Cocktails Flashcards
Understanding classic recipes and the various types of recipe combinations.
Where should all cocktails be made?
At the point of service.
What are the two things a bartender is looking to achieve when creating a cocktail?
- to chill the drink
- to mix the ingredients
What are the three methods a bartender may use to create a cocktail?
- Building
- Stirring
- Shaking
What is the proper fill level of a cocktail?
1 cm from the top of the glass
What does shaking achieve in a cocktail?
Mixing, chilling and aerating of ingredients - which adds texture to the drink.
What tools does a bartender use for, and what is the purpose of, double straining?
A bartender uses both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine sieve / tea strainer to remove ice and other particles (such as mudled fruit or mint leaves) from a mixed cocktail.
What is the process used to crush ingredients in order to extract flavor and/or juice?
Muddling
A very smooth textured drink can be made using a…
Blender
What are the two basic rules a bartender will use to achieve balance in a drink?
- Strong versus Weak (alcoholic components and non-alcoholic)
- Bitter and/or Sour versus Sweet (bitter can be from concentrated bitters and sour ingredients are often from citrus, while sweet comes from some form of sugar, such as syrups)
A bartender will use these component rules to off-set each other - which is how you get balance in a drink.
When a drink is said to be strong, what does this refer to?
Strong refers to the alcoholic component of the drink.
What does weak refer to?
Weak refers to the non-alcoholic liquids in the drink.
A primary weak element in a Martini would be…
The melted ice / water
Sweetness in a cocktail can come from what three things?
- Sugar
- Simple syrup
- A liqueur
A cocktail that is too sweet would be considered…
Out of balance
What is sweetness balanced by?
- Sour/Acidity (often from citrus)
- Bitter ingredients (Cocktail Bitters)
What is an important ingredient that can contribute both sweet and bitter components to a drink?
Vermouth
Vermouth is an aromatized wine that has both sweetness added, as well as bitter components added.
What is a simple, mixed drink that is served long over ice cubes?
The Highball
Examples include: Gin and Tonic, Whiskey and Soda, Cuba Libre
Give one example of a highball using bitters as well as a spirit and a mixer.
Horse’s Neck
What is a Sour?
A sour is a family of drinks that incorporates a balance of strong-sour-sweet, and are often made from spirit, citrus and simple syrup; some include egg whites for added texture
A few examples are: Daiquiri, Margarita, Whiskey Sour.
What is essential when making a Pisco Sour?
Eggwhites
Eggwhites help to create the thick foam that is an integral part of the classic cocktail.
How does a Sour become a Collins?
A Sour cocktail can be made into a Collins by adding soda water.
Tom Collins is the classic example using gin.
What is the classic ingredient ratio for a Collins?
2 : 1 : 1/2
2 strong, 1 sour, 1/2 sweet, and topped with soda water
Name two classic Collins variations that have extra ingredients added.
- Paloma
- Mojito
What is the key differences between a Punch and a Collins?
A Punch uses juices rather than soda water.
What type of cocktail is sometimes served as a sharing drink?
Punches
Describe Spirit Forward Cocktails.
Spirit Forward Cocktails are strong with a balance of sweetness and bitterness using combinations of sugar, vermouth and bitters.
They are often stirred over ice then strained and served up.
Examples are: Martini, Manhattan, Negroni.
How is ice used in a spirit forward drink?
Ice is used to chill as well as dilute, it is critical to the balance of the drink.
What cocktail has bourbon, aromatic bitters, sugar and is served over ice with a swath of citrus?
Old Fashioned
What is in a Vodka Martini?
Vodka and Dry Vermouth
When a Dirty Martini is ordered, what is added to it?
Olive Brine
How is a Dry Martini made?
A dry martini is made by decreasing amount of dry vermouth in the cocktail recipe.
How is a Wet Martini made?
A wet martini is made by adding more vermouth.
What is a Perfect Manhattan?
Equal parts Dry and Sweet Vermouth
What type of whiskey is traditionally used for a Manhattan?
Rye Whiskey
What type of whiskey is used to make an Emerald?
Irish Whiskey
Using Scotch whisky in a Manhattan is called what?
Rob Roy
