Channel Button

There are 13 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated #1 by Helium's members.

Food & Drink   >

Cocktails

Get a Widget for this title

Cocktails dos and don'ts

Been there, done that.

The first rule of bartending, most do not recognize. Some are "happy drunks" some are "angry drunks". DO NOT tell any person who is drinking that they are drunk. In fact, it is not a good idea to tell them that they have had too much.

Instead, DO tell a drunken person that you, yourself, are too drunk. A person inebriated will somehow understand your being drunk, even though you are perfectly sober. They will even have compassion and empathy for you. The intoxicated will recognize that it is you, who is confused.

Experienced at bartending and waiting tables in a restaurant for the "after hours bar crowd" taught me the above. When someone in the restaurant had a problem drinker, that person always came to me to take care of it. Because I had good experience with intoxication, I had been a town drunk myself.

If you feel you can't handle it, DO NOT do anything more than appease the customer or guest with a drink and DO get the host or manager to take care of it for you. The drink, if confiscated (or not) by the host or manager is their decision, not yours. In most cases, if you handle it yourself without the correct tolerance, you are the one the manager or host will blame for an incident. If the host or manager approves the drink, you are off the hook. Better to make a screwdriver than to drive a screw into your reputation.

"I think that person has had enough", is all you need and is better for you than, "That person has had too much." Remember, a manager is so because of a thing called "responsibility", the manager receiving pay to be responsible in such a manner. A host is the same position except, at a private party; you are in a more precarious situation.

DO NOT take the added responsibility. DO allow the responsible party to make the decisions. If the manager or host denies or approves, the lawsuit is theirs not yours.

The above goes for pregnancy as well. DO NOT be the pregnancy police, if you are, find another vocation (unless you are hosting the party, it is your party, make them cry if you want too). DO learn what you may not know. A glass of red wine will not harm an unborn child. In fact, it can be good for both the mother and the child. Sometimes even a small shot of liquor can be healthy (alcohol can kill unwanted infection of cold and flu, too much alcohol is toxic to you).

Anyone serving a cocktail; DO always make sure your glassware is shiny clean and lipstick smudge free. DO NOT ever serve a cocktail in a blemished glass.


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Cocktails dos and don'ts

  • 1 of 13

    by Duane Kuehn

    Been there, done that.

    The first rule of bartending, most do not recognize. Some are "happy drunks" some are "angry drunks".

    read more

  • 2 of 13

    by Deborah Eyring

    After pouring liquids as a profession for twenty-five years, the DOS and DON'T of elixir mixing are not second nature but

    read more

  • 3 of 13

    by CD Gozzi

    I have given my share of cocktail parties as well as served alcohol professionally. Unfortunately experience is a wonderful

    read more

  • 4 of 13

    by Marie Butzman

    Now an accomplished bartender; I recall my introduction into the world of cocktails as a waitress on Bourbon Street in a

    read more

  • 5 of 13

    by Becka Rizo

    Cocktails do's and don't all depend on the host and the guest bartenders. First on my list is don't squeeze the lime in my

    read more

View All Articles on:
Cocktails dos and don'ts

Add your voice

Know something about Cocktails dos and don'ts?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

Helium Debate

Cast your vote!

Is coffee a health benefit or a health risk?

Click for your side.

242491

Featured Partner

Teachers Without Borders (TWB)

TEACHER CONNECTIONS WRITING CONTEST: November 18 - December 9, 2009 Teachers Without Borders has partnered with He...more

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA