Sips & Synopsis - This Weeks Makings

• Behind the Bar

• 3 Go-To Bar Hacks

• Drink of the Week + 3 Bartender Favorites

• Fun Fact: Bartenders’ Favorite Tools

Hello, cocktail enthusiasts! This week, we’re taking you behind the bar to give you an inside look into the world of professional bartending. Ever wondered what bartenders do to keep things running smoothly during a busy night or what their favorite cocktails are? We've gathered tips, stories, and bar hacks straight from the experts to inspire you to level up your home bartending game

Trivia Question❓

What is vodka traditionally made from?

A) Grapes, B) Potatoes, C) Apples, D) Corn

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Bartender Secrets: Go-To Bar Hacks

1. The Double Strain

Professional bartenders love to ensure a silky, smooth drink by using a double straining method. This involves straining a cocktail not just through the cocktail strainer but also through a fine mesh sieve to remove pulp, ice shards, or any other unwanted bits.

Why it’s useful: This trick helps make cocktails smoother and more refined. It’s especially helpful when using fresh fruit or muddled ingredients, as it ensures a cleaner final pour.

2. Pre-Batch Ingredients for Efficiency

Bartenders know that time is of the essence, especially when things get busy. A common hack is to pre-batch the non-carbonated elements of popular cocktails. This makes it faster and easier to create consistent drinks during a rush.

Why it’s useful: Pre-batching ensures quality control, saves time, and allows bartenders to keep up with high demand while maintaining consistency.

3. Chilling Glasses Without the Freezer

When there’s no space in the freezer, bartenders will fill a glass with ice and water, let it sit for a minute, and then dump it out just before pouring the cocktail. This chills the glass instantly, keeping the drink cool for longer.

Why it’s useful: Chilled glasses help keep your cocktails from warming too quickly, especially for those that aren’t served over ice.

Drink of the Week

Bartender Favorites: Drinks They Love to Make

1. Negroni (Featured above as the Drink of the Week)

Bartender: Jeffrey Morgenthaler (Bartender and Bar Manager) Classic Cocktails Bartenders often choose the Negroni as one of their go-to cocktails because it’s simple but balanced. The equal parts of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth create a bold, bittersweet drink that’s easy to make and packs a punch.

Why bartenders love it: It’s a three-ingredient classic that never disappoints, and the ingredients are shelf-stable, making it easy to prepare even during a busy shift.

2. Margarita

Bartender: Ivy Mix (Co-owner of Leyenda in Brooklyn). The Margarita is a bartender favorite due to its simplicity, endless variations, and the joy it brings to customers. The mix of tequila, lime, and orange liqueur is a refreshing balance of sweet, sour, and salty.

Why bartenders love it: Bartenders enjoy the versatility of the Margarita. It can be modified to suit a range of preferences—spicy, fruity, or classic.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila

• 1 oz lime juice

• 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec

• Salt for rimming the glass

• Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim the glass with salt and set aside.

2. Combine tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau in a shaker with ice.

3. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.

4. Garnish with a lime wheel.

3. Old Fashioned

Bartender: Jim Meehan (Founder of PDT, NYC). The Old Fashioned is a favorite for bartenders who enjoy working with minimal ingredients. With just bourbon, sugar, bitters, and a garnish, the drink relies on technique and balance, making it a true test of bartending skills.

Why bartenders love it: Bartenders appreciate the Old Fashioned for its versatility and the ability to adapt it with different bitters or adding a twist with various spirits.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon

• 1 sugar cube

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Place the sugar cube in a glass and saturate with bitters.

2. Muddle the sugar and bitters together.

3. Fill the glass with a large ice cube and add bourbon.

4. Stir gently and garnish with an orange peel.

Fun Fact: Bartenders’ Favorite Tools

Bartenders often carry their favorite tools with them, including:

• Weighted shakers for a better grip and faster shake.

• Jiggers to measure out exact portions and keep the drinks consistent.

• Hawthorne strainers to perfectly strain the drink without leaving any ice shards.

Now that you’ve got an inside look at how bartenders operate and their favorite tricks of the trade, it’s time to put your new knowledge to the test. Whether you’re shaking up a classic Margarita or mastering the perfect Old Fashioned, you’ll be ready to impress your friends with your newfound skills. Cheers to becoming your own at-home bartender!

Cheers,

Andrea