From bartender to bartender, what should I know?!
So...
What drinks are the most popular, and what drinks should I definitely know how to make? I have a drink book but it's thick as the bible and I don't know where to start.
Answers: I recently started working in a restaurant and they just moved me up into the bar. I'm only 19 and so I don't really go to bars and drink. I know some things about alcohol and I know a lot about tequila since the main draw of our bar is our margaritas. But as far as shots/mixed drinks go (think red-headed sluts, jager bombers, irish car bombs, etc) I really don't know ANY. I'm going to have more training before I'm out there bymyself but I want to do some "studying" on my own so I don't feel so stupid when I'm working. :]
So...
What drinks are the most popular, and what drinks should I definitely know how to make? I have a drink book but it's thick as the bible and I don't know where to start.
Maybe start with a beginners level bartening book. I'm sure you don't need a whole bible. Pick up a smaller one with more common drinks and have a friend quiz you on them.
The most common drink in a bar is beer. That's an easy one. Second is your well drinks. These are usually just one shot of booze with a mix like rum and coke or vodka and orange juice (screwdriver).
More complicated ones are martini's (vermouth with vodka or gin and an olive) and cocktails like cosmopolitans (can't remember what's in that one, lol!)
Don't worry about being a little slow when you start. You may have to ask the customer how he or she likes there drink when you order it, or just look it up. It's a little embarrassing at first, but unless your at a fancy bar with 30 year olds, it's going to be all beer and tequila shots.