An Introduction to a Spirits Bar

Question 1

What is the shelf-life of (most) spirits?

Answer 1

Generally long, but they are not indestructible.

Question 2

What is the best storage condition for spirits before they are opened?

Answer 2

Spirits are ideally stored in a cool and constant temperature away from direct sunlight.

Question 3

Spirits react with what, once they are opened?

Answer 3

Spirits slowly react with oxygen, which can affect the quality and freshness, which will start to deteriorate.

Question 4

Deterioration happens faster for what kind of spirits?

Answer 4

Spirits with lower abv, but also for any bottle when the bottle is more than 1/2 empty.

Question 5

What are the two halves of the bar?

Answer 5

The two halves are the bar counter and the bar back.

Question 6

How is bar equipment and design best arranged?

Answer 6

The best arrangement and placement of equipment minimizes working movements in both time and distance.

Question 7

What are the four most important non-spirit cocktail ingredients?

Answer 7

1. ice
2. simple syrup
3. fruit juices
4. bitters

Question 8

What are the two functions of using ice with cocktails?

Answer 8

The two functions of ice are to chill the drink, either in the preparation and/or in service, and for dilution.

Question 9

What is the strainer that is typically used in conjunction with a shaker and allows for flow control, called?

Answer 9

Hawthorne Strainer

Question 10

What is the device commonly used in conjunction with a Hawthorne strainer in a technique called double straining?

Answer 10

Fine Sieve / Tea Strainer

Question 11

What kind of knife is specifically designed to cut narrow strips of citrus peel for garnishes?

Answer 11

Channel knife

Question 12

What tool allows for the easiest way to ensure that cocktails are made consistently and their balance is maintained?

Answer 12

Jigger

Question 13

What is used to prepare large pieces of citrus peel, typically for garnish?

Answer 13

Peeler

Question 14

What is used to open mixers and beers?

Answer 14

Bar Blade

Question 15

Bar juice should always be…

Answer 15

FRESH

Question 16

What is used to serve garnishes such as nutmeg?

Answer 16

Grater

Question 17

What is the type of strainer typically used in conjunction with a mixing glass?

Answer 17

Julep Strainer

Question 18

What is used to prepare stirred drinks?

Answer 18

Mixing glass

Question 19

What is used to open bottles of wine?

Answer 19

Waiter’s Friend Corkscrew

Question 20

What is used to break up ingredients and release their juice or aromatic oils?

Answer 20

Muddler

Question 21

What type of glass is used for a single serving of measured spirit that that is typically drunk in one go?

Answer 21

Shot Glass

Question 22

What glass is associated with the Tequila-based sour cocktail that shares it name?

Answer 22

Margarita

Question 23

What glass was used to serve champagne, is increasingly being used to serve ‘short drinks’?

Answer 23

Coupe

Question 24

What is a versatile glass used for a variety of drinks, including soft drinks and beers?

Answer 24

Highball or Collins

Question 25

What is the traditional service vessel for a **Moscow Mule**?

Answer 25

**Copper Mule Mug**

Question 26

What glass is typically used for **Champagne** or **Champagne cocktail** service?

Answer 26

**Flute**

Question 27

What is the traditional glass for a **Derby drink**?

Answer 27

**Julep Cup**

Question 28

What is used to serve **exotic** or **tropical-themed** drinks such as a Pina Colada?

Answer 28

**Hurricane**

Question 29

What vessel is used to serve **hot cocktail** drinks?

Answer 29

**Toddy**

Question 30

What is the **V-shaped glass** closely associated with the drink that shares its name?

Answer 30

**Martini**

Question 31

What is the glass used to serve spirits with ice, as in '**on the rocks**' style?

Answer 31

**Tumbler** or **Old Fashioned**

Question 32

What is used to serve **elaborate Island cocktails**, which are often rum based?

Answer 32

**Tiki Mug**

Question 33

Which cools the drink more slowly: **shaking** or **stirring** with ice?

Answer 33

**Stirring**

Question 34

Which **dilutes** the cocktail more: **shaking** or **stirring** with ice?

Answer 34

**Stirring**

Question 35

What kind of ice would a bartender use to **chill** and **dilute** a drink quickly?

Answer 35

**Crushed ice**

Question 36

What is the preferred way to **sweeten** a cocktail?

Answer 36

**Simple Syrup**

Question 37

What is **orgeat**?

Answer 37

**Orgeat** is a **syrup** flavored with **almonds** and rose water or orange water.

Question 38

What is one problem when using **freshly squeezed** juices?

Answer 38

Fresh juices can **oxidize** and lose freshness quickly, even when chilled.

Question 39

What is an ingredient that can be used as a **seasoning** to add an extra dimension to a cocktail?

Answer 39

**Bitters** (Cocktail Bitters)

Question 40

The primary roll of a **garnish** is what?

Answer 40

To **decorate** the drink

Question 41

How long do **fruit garnishes last**?

Answer 41

Fruit garnishes last **one day**, and should be cut at the start of a day and discarded at the end.