a herbal medicine. In Europe, liqueurs were frequently consumed during various royal rituals and ceremonies. Many individuals from Eastern Europe still use liqueurs in cooking.
Liqueurs are widely available in most countries. They may be served by themselves or in combination with coffee, ice cream or added to a mixture of cocktails. Most people prefer a liqueur after dinner and like to have it served with a dessert.

The preparation of liqueurs is somewhat complex. Some are prepared by mixing a variety of flowers, spices and fruits with thee alcohol whereas others are distilled from organic chemicals. What most individuals may not realize is that the alcohol content of liqueurs is minimal. The majority of liqueurs only contain anywhere from 5-20% of alcohol-only the rare liqueur may contain alcohol content of greater than 50%.

Photo by cocolaco.