Message 24029 of 39188 in General Discussion

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> 
> What are some good, respectable drinks, that ANY BAR--be it a family 
> restuaraunt, a club, or a corner bar--would know. Webtender has its 
> lists, but they're based too much on the numbers, and mostly the 
> fruit or juice or fuk-u-up noveltys.
>
 
> By respectable I mean simple, easy, not juiced and sweetened to hell, 
> but not as hard hitting as a Martini or a Manhattan.
> 
> Give me a good highball, a good short drink, a good long drink, and 
> even a shooter or two. What do the forums drink?

Ok, respectable drinks... To tell you the truth, I would have classed the 
daiquiri as a respectable drink that most tenders with some kind of cocktail 
knowledge should know... But, with thought, I think that this totally depends 
on where you are in the world... I think this is a really open ended question, 
purely becasue there are so many factors that can influence the knowledge that 
a bar/restaurant possesses..

For example, look at the family restaurants over here in the UK, Wetherspoon 
chains etc... The bar staff are going to know most the spirit mixers, pints, 
they'll know the type of drink that gets drunk a lot... Things like a Long 
Vodka. They have no need to know any cocktails like Manhattens, Martinis etc 
because it is way too far past their port of call. The clientelle they get in 
their pubs are NEVER going to ask for that kind of drink.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the impression, in most bars in the States, 
you should be able to order  most drinks, and for them to be able to make it? 
that they don't need to be classed as a "cocktail" bar for them to be able to 
make a cocktail?

I think it's really different over here in the UK. We have specific bars for 
specific drinking styles.. ie.. student pubs where the bar staff need not know 
anything about the drinks they pour, just how to pull a pint. Wine bars, where 
wine is obv the drink of choice, all the way up to cocktail bars, where I 
would personally expect to be able to order any drink, and if they had the 
ingredients, get it. 

I suppose a studenty type place, any place where it's quick consumption etc, 
should at least know how to knock out a decent gin and tonic, complete with a 
squeeze of lime.

Mid range places, I would expect to be able to order a less requested spirit / 
mixer, say Myers and coke, for them to give me my lime squeezes in the top.. a 
little more product knowledge say.

Cocktail bars; as I said, I honestly expect to be able to order any drink, and 
pretty much get it. I personally judge a bar on it's martinis, but you asked 
for something less hard hitting... Perhaps a margherita, or a sidecar.. A 
bloody mary even..

So, I don't know if I've answered your question, but I hope I've explained why 
it's a bit tough to answer it with just a few drinks...!
k:)