Learning The Art Of Cocktail Mixing

Cocktail making or should I say the art of great cocktail mixing is so much more than just piling a load of different types of alcoholic drinks into a large container and giving it a quick shake or stir then pouring it into a tall glass and sticking a little paper umbrella on top with some sliced fruit garnish. If it is your wish to enter into and progress your career as a top cocktail mixologist, then it is absolutely fundamental to your progression that you not only recognise and understand that there is more to great cocktail mixing than you think but that you actually act upon this knowledge. Cocktails can be stirred, on the rocks, shaken, neat, straight up, with a kick or dirty. It does not matter if you have a preference for any of these styles, you share something in common with everyone else on the planet and that is we all love a well mixed cocktail. It is claimed that cocktails have inspired world leaders, famous artists and poets, socialite parties, a genre of above the knee dresses, business executives and the creativity of bar tenders. Cocktails, in the world today, have had their status elevated from that of spurious additional extra to one that sees them taking centre stage at many fine modern establishments. The amounts of different cocktails that are now available has been driven by the ever developing palates of the discerning cocktail drinker. If it is your wish to be a top cocktail mixologist then with some dedicated training and practice then this goal is certainly attainable and as the cocktail industry is booming then there has never been a better time. Anyone with an interest in or is wishing to teach their staff about cocktails needs to start by learning about the history of cocktails. This should include the origins and evolution of the classics as well as a bit of the glamour and intrigue behind the drinks. The benefits of doing this will be to enhance their appreciation and knowledge of cocktail making and will allow them to entertain their customers. The next step in becoming a confident cocktail bartender is the actual methodology; it is crucial that a bartender knows their way around all the different apparatus of cocktail equipment and learns when and how to muddle, stir or shake. Mastering these skills is essential before moving on to the black art of mixology; being a mixologist means that you will be in the hallowed position of being the creator of new techniques and most importantly new cocktail recipes that will adorn future cocktail menus and lists. Given time you may feel that entering the competition circuits is a viable option that is open to you or you may even consider that the often lucrative paid work with drinks brands is a possibility. To summarise, cocktail recipes are very precise; the amounts and order of the drinks poured cannot be messed with and if you just cobble together something you believe to be a great mix then you will not only lose the interest of a customer who has an educated and discerning palate but they will feel insulted. A top cocktail mixologist is much more than just a bartender, they entertain and they educate the customer and do so in a confident and capable manner and that is why it is imperative that you seek out and employ someone who can give you professional training.