As a former bartender, I must be reluctant to mention that although knowing the basic, most popular cocktails is important, it isn’t necessary. Once you learn to create, prepare, and pour cocktails, you will learn naturally the many cocktails. The number of cocktails are endless. In reality, the “basic” cocktails all bartenders should know vary depending on individual demographics and location.
Demographically speaking, the basic cocktails that a bartender must know are cocktails that are generally popular. The most popular drinks vary. You could go into a bar where most request “Irish Car Bombs” and go into a club right beside where most request “Sex On The Beach. If you go into a club, bar, or lounge, what do you order? What do you notice most people order? Those are some thoughts to ponder.
I have noticed that one of the most popular cocktails I have poured has got to be “Sex On The Beach”. This amazing cocktail is very popular with an average, estimated demographic of 21-40. Although, the demographic is lower than some of the other cocktails, it is a drink everyone is destined to enjoy. The Sex On The Beach ingredients include: Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Cranberry Juice, Pineapple Juice, and Orange Juice. You can serve this drink on the rocks with a maraschino cherry or a pineapple slice. It’s more than just a sweet drink, it’s a fun drink, hence it’s name and aura.
The “Long Island Ice Tea” is definitely an amazingly popular drink and one of the basic drinks a bartender should know. The drink is based on with numerous liquors (Gin, Rum, Tequila, and Vodka) and combined with Coke and Sour Mix.
Some bartenders choose not to use Sour Mix, but lemon juice as a substitute. I love the taste of Sour Mix, but when someone requested I make one for them not using it, I would substitute it with lemon juice. I love to add a splash of grenadine for extra flavor and color. This classic cocktail is best served on the rocks, in a chilled glass with a maraschino cherry.
Another favorite is the “Fuzzy Navel” which consists of Peach Schnapps and Orange Juice. If you are a fan of Peaches and Orange Juice, you are destined to love this amazing drink. This drink appeals to mainly women, but you would be surprised at the numerous men who love it and appreciate it. This amazing cocktail is best prepared regular, on the rocks in a chilled glass. Some individuals would rather have this classic drink served with cubed or crushed ice. I like to add a maraschino cherry to this drink.
A lot, I mean a lot of people would ask for a “Whiskey Sour” which is an amazing cocktail that consists of Whiskey and Sweet & Sour Mix. I love to add a splash of Grenadine to add some flavor and color to this popular drink. As soon as you master this easy, yet amazing drink, you are destined to master all of the other “Sours” a customer asks for. Some of them include: Southern Comfort Sour, Amaretto Sour, New York Sour, Stone Sour, and more.
If you love peaches and Vodka, well, you are destined to love the “Screwdriver”. This popular, yet basic drink is very requested. In fact, in my career as a bartender, I think I have poured more screwdrivers than any other drink. This drink is truly popular within any age demographic. Made up of just Vodka and Orange Juice, as simply as it is, it appeals to basically everyone.
Once you are in the business and working as a bartender, you will learn (as I stated previously) many many different cocktails and drinks naturally. You will also become very much aware and understand that everyone is different and has their own individual preferences that reflect on what they like and appreciate, as a result. Someone may ask for a “martini.”
There are many types of martinis. One may request a martini with dry vermouth verses sweet vermouth or prefer two olives over a piece of swiss and a cocktail onion. Most of the time, most people already know what they want. Especially older individuals. It is usually the younger demographics that can’t make up their minds on what to choose and when they choose, it is something expected. However; once you have the basic cocktails in your long-term memory, you are good to go. Remember – The number of cocktails are endless.
