> here are google's various meanings ofthe word mixology
:-(
Actually, that's a collection of links that just happen to have the words
"the", "of", "meaning" and "mixology" somewhere in the page. If you are
looking for the actual phrase, you are best to use quotes around it.
Rather than link to any specific article
(Except this one - yes, it is DJs http://www.mixologymusic.com )
I'd say that to me, the term is best used to distinguish a bar worker from a
drink maker.
In most bars, most ofthe work is pouring beers, opening bottles and making
standard mixed drinks. For many many workers in the bar trade that's all it
is - the most exciting serve of a night may be a tequila shot.
Mixology is about knowing and caring what each and every peculiar bottle
tastes like and goes with.
It's about hearing a random cocktail being described from someone who had it
served to them on holiday last month - "...and I think it had something nutty
in it..." and being able to come up with what they want.
It's about seeing a customer come in and look at the cocktail menu and put it
down again, then deciding what is not on the menu that would appeal to them.
... and being right!
Personally, I don't think much or the term myself. It doesn't (to me) cover
the service side of bar service at all, it's just the drink mixing. A good
mixologist is not by definition a good bartender - any more than a good
flairer is.
Although in both cases the odds are more likely :-)
Me, on my Business Card I put "Cocktailier" - which (to me) encompasses a
little bit more ofthe job than just the mixing, while still being more, um,
specialized than "barman".
.dan.