For a waitressing job, what liquor and corresponding brands should I know?!
For a waitressing job, what liquor and corresponding brands should I know?
I know there are several brands of vodka, gin, scotch, whiskey, etc. but I don't know what is what. Also, what are after-dinner drinks? Please help me out. Thanks!
Additional Details4 weeks ago
I need to learn this so I can do better on interviews.
Answers:
4 weeks ago
I need to learn this so I can do better on interviews.
After dinner drinks include brandy, cognac, and port wines. Those and the liquor brands you asked about will change from job to job, so telling you specific labels wont help much. Each bar or restaurant will have different labels. However, some brands you should familiarize yourself with include
Vodkas: Absolut, Grey Goose, Ketel One
Gins : Beefeater, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire
Whiskey: Jack Daniels, Maker's Mark, Jim Beam
Scotch: Dewar's, Chivas Regal, Glenlivet
Rum: Bacardi, Captain Morgan, Malibu
These are brands that most bars should have, but like I said, they will change from place to place.
Good luck!
You'll learn very quickly as you go, so just learn some general ones. As time goes on, you'll know everything to you need to know from experience, and listening to your customers.
Your knowledge will accumulate with experience. Your employer should not be put off by asking questions.
The best way to go about this is to study the menu before you interview. Most employers will expect you to know what you are getting into. Even if you just have a general idea of a place you may want to work, drop by and pick up a "to go" menu and/ or take some notes of the operation. From there you can put together a few relevant questions for your interview. Knowing all about all that liquor is just going to take awhile. As mentioned before, be pro-active and prepared first. The rest will come. Good Luck!
and... After, or before, dinner drinks are generally refered to as apertifs (pronounced, aper-teef)
Great answers so for, don't forget to keep in mind that as a waitress you will most likely not be mixing drinks, so if you write down what the customer says and just repeat it back to the bartender even if you don't have a clue what the hell that drink is the bartender either will know or will have a cheat sheet to make sure they mix it right.
Each restaurant has it's own selection of house (aka well - the cheapest), call (moderate price) and "top shelf" brands. A hiring manager won't expect you to know them before working there. However, you can get a leg up AND impress him/her if you ask for a list of the alc's they provide in the diff categories so you can familiarize yourself and become prepared to recommend to customers. After dinner drinks are generally brandy and sweeter liquers, often served with a cup of coffee on the side or as a "coffee drink", such as Irish Coffee. Personally, I think you should get to know the wine list, and what wines go best with different menu items. Diners are more likely to drink wine with the meal than hard alcohol, and will be more impressed with wine knowledge and garner you better tips.
Learn you wine list - those will be the drinks yo are asked about most frequently and a knowledgeable server goes along in this area.
The wait staff does not need the same skills as the bartenders. What you need to know is what the hot selling items are and which specific brands you offer. The bartenders can help you with that. Also, if you're around before opening, get to know your reps. They have all the new info and the contacts that will help you down the road, if you plan to make this your career.
Remember, these are salty characters. Be tactful, and read the Bartender's Guide before asking too many questions. All the basics are in there.
Here's the very basic basics.
Three Main Categories: Beer, Wine, Spirits.
Many types: Lager, Pilsner - Red, White - Vodka, Scotch.
Hundreds of Brands: From Bud to Weihenstephan.
Go to wine tastings and single malt dinners. Read the Wine Spectator, Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter and Guide to Single Malts, and Nightclub & Bar Magazine.
Good luck!