Archive for Bartending
Joe Bartender’s Guide To The Daquiri
A daiquiri is a cocktail drink made from a combination of rum, lime juice and sugar. Over the years several variations of this drink have been developed.
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.
Sex On The Beach - No Beach Required
This highball cocktail is popular at all bars and sports clubs. The cocktail is made from vodka, orange juice, peach schnapps and cranberry juice. The drink was first served at TGI Fridays years ago and now is widely available in all bars.
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.
Bourbon Is Boss
Bourbon is a classic American whiskey made from corn. The name is derived from the town where corn is made, Bourbon County, Kentucky. All the bourbon made in the USA is standardized according to federal regulations. The majority of bourbon made in the USA is made from almost 70% corn which has been aged for at least 4 years. Other grains frequently used to make the bourbon include wheat, rye or barley. Once the grain is fermented, it is distilled and allowed to age. All the bourbon is diluted with water and bottled.
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.
Alcohol Breath test: How Does It Work?
Few people have an idea what an alcohol breath test is. The test simply measures how much alcohol is in your blood by measuring a sample of the air you breathe out.
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.
Sweet, Sweet, Sangria All Summer Long!
Sangria is a punch made from red wine. The essentials ingredients in this punch include a red wine, some type of fruit, a sweet juice or syrup, carbonated water and a small amount of an alcoholic spirit. The fruits may range from orange, apples, kiwi or banana.
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.