Maximilian Tagher 19 Jul 2011
11:18 am

Besides letting customers see the drink as you make it, is there any reason to make the cocktail in the glass rather than the shaker tin?

Chris Milligan 20 Jul 2011
9:03 am

Lots:  Yes , the guest seeing the drink ebing made.  Second, if you have to walk away becaseu you ran out of an ingredient or have to bust up a fight, you can see where you left off.

Charlotte Voisey 26 Jul 2011
9:49 am

Thanks Chris, yes exactly I like the visual reference of knowing where I am with a drink in case I am distracted by good conversation.  I also personally find it easier and quicker to break open glass on tin as opposed to tin on tin.

blair frodelius 28 Jul 2011
9:44 am

Charlotte,

Would it make sense to add the spirits last, in case of accidentally pouring too much of a modifier, a sweetener, or citrus juice into the mixing glass?

Cheers!

Blair Frodelius
http://goodspiritsnews.wordpress.com

Charlotte Voisey 11 Aug 2011
4:31 pm

Blair

Good catch!  It is a good idea to add the expensive spirits last in case mistakes are made and one needs to start over with the cocktail.
From a different angle I like to formulate and train bartenders on new recipes by learning the ingredients in pairs where the quantity is the same - for example 3/4 oz gin 3/4 oz scotch 1/2 oz lemon 1/2 oz simple etc etc.  This seems to help them remember a cocktail recipe, which in turn means they are less likely to make a mistake and they will also serve it quicker as they only pick up the 1/2 oz side of the jigger once.
As long as there is a good reason for the method which you choose to employ when fixing a cocktail, that is the main thing.

Cheers to you!
Charlotte

Luke S 30 Aug 2011
1:45 pm

Hi Charlotte,

Wouldn’t a third important reason to shake/stir be to add water / bring down the proof of the drink?

Glad to have another cocktail aficionado posting videos / recipes here on small screen network. The more, the better.