UNIT 9 --- Behind the Bar

Behind the Bar 

           Tending bar requires special skills, such as learning special recipes, measuring, mixing and serving drinks, and chatting with guests. No matter which country you are working in, you are sure to come across English patrons who want a cold drink. Study the lists and expressions bartenders use. Then read the dialogue and check your understanding.



   Glassware

Brandy snifter 

half litre/litre           a glass container for serving house wine
highball glass          a tall straight glass

martini glass 

mug                      a cup or glass with a handle used for hot beverages
pint glass            20 oz glass for draft
pitcher/jug            approximately 60 oz container for draft or water
rock glass/tumbler             short glass for mixed drinks
shot glass                   1 oz glass for shots and shooters
sleeve               12 oz glass for draft

wine glass 

 

       Classic Cocktails

         There are many different ways to prepare classic cocktails. Every bar or restaurant has rules about how much alcohol to put in a cocktail and how to build it. The following recipes do not contain specific amounts. Use them to learn the names of the cocktails, liquors, and mixes.

Black Russian          vodka, coffee liqueur, on ice (for a white russian-add milk)
Bloody Mary             vodka, tomato juice, tobasco sauce, worchestershire sauce, salt, pepper, celery salt, slice celery, on ice
Cosmopolitan          vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, lime, on ice
Daquiri                      light rum, lime juice, sugar, blended with ice (for a strawberry daquiri use strawberry mix or syrup)
Long Island Iced Tea     vodka, gin, rum, orange liqueur, lemon juice, cola, on ice
Margarita                 tequila, lime, salt, blended with ice
Martini                      gin, dry vermouth, (garnish with olive)
Pina Colada            rum,coconut milk, pineapple juice, blended with ice
Screwdriver             vodka and orange juice, on ice
Tom Collins            gin, lemon juice, sugar, soda water, on ice

      Common Liquor
Gin                       clear alcohol flavoured with juniper berries
Liqueur             various sweet alcohols
Rum                  clear alcohol made from sugar cane, origin Caribbean
Vodka             clear alcohol made from grain or potato, origin Russia
Whisky (Rye in Canada)         light brown alcohol made from grain, origin Scotland
Tequila             golden or clear alcohol, origin Mexico

     Beer and Coolers

Domestic                beer from country that bar is located in
Local                       beer brewed nearby
Cans                       beer served in a tin
Bottles                    beer served in glass bottle
Draft                         beer on tap
Keg                         beer in a large barrel
Ciders                   alcoholic drink from apples or other fruit
Coolers                 premixed and bottled alcoholic drinks

Sample Conversation

Bartender : Hi there. What can I get for you?

Guest : I need something cold.

Bartender : You've come to the right place.

Guest : Do you have any specials on?

Bartender : We have highballs on for half price.

Guest : Sorry, I meant for beer.

Bartender : Our beer special tonight is a pitcher of local draft with a half dozen wings for $12.99.

Guest : I guess I should have brought a friend. I think I'll just have a Heineken for now.

Bartender : Sure, would you like that on tap or in a can?

Guest : Do you have it in a bottle?

Bartender : No, I'm afraid we don't.

Guest : That's okay. I'll take a pint.

Bartender : A pint of Heineken coming up.

Guest : Actually, you better just make it a sleeve.

Bartender : Sure. And should I start you a tab?

Guest : No, I'm driving. How much do I owe you?

Bartender : $5.25.

Guest : Here's 6. Keep the change.

Bartender : Thank you.