Buttery Nipple Shot

About as simple as they get. Perfect for a round of shots with your friends when everyone has had enough vodka and jello shots.

15% Alcohol
You will need:
1 oz (3cl) DeKuyper Buttershots liqueur
½ oz (1.5cl) Irish Cream (Bailey's)
Chilled shot glass

Instructions:
Pour buttershots into the shot glass. Carefully pour the Irish cream on top to form a separate layer. Chug.

Tips:
Look at the picture. Aim to copy the one on the right. The left one is for a girl who can't take the heat.
You can add a twist to this shot by pouring 1 tsp (5ml) grenadine into it (pour after buttershots, let it sink to the bottom, then add Irish cream).

Pro Dirty Vodka Martini

If you are feeling like treating yourself or the lady to a very special drink, want to impress your boss, or simply find that your usual Dom Pérignon is not classy enough.. this drink is for you. More expensive and time consuming to shop for and create than a usual Dirty Martini, but infinitely more rewarding


You will need:
3 oz ice cold Absolut or Grey Goose vodka.
½ tsp (2.5ml) Noilly Pratt vermouth
3 bleu cheese stuffed olives
3 toasted almond slivers
1 fancy, short cocktail stick
pre-chilled shaker half filled with ice cubes
pre-chilled cocktail glass

Instructions:
Pour the vodka into the shaker. Let it stand while you pour the vermouth into your chilled cocktail glass. Swirl it around a few times to cover the entire inside in a thin layer and then pour out the rest. Shake the vodka well and strain it into your cocktail glass. Take the almond slivers and slide one into each olive, then spear the three olives on the cocktail stick. Slide the speared olives into the cocktail glass so they are resting elegantly along one side with the top of the stick remaining above the surface. Enjoy.

Tips:
Prepare this in front of your guests, or close to them so that they see how delicate a creation their drink goes through. Prepare first so you know what you are doing and don't screw up in front of them.
You can use Absolut Peppar instead of normal vodka. In this case, lose the almonds and bleu cheese stuffed olives and use jalapeño stuffed olives instead.

Enjoy!

Simple Dirty Vodka Martini

As per request, here is the recipe for a simple Dirty Martini. This is the one you will usually get at medium priced bars and clubs, and the one which is easiest and cheapest to mix for a bunch of guests.

Alcohol: 30%
You will need:
3oz (9cl) vodka (Absolut)
1 oz (3cl) dry vermouth
½ oz olive brine
olives (1-3)
ice
cocktail glass
shaker
cocktail stick

Instructions:
Fill shaker halfway with ice. Pour in the vodka, vermouth and olive brine and shake well. Strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass. Spear the desired number of olives on the cocktail stick, add it and serve.

Tips:
It is important to note that you should, once again, try to balance this drink to your own liking. Some people prefer their Martini very dirty and add 1½ oz (3 times as much!) olive brine and up to 6 olives. Some people use only a tiny splash of vermouth, or leave it out completely. It is up to you to discover what you prefer.

Enjoy!

Sorry for the delay

I have been really busy today and haven't had a chance to write up a proper post. Tomorrow I have a lot of important administrative work which has to be sorted out before I travel to Belgium (aka Beer Heaven) on Saturday, so I need my sleep.
As an apology for this, I am giving you 3 new recipes tomorrow.

Take care and party hard,
Dave

Amaretto Sour

Yet another incredibly simple, delicious classic. Many women love this, so it may be a interesting new drink to make or order for the girl in your life.

Alcohol: 24%
You will need:
1½ oz (44ml) amaretto almond liqueur
1-2 splashes of sweet and sour mix
Ice
Shaker
Old-fashioned glass
Garnish: maraschino cherry and a twist of orange.

Instructions
Fill the shaker halfway with ice cubes and add the amaretto and sweet and sour mix. Shake well. Strain into glass. Remove the strainer from the shaker and drop 2-3 of the ice cubes into the glass. Add the cherry and the orange twist to the glass.

Tips:
DO NOT add soda or syrup to this drink. The amaretto is more than sweet enough and the maraschino cherry is already pushing it.

Enjoy!

Black Russian

Simple, deliciously smooth and a true classic. This is a real value for money drink with 35% alcohol, and yet it is really easy to drink.

You will need:
3/4 oz (22ml) coffee liqueur (Kahlúa)
1 ½ oz (44ml) smooth vodka (Grey Goose)
Ice
Old-fashioned glass

Instructions:
Put ice into the glass and pour the ingredients over. Let the drink sit for about half a minute to cool before drinking.

Tips:
Do not let the drink sit for too long or the ice cubes will melt and dilute it.
The basic measurements are 2 parts vodka to 1 part coffee liqueur. The measurements given in oz are for a standard bar size serving.
To make a White Russian, simply add a splash of light cream or milk. Experiment to find your personal balance.

Enjoy!

Decoration Tips

When you have to decorate a drink, many recipes will tell you to "garnish" with an ingredient - typically a slice of lime or orange.
When choosing a decoration for your drink, it is important to think of four main factors:

1) The decoration should compliment the taste of the drink or have a neutral taste.
2) The decoration should never overpower the taste of the drink itself.
3) The decoration should contrast the colours of the drink and look good.
4) The decoration should be appropriate for the class of drink and the people you are serving it to - no umbrellas and straws in your dad's brandy!!

It is also important to make the correct size decoration - very thin slices of fruit will fall apart or hang and look messy while thick slices of fruit will look silly or worst of all overpower the taste of the drink.

Here are some classic decorations:
Maraschino Cherries - You should always have plenty of these ready when you are making cocktails. They are available in different colours and flavours and are extremely popular to garnish with.

