Expert Final

Basics of the Bar

How to become a master of mixology.

Alcoholic beverages are a staple of college culture. There are many different kinds of alcohol that are enjoyed by many different kinds of people. But no matter the event, alcohol seems to always have a part in the night life of college students. Most students have just left home and don't have too many experiences yet, but the amateurs new students meet are not the right people to learn from. Shotgunning a beer and drinking seltzers can be fun, but are those things something a sophisticated professional does? Not at all. So what is the alternative for someone who enjoys the finer things in life? A classy cocktail of course. And it is even more impressive if you have a wide range of skills to show off. 

For so many college students, the quarantine from coronavirus put a damper on most social life. Gatherings are limited and you would often have to rely on the people you are living with to provide entertainment. However, it is the perfect time to pick up a new skill or hobby to keep your mind occupied, and bartending is one of those skills that is almost always useful to have! Having the ability to create new tastes and experiences for your friends and family through familiar ingredients is a wonderful skill. While it is something that is nerve-wracking at first, it becomes easier and more exciting the more your confidence grows. 

The Essentials

As with any new skill, there are a few basic essentials a newcomer starting their journey should know. When it comes to bartending, I like to separate the essentials into three parts: ingredients to have, materials to have, and recipes to know. There are hundreds of different kinds of cocktails in the world, but only a few ingredients make up a majority of the most popular drinks. So let's start with the ingredients:

Spirits to have on hand:

  • Vodka
  • Tequila
  • Whiskey
  • Rum
  • Gin
  • Brandy
These six types of spirits are the base spirits for a well stocked bar. Most drinks that are ordered include at least one of these types of alcohol. If you are on a budget, I would recommend only picking up vodka, tequila, and whiskey. They are the more common spirits that drinks are made with and still offer a wide range of options. 

Mixers to have on hand:
  • Sodas
  • Fruit juice
  • Simple syrup
  • Bitters
There are only four types of mixers you really need, but each type has a few different options you should stock up on. Sodas include at minimum Sprite, Coca-Cola, and soda water (or your favorite brand that is similar in taste). Another option is Squirt, which when mixed with tequila, creates a Paloma. Fruit juice is one of the most important mixers, but the base juices necessary for a novice bartender are lemon, lime, cranberry, and orange. A fifth you could add is pineapple, but the previous four cover most drinks. However, the lemon and lime juices are the two most important. Simple syrup is basically liquid sugar, and very easy to make yourself or buy cheaply at the store. Bitters are concentrated flavor enhancements which bring a boosted taste to many cocktails. They are in a lot of more intricate recipes, so again, if you want to bartend the cheapest way possible, feel free to skip the bitters.

Materials to have on hand:
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Bar spoon
  • Jigger
  • Muddler
A cocktail shaker is the most iconic weapon of the bartender. Armed with this, one can perform many tricks and create magical concoctions. A bar spoon is just a long spoon used to reach the bottom of the glasses easier. You have probably seen a jigger and not known what it is called, but jiggers are the shot measuring cups with a full shot on one side and a half on the other. It is very useful when measuring shots or for recipes that measure in parts rather than shots. Finally, a muddler is used to mash up fruit which releases the flavors into the drink, but not necessary as other utensils can be used in lieu of this.

Recipes to know:

As I mentioned before, there are hundreds of cocktails out there made with different combinations of multiple different spirits, often a few at once. Below is a list of ten cocktails, including some of the more popular ones along with some of my favorites:
  • Moscow Mule
  • Bloody Mary
  • Old Fashioned
  • Tequila Sunrise
  • Long Island Iced Tea
  • AMF
  • Mojito
  • Martini
  • Margarita
  • Pina Colada
One of my favorites is the Moscow Mule. It is simple, only lime, vodka, and ginger beer to make it, but always provides a refreshing taste with a hint of spice from the ginger and the lime to cool it off. The Long Island Iced Tea (as well as the AMF) is known for being a bad decision in a glass, but here is another way of looking at it: the most cost effective way to get drunk! There are 5 different types of alcohol in both of those drinks, and while they are strong, they are also classic flavor combinations that are often requested at bars. 

Practice and Experiment!

Now that you are armed with the proper ingredients and knowledge of recipes, it is time to start practicing! And feel free to stray from the recipes. Creating your own twist on a classic drink is how most cocktails start, and many bartenders are happy to make it for you if you are out and about. As you gain experience and knowledge, start improving your setup and expanding your knowledge of recipes. Maybe even try to learn some cool bartender tricks. Whatever you decide, always remember to have fun and be responsible.

Works Cited

Dowling, Melissa, and Kyle Swartz. “14 Tips and Tricks from Masters of Mixology.” Cheers, Cheers, 30 June 2020, https://cheersonline.com/2015/06/11/14-tips-and-tricks-from-masters-of-mixology/.

Graham, Colleen. “Bartending 101: A Crash Course in Making Great Cocktails.” The Spruce Eats, The Spruce Eats, 13 Sept. 2021, https://www.thespruceeats.com/bartending-tips-for-better-drinks-4105954.

Graham, Colleen. “Popular Cocktails That Everyone Should Know.” The Spruce Eats, The Spruce Eats, 28 May 2021, https://www.thespruceeats.com/popular-drinks-every-bartender-should-know-760389. 

Williams, Rhett. “10 Tips for the Beginner Cocktail Bartender.” ShakeStir, ShakeStir, 11 June 2013, https://www.shakestir.com/features/id/571/10-tips-for-the-beginner-cocktail-bartender.

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