Bartending For Dummies, 6th Edition

Make drinks like a master mixologist with 1,000 recipes

Bartenders are the life of the party—and it’s never been easier to prepare and serve drinks that keep partygoers coming back for more! Whether you want to break into professional bartending or up your ante as a home mixologist, this clear, easy-to-follow guide has you covered. With tips on stocking your bar and working with the right tools and garnishes, as well as information on the latest liquor trends and popular new cocktails, it won’t be long before you hear, “Bartender, may I have another?”

• Concoct the perfect timeless and modern drinks
• Learn how to create perfect low and no-alcohol options
• Replicate everyone’s favorite ready-to-drink cocktails
• Stock your bar with the best glasses and tools

If you’re looking for fresh ideas to keep your friends or customers happy, Bartending For Dummies is the perfect how-to resource for making a splash with great drinks.

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Foolish Assumptions 2

Icons Used in This Book 2

Beyond the Book 3

Where to Go from Here 3

Part 1: Getting Started With Bartending 5

Chapter 1: For Openers: Gathering the Tools and Glasses You Need 7

Covering the Basics: Bar Tools to Have at the Ready 7

Wine opener 8

Cocktail shaker 8

Strainer 9

Adding Other Helpful Tools 10

Pour It Out: Giving Some Thought to Glassware 12

Chapter 2: Methods to the Drink Making Madness 17

Shaking a Drink 17

Stirring a Drink 18

Every Day I’m Muddling 18

Chillin’ on Ice 19

Making the Cut: Common Garnish Shapes 20

Slices 20

Wedges of all sizes 20

Wheels 23

Twists 24

Adding a Little Something Sweet: Simple Syrup 26

Opening Wine and Champagne Bottles 27

Wine bottles 27

Champagne and sparkling wine bottles 28

Chapter 3: Setting Up Your Home Bar 31

Preparing for a Party 31

Situating the bar 31

Serving smartly 32

Stocking Your Bar 33

The basic bar 33

A more complete bar 34

The ultimate bar 35

Picking up mixers and other important supplies 35

The Party Charts: Calculating Liquor and Supply Needs 37

How much liquor should you buy? 37

How many supplies should you buy? 39

Chapter 4: Keeping Tabs: Helpful Charts and Measures 41

Bottle-Related Measurements 41

Bar Measurements and Their Equivalents 42

Beer Measurements 43

Drinks per Bottle 44

Calories and Carbohydrates 44

Part 2: Distilling The High Points Of Various Spirits 49

Chapter 5: Vodka 51

How Vodka Is Made 51

Popular Vodka Brands 52

Flavored Vodkas 54

Storing and Serving Vodka 55

Chapter 6: Gin 57

Quality Gin and How It’s Made 58

Popular Gin Brands 58

Storing and Serving Suggestions 59

Chapter 7: Tequila and Mezcal 61

One Tequila, Two Tequila 61

Types of tequila 62

Popular tequila brands 63

Messin’ with Mezcal 64

The famous worm 65

A few brands 65

Storing and Serving Suggestions 65

Chapter 8: American and Canadian Whisk(e)y 67

How Whiskey Is Made 67

Bourbon 69

Popular bourbon brands 70

Specialty bourbons 71

Flavored American bourbons 72

Rye Whiskey 73

Tennessee Whiskey 74

Canadian Whisky 74

Blended Whiskey 75

Wheat and Corn Whiskies 76

Storing and Pouring the Most Popular Serves 77

Chapter 9: Irish Whiskey 79

What Makes Irish Whiskey Taste So Good? 79

Popular Irish Whiskey