Straws - So cheap and simple, and they come in thousands of colours. They are essential for many types of drinks, especially cocktails.

Frosting - Many drinks including Margarita's and Bloody Mary call for lining the edge of the glass with sugar or salt. To do this properly, take the EMPTY glass and rub the rim with a piece of lime, then press upside down in a small bowl of the wanted frosting. Do not try to pour it onto the edge, and do not try to add it after you have poured the drink.

Cocktail Sticks - The name says it all. Use these to spear several pieces of fruit for a cocktail. You can get wooden or plastic ones, and plastic sticks will often be washable and reusable and have some sort of design at the top.

Citrus Twist - One of the most used garnishes, and often added to water and soft drinks at restaurants as well. Cut a thin slice of lime crosswise, twist it and put it in the drink or on the rim of the glass. If you cut a thicker slice and do not twist, it is referred to as a wedge.

Citrus Peel - Very beautiful and versatile decoration. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin of a lime in a circular motion. Make sure to cut only the outer skin as the pith below is very bitter. Use the strips of peel to make long spirals, small half moons or carefully tie a knot on the peel and drop it in the drink.

Mini Umbrellas/Parasols - Mostly used for exotic cocktails and girly drinks, these small silly decorations can compliment a good drink very well. You can also use them to spear fruit.

Enjoy!

Long Island Iced Tea

This classic drink is among the top 5 most popular cocktails and is the basis for many other mixed drinks. It does not actually contain tea, but it does taste slightly like it. Because so many variations exist, I can't post the exact alcohol percentage. Play around with this recipe to perfect it for your own taste.

You will need (measurements in parts for easy personal adjustment):
1 part vodka
1 part (good!!) tequila
1 part rum
1 part gin
1 part triple sec
1½ part sweet and sour mix
Enough Coca Cola to fill the glass and give colour.
Ice
Collins glass (or large high-ball glass)

Instructions:
Pour all ingredients into a shaker and shake very briefly (once or twice). Pour back into the glass and make sure it is bubbling at the top.

Enjoy!

Types of glasses

Today I will briefly explain some different types of glasses commonly used in bar tending. If you want information on a more rare glass not mentioned below, request it in the comments.

Beer glass: Often tall to let you see the colour and carbonation clearly and wider at the top to keep a nice head of foam. Some glasses may have stems to protect the beer from heating by the drinker's hands. Usually 25cl, 33cl or 50cl.

Beer mug: Large and thick-sided. Will usually carry a pint or 50cl but occasionally seen in 1 litre size. They are sturdy and heavy and therefore good all purpose glasses which will rarely break even if the user is quite drunk. They also have a handle for people with smaller hands to be able to hold them and to protect the beer against heating.

Cocktail (Martini): Triangle shaped bowl with a long thin stem. Used for straight up drinks, meaning no ice and little or no non-alcoholic liquid added. The shape is mainly for a classy appearance.

Snifter (Balloon): Large bowl on a short stem. Wide at the bottom and narrow at the top. This glass is used for brandy and some beers. Only about 5cl (1.7 oz) of brandy is poured in so that it reaches the widest point of the glass. The width is for evaporation and the narrow top is to trap aromas. Usually cupped in one hand to warm the brandy and increase evaporation.

Highball: Tall, slim and straight sided glass holding 8-12 oz. Used for most mixed drinks, especially those on the rocks (containing a lot of ice) and/or mixed with soft drinks. A Collins glass is an even taller version.

Old-fashioned: A short, wide, round glass, typically with a thick bottom. Holds 8-10 oz and is used for cocktails or liqueur served on the rocks.

Shot glass: Very small glass used for liqueurs, but mostly vodka. Sometimes used for mixed drinks, especially when buying a whole shaker to share with friends. Typically holds 1-3 oz with many many different sizes in between. Often decorated and bought as souvenir. Sometimes dropped into cocktails like Jäger Bombs or Boilermakers.

Jäger Bomb

A very simple and popular drink which has been made illegal to serve in some countries due to the combination of caffeine and alcohol possibly affecting people with a bad heart. Like all alcohol, drink responsibly and at own risk.

Alcohol content: 7%
You will need per serving:
Half a can of energy drink (preferably Red Bull)
2 oz or 6cl Jagermeister
Shot glass (2oz or larger)
Large glass

Instructions:
Pour energy drink into large glass. Pour Jagermeister into shot glass. Serve in front of customer or guest by dropping the shot glass into the large glass. Chug.

DO NOT SPLASH! Some people take "bomb" a bit too literally and drop the shot glass from very high up, splashing energy drink on everyone around them. Drop it close to the surface or float it on the surface and then push it under. Also, don't choke on the shot glass when you slam this drink down your throat.
You can also choose to pour the Jagermeister very slowly across the energy drink and make a layered drink.

Enjoy!

Bloody Citrus

For the blog's first ever recipe we will begin with something simple, yet fresh and delicious.

Alcohol content: 9%
You will need per 1 serving:
Citrus Vodka (2 oz or 6cl) - Absolut Citron is a good choice.
Apple Juice (6oz or 18cl) - the smoother the better.
Grenadine Syrup (3ml) - adjust for desired sweetness.
Ice (3-8 cubes)
Highball Glass - medium or large

Instructions:
Add ice to glass, pour syrup slowly. Add vodka along side of glass. Fill slowly with apple juice. Avoid stirring or shaking before serving to preserve appearance.

This cocktail can also be adjusted with lime juice and white rum to give a less sweet taste.

Enjoy!