How to Serve Cocktails with Flair

Flair bartending, just as the name suggests, is something that is remarkable to observe. When the handsome man or pretty woman behind the bar mixes you a drink with amazing agility and ostentation, you will be truly entertained, and will possibly end up enjoying your drink and evening even more. The performance is a special attraction and these versatile barmen (or women) are employed just for their unique bartending services.

An expert barkeeper who is able to entertain patrons in an imaginative and fascinating style while simultaneously making their favorite drinks is said to be bartending with flair. Considered a specialized art form or service, flair bartending requires the ability to juggle items like cocktail shakers together with spirit bottles in a way that is extremely entertaining to those that are looking on. In addition, the speed of service and quality of drink is nothing short of amazing.

Becoming fashionable in the 1990’s with the release of films such as Coyote Ugly And Cocktail, flair bartending can best be described as any trick used by a barman or woman in order to entertain visitors while mixing and serving beverages at the same time. The tossing of spirits bottles or the juggling of cocktail shakers are just two of the several techniques that flair bartenders make use of. Several of the more knowledgeable ones can also do bar magic which involves performing close up conjuring tricks. At the end of the day, the primary goal of this type of bartending service is to offer unusual amusement while mixing drinks, and in so doing, bringing value to a customers drinking and/or dining experience.

It all began with the tricks of The Professor, which was the moniker of Jerry Thomas who can lay claim to being the father of American mixology. Over a century ago, Jerry conducted an experiment where he created a new cocktail by blending Scotch Whiskey and streams of hot water, and the cocktail, which became known as the Blue Blazer, turned into an instant hit all over the world. Following this success, flair bartending became increasingly in demand as a specialized event meant to enliven occasions where drinks were served. Because bartending with flair brought spice and flair to any gathering, this was successfully used as a vehicle for advertizing related products and establishments. Numerous top-notch establishments and products have been successfully launched with the assistance of events featuring bartenders with flair. Nowadays, you even have institutions that offer professional bartending school tuition and certificates in this type of bartending.

If you have plans to call in at a bar or pub for a refreshing drink tonight, then consider one that offers professional flair bartending. If you have the time for a few drinks and some entertainment, then why not enjoy some awesome, visual entertainment that flair barmen or women provide.

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How To Become A Successful Bartender

Setting up your own bar is actually quite easy to do.  There are however, a few things that good bartenders need to know to run a bar efficiently.  In order for a bar to succeed, you’ll need to have the basic wines, liquors, and spirits – along with the right equipment.  Although these things are essential, bartenders also need the proper technique for mixing drinks and cocktails as well.

With bartending, the location of the bar is very important.  The bar should be placed in an area that is easy to reach and provides plenty of space behind it.  There should be plenty of room for glasses and drinks, along with a chair or two as well.  The bartender has to learn the area behind the bar, and know everything about it.  Bartenders need to know their area well – and how to perform their mixing duties when business heats up.

Another job bartenders have is knowing their drinks.  Bartenders are responsible for serving and mixing drinks, which is a wide variety to say the least.  It can be nearly impossible to know every possible drink mixture, why is why most bartenders use mixing lists hidden under the bar to help them know what goes in each drink.

Bartenders don’t have a lot of time to mix drinks, which makes it nearly impossible to read each and every label.In order to come out of this tricky situation, you can try arranging your alcohol and drinks a certain way, to ensure that you know where everything is.  This way, when business picks up and you find yourself short on time – you’ll know where everything is.

To become a successful bartender, or mixologist, it takes years of practice.  There are several styles of bartending as well, including the well known and very impressive flair style.  Flair bartending involves very impressive techniques and tricks, which will leave customers truly amazed.  Flair is the hardest style of bartending to perfect, taking years and years of practice.  Flair bartenders all around the world will tell you that flair brings the most crowds – although it can also cost a lot of money in broken bottles along the way!

Each and every bar should also have the basic spirits, such as Tequila, Vodka, Rum, and Gin.  There should be also be fruit juices on hand as well, such as lemon juice, orange juice, and even pineapple juice.Mixed drinks often require fruit juices, consider screwdriver- which are a find blend of Vodka and orange juice.  Mixed drinks are very popular, making it essential for the bartender to be a good mixologist – and have the right materials on hand at all times.

A lot of drinks that bartenders mix will require special gadgets such as shakers, measuring cups, rinsing bowls, and straws.  Shakers are the most commonly used gadget, as they are essential for mixing alcohol.  Bartenders will also need to keep cloth on hand as well, to quickly clean up spills and wipe down the mixing area from time to time.

As a career, bartending can provide you with a lot of money.  If you go to college and learn the techniques required for bartending, you can make more money than you ever thought possible.  The job is high paying, a lot of fun, and a great way to meet new people.  There are a lot of colleges and universities that offer bartending, or you can study online.  No matter which way you go – bartending will be a lot of fun and will take you far in life as an exciting career.

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This post was written by wine on May 17, 2009

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