The Art Of Tending Bar
This article will not be a repository of exotic drink recipes; those exist in abundance across the web. Instead it is a guide to understanding the form and mentality one must take when preparing mixed beverages for guests and patrons.
The first thing you should consider when preparing drinks is hygiene. You have to understand that what your making with your hands, will eventually go inside of a persons body. You have to give hygiene the highest importance when engaging in these tasks. You don’t want to get dirt or other debris in their glass while preparing the brew.
You should be certain tow ash your hands with soapy water before you start preparing food or drinks. Then dry them down thoroughly. As you work, be aware of where your hands go. You should be sure to always scrub them down after any act that might mess them up. You have to be aware that your hands can get dirty, grimey, or sticky from all the different juices and foods that youll be working with.
You also have to be careful about other bodily fluids. If you’re sick, it’s important not to attend to mixing drinks, as you can easily spread germs to your friends or customers. If you have to sneeze, avert your head and cover your mouth. You should do the same with coughing. You have to be sure to wash your hands completely when your finished.
When preparing beverages speed is of the essence. People may be a little patient, but after a while theyre going to get fed up waiting for you to look up the recipe for the newest drink. You should do your best to memorize the most popular drinks of the day, as these will be the ones that are most commonly ordered. If someone orders a beverage you aren’t familiar with, it is acceptable to ask them what’s in it, or to look the drink up in a guide book. However at that point you should make an effort to memorize the drink so that next time you will be better prepared.
One of the keys to being a good bartender is multitasking. You should always be involved in several actions at the same time. You have two hands; it is completely possible for each one to be doing at least one, and often multiple separate tasks. This allows you to set up several drinks at once, while also keeping the bar area clean, and ensuring that everyone has beverage coasters, napkins, and anything else they might need.
Finally, you should try and be personable throughout the entire experience. The beverage is a social element by its very nature, and it is intended to bring people together. Try and make everyone feel included, and just be generally friendly throughout the experience.
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