Saturday, June 1, 2013

Bartending 101: Garnish Tips

By Kanyon Walker


One of the most important parts of a drinks overall appearance and appeal is the garnish. Most customers know exactly which garnish their drink should be served with. Garnishes add to the drink's appearance and some affect the taste. If a garnish is forgotten, the customer may become dissatisfied, and future bar sales along with the bartender's tips will be affected.

The garnish should be fresh, prepared properly, and add to the appearance of the drink. The flavor of the garnish should be compatible with the flavor of the drink.

When getting orange slices ready for your garnish, they should be toothpicked together with a cherry prior to actually needing them. An orange and cherry combination picked together is referred to as a "flag" or "butterfly", depending on the order in which they are picked together.

All drinks containing pineapple juice should get a pineapple wedge for a garnish. If you work at any type of resort type bar that sells tropical drinks, you will go through a lot of pineapple wedges. Most corner bars in the cities and suburbs do no stock this garnish. Instead they will substitute with oranges and cherries for their more fruity drinks.

Lime wedge garnishes are found in most all drinks containing tequila, this includes margaritas.

Lemon wedge garnishes are popular in most vodka drinks.

Garnish Tips:

1. Always make to stock up on your garnish supply before your shift. Keep an extra supply in the fridge so you can swap out whenever the first batch gets used up.

2. Drinks should be filled with ice so that your garnish can set right on top without falling out. For drinks containing lime or lemon wedges, squeeze them into the drink, then rub the garnish around the rim of the glass before putting them on top. Make sure to cover your hand around the garnish while squeezing so as not too spray anyone around the bar.

3. Set the garnish wedge into the drink.

4. Set any lime wheels onto the rim of the glass.

5. Squeeze any lemon twists into the drink, then rub the fruit around the rim of the glass.

6. All coffee drinks should get whip cream.

7. All hot tea drinks should get a lemon twist.

8. A lemon twist can be added to most champagne and white wine drinks.

9. A lime wedge can be added to most tonic drinks.

Follow these garnish guidelines and your bartending shift is sure to be a success!




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