Bar Basics Checklist
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
BAR BASICS CHECKLIST Take note that this is a work in progress! This will be improved and thoroughly expanded on with time and feedback. Feel free to save this link for updated versions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18uln4CqqFuVXx8hZKRTL87c-_eHJKPeut 0mAFnd1cME/edit?usp=sharing (Version 1.0) BAR EQUIPMENT 1 What are the essential bar tools? 1 What are the essential types of glassware? 1 What are the secondary bar tools I should acquire? 1 Down the track purchases: What bar tools should I hold off on purchasing? 2 Where should I buy bar equipment from? 2 STOCKING YOUR HOME BAR 3 What liquor bottles should I get first to start my home bar on a budget? 3 WHISKEY 3 GIN 4 RUM 5 OTHER LIQUORS 5 What non-alcoholic ingredients should I have on hand? 6 JUICES, MIXERS, ETC. 6 ESSENTIALS 6 OPTIONAL EXTRAS 6 RECOMMENDED COCKTAIL BOOKS 7 What books should be on my shelf? 7 BEGINNERS 7 BEGINNERS / INTERMEDIATE 7 INTERMEDIATE 7 BEST THEMED 7 BEST HISTORY 8 1 BAR EQUIPMENT What are the essential bar tools? ❏ Cocktail Shaker A cocktail shaker can also double as a mixing glass. ❏ Jigger / Measure Always measure your ingredients for consistency. ❏ Hawthorn Strainer Used for straining your cocktail. You can also use this with your mixing glass rather than purchasing an additional Julep strainer. ❏ Paring Knife Essential for cutting fruit, garnishes, etc. ❏ Citrus Juicer (ie. reamer, elbow, etc.) Fresh citrus is an essential ingredient in many classic and modern cocktails. What are the essential types of glassware? ❏ Old Fashioned / Rocks Straight spirits, old fashioneds, sours, negronis, etc. ❏ Coupe Glass / Stemmed Cocktail Glass (ie. Nick & Nora style) Sidecars, daiquiris, martinis, Manhattans, etc. ❏ High Ball Collins’, Mojitos, French 75s, etc. What are the secondary bar tools I should acquire? ❏ Barspoon (28cm+) Makes life behind the bar easier but you can easily use a short spoon, knife or end of a wooden spoon as a decent substitute. ❏ Mixing Glass (500mL or more) A nice sturdy base will make stirring a little easier. 500-600mL is the ideal size as you can mix 2-3 drinks at once. (Note:- dilution and chilling times will then vary) ❏ Julep Strainer Traditional strainer for using with a mixing glass. Some styles have a kink in the neck of the strainer, making it easy to rest on the edge of the mixing glass. ❏ Chopping Board Keep your workspace clean and scratch free! ❏ Peeler If your knife work needs some improvement, a good quality peeler will make your life easier. Disclosure: I own cocktailkit.com.au (the Australian barware store). Please note that some of the links are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission from referring sales. 2 ❏ Muddler You can easily substitute a rolling pin or something you have in the kitchen but if you like making Caipiroska’s, Caipirinha’s, Mint Julep, etc this tool will be well worth a purchase. ❏ Pourers If your making numerous drinks then having a few pourers on hand will save you a tonne of time. Good quality pourers will minimise wastage also. Down the track purchases: What bar tools should I hold off on purchasing? ❏ Ice Mallet / Lewis Bag Ideal for crushing ice if you love Mint Juleps, Swizzles and tiki drinks. ❏ Channel Knife / Zester ❏ Atomiser Bottle Great for misting aromatics, peaty whisky and absinthe on drinks. ❏ Swizzle Stick Handy to have if you love swizzles and tiki style drinks but nothing a long barspoon can’t do. Where should I buy bar equipment from? AUSTRALIA Cocktail Kit US / CANADA Barfly by Mercer, Pina Barware, Cocktail Kingdom UK VonShef Disclosure: I own cocktailkit.com.au (the Australian barware store). Please note that some of the links are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission from referring sales. 