Measuring up to the Pro’s

Colleen Jean-Graham at about.com did a post on her blog called 5 Steps to Better Cocktails.  One of these steps I wanted to add my two cents worth of advice.

 

Measure everything!!!

 

Why do my cocktails at my bar taste better than drinks made at home?  Because everything I pour is measured.  Fun little story here….

 

The first bar I tended, one of the requirements was to accurately pour several different measurements blindfolded.  Seriously!!  I had to do this before any other training was done.  That is how serious my first bar mentor took pouring.  I spent hours of time with a liquor bottle filled with water, and all different sizes of jiggers until I could do this.  Once done, I was allowed to step behind the wood.

 

While it is necessary for the professional bartender to be able to free pour like this.  It is not for the home mixer.  All you need are the right tools.

 

Pour spouts are the little chrome (or sometimes plastic) things that you see in the bottles of bars.  These are great for accuracy and control.  They are available in any good kitchen or bar supply store. The plastic ones are cheaper, but I prefer the metal myself.  These are very handy little gadgets.  But if you are on a budget (they can be expensive) skip them and get yourself a good measuring cup.

 

Oxo makes one designed for small amounts of ingredients ranging from 1 tablespoon to 2 ounces all in the same rig.  This has become my favorite to use.  No more juggling 3 or more jiggers and a set of measuring spoons.

 

Did you catch that??  Yes, I will admit it that I even, as a pro bartender still use a measuring cup on accoasion.  Some of my bottles don’t have Pour spouts on them so this allows me to measure them easily. All drinks rely on the proper balance of flavor, and I want to deliver the best quality cocktail I can. 

 

I hope this gives you a little help the next time you go to mix a drink at home.  But don’t let it take the place of coming by my bar when you are ready for your libation!!