3 STOCKING YOUR HOME BAR Not sure what liquor bottles to purchase when first getting started? That’s easy to decide! - do you prefer whiskey, rum or gin? Skip straight to the subheadings below for bottle recommendations and cocktail ideas. What liquor bottles should I get first to start my home bar on a budget? WHISKEY 1. Whiskey - Bourbon or Rye Bulleit, Makers Mark, Buffalo Trace, Bulleit Rye, Wild Turkey Rye, Rittenhouse Rye 2. Sweet Vermouth Martini & Rossi, Dolin Rouge, Carpano Antica (Vanilla), Punt e Mes (technically a bitter style vermouth) 3. Aromatic Bitters Angostura Bitters What can I make with these bottles? (assuming that you have some basic ingredients) ● Old Fashioned ● Manhattan ● Whiskey Sour (+egg white) ● Whiskey Smash (+mint) ● Whiskey Daisy (+grenadine) ● Ward Eight (+grenadine) ● Brown Derby (+honey syrup) Disclosure: I own cocktailkit.com.au (the Australian barware store). Please note that some of the links are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission from referring sales. 4 GIN 1. Gin Beefeater, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire 2. Dry Vermouth Cinzano Dry, Dolin Dry 3. Orange Bitters Regans No. 6 What can I make with these bottles? (assuming that you have some basic ingredients) ● Martini ● Collins ● Gimlet (optional: Rose’s Lime Cordial) ● Southside (+mint) ● Fitzgerald ● Army & Navy (+orgeat) ● Gin Rickey ● Pink Gin ● Gin Gin Mule ● Clover Club (+raspberry syrup) Disclosure: I own cocktailkit.com.au (the Australian barware store). Please note that some of the links are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission from referring sales. 5 RUM 1. Rum - White, Amber & Dark Havana Club, Appleton Estate, Meyer’s Rum 2. Orange Liqueur / Curacao / Triple Sec Cointreau, Triple Sec, Grand Marnier, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao What can I make with these bottles? (assuming that you have some basic ingredients) ● Daiquiri ● Mojito (+mint) ● Cuban Special ● El Presidente (+grenadine) ● XYZ Cocktail ● Havana Sidecar ● Mai Tai ● Planters Punch (+grenadine) ● Dark & Stormy OTHER LIQUORS 1. Tequila 2. Vodka 3. Scotch Whisky 4. Brandy and/or Cognac 5. Campari 6. Cachaca Disclosure: I own cocktailkit.com.au (the Australian barware store). Please note that some of the links are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission from referring sales. 6 What non-alcoholic ingredients should I have on hand? JUICES, MIXERS, ETC. ESSENTIALS OPTIONAL EXTRAS ● Lemons ● Maraschino Cherries ● Limes ● Grenadine ● Oranges ● Orgeat ● Simple Syrup ● Falernum ● Soda / Seltzer Water ● Ginger Beer ● Eggs ● Pineapple Juice ● Mint ● Demerara Sugar ● Agave Syrup ● Honey Syrup ● Raspberry Syrup Disclosure: I own cocktailkit.com.au (the Australian barware store). Please note that some of the links are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission from referring sales. 7 RECOMMENDED COCKTAIL BOOKS What books should be on my shelf? BEGINNERS The Bar Book 3-Ingredient Cocktails 12 Bottle Bar BEGINNERS / INTERMEDIATE Cocktail Codex Liquid Intelligence INTERMEDIATE Death and Co A Spot at the Bar Meehan’s Bartender Manual PDT Cocktail Book BEST THEMED Old Fashioned Negroni Smuggler’s Cove Drunken Botanist Disclosure: I own cocktailkit.com.au (the Australian barware store). Please note that some of the links are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission from referring sales. 8 BEST HISTORY Imbibe! Joy of Mixology Thanks for reading and I hope you found it useful! Feel free to DM me on Insta with any feedback. @stevethebartender Disclosure: I own cocktailkit.com.au (the Australian barware store). Please note that some of the links are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission from referring sales. .