The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, February 24, 1977, Page page 12, Image 12
age 12 daily ncbraskan thursday, february 24, 1977 rink mfacology5 By Carta Ensstrom When done right, mixology is a culinary art. All too often individuals don't understand that making a good drink means using exact proportions. If done properly, the liquor should blend in with the mix and not overpower the drink. Currently there is a debate among bartenders concern ing the jigger or free pour (count) method when mixing drinks. For most bartenders, the free pour method is used after years of applying the jigger method. Instead of using a jigger, one an a half ounces, to measure, a bartender will count to himself and judge the amount needed. The time it takes to count to five is about one jigger. Many bartenders swear they can pour exact amounts with the free pour method, used when speed is necessary in making drinks. However, for an establishment to make a profit, it's necessary to get 28 drinks out of a bottle, but it's difficult to make consistent drinks using the free pour method, he said. Jigger method For laymen, the jigger method is recommended. It's also helpful, since ice is the first ingredient that should be put in the glass. One should be aware that the volume of ice differs and if using the free pour method quantities can differ and be inconsistent. Regardless of the method used, some tips to remember when mixing drinks are: Don't skimp on the ice, fill the glass full with cubes for highballs and avoid using ice with a "refrigerator" taste. Ice should be clean, hard and dry. Try not to run water over ice cube trays because it causes cubes to stick together when placed in an ice bucket. For shaker drinks, use cubes, because there's less dilution than if crushed or cracked ice is used. The cubes also help mix the drink. After the drink is shaken, pour immediately. Cracked or crushed ice must be used in blender drinks, since most blenders can't accommodate cubes. To make them, use either a manual or electric ice crusher or place ice in a strong towel and break with a hammer. However, Frappes are served over crushed ice in a chilled cocktail glass. Shake or stir It's easy to know when to shake or stir drinks. If a drink is made from only clear liquors, then stir (the Stinger is one of the few exceptions). Shake drinks having ingredients like eggs, fruit juice, cream or sugar. To chill glasses, bury them in cracked ice or chill until a frost forms (about 10 minutes). Cocktail glasses should always be chilled. For drinks that use sugar, one can use powdered sugar, which gives a clouding effect, or finely granulated sugar. ) is cuilna ry arc However, most bartenders prefer Simple Syrup, since it blends easily. To make, boil one cup of water, then .stir in one cup of sugar, simmer for one and a half minutes. Mixture will reduce to one cup. Substitute equal amounts in recipes that use sugar. Equipment for the bar should include a double-ended measure-jigger shot on one end and pony shot (which is bigger) on the other, a corkscrew, measuring spoons and cup, a lemon-lime squeezer, a long-handled barspoon, a mixing-glass-and-shaker set, a bottle opener and a strainer. In addition, a stirring rod, and ice bucket, a martini pitcher and an electric blender are useful. Glassware should be attractive since many types are available, but with a small budget, can be limited to two kinds. The two essentials are the old-fashioned glass and the all-purpose wineglass. . If one prefers a larger collection of glassware it can include cocktail, brandy snifter, Delmonico or sour, champagne shell, cordial, zombie and. highball or collins glasses. Respected bar guide books include Playboy's Bar Guide, $.150, Mr. Boston's Deluxe Bartenders Guide, $2.50 and Trader Vic's Bartender's Guide, $7.95. . " See recipes on p. 13 ify """N ' "" Ill tell ya, foil ... A Story Behind Mixology On the way to my favorite tavern, I saw a Black Russian chasing a Pink Squirrel. The Black Russian wis being aided in the chase by some chick named Margarita, who was driving a Gold Cadillac, owned by her husband Elmer Fudpucker. The chase lasted for days and days until just out side of Manhattan, in a small town called Martini, the chase came to a halt when the Black Russian stepped on a Rusty Nail and the Gold Cadillac ran into a Sidecar. This caused such a commotion that the whole group was arrested by some cop named Tom Collins and thrown in the Singapore Sling where they ended up in the same cell with some chick named Bloody Mary noted for the Sloe Screw. JJ Old-Fashioned 6 to 10 ozs. All-purpose wine 8 to 1 1 ozs. Zombie 14 to 21 ozs. Highball or collins 8 to 1 1 ozs. Cordial . 1 cz. . 1 You Can't Have a Party Without Us, mm : -P! Vl 1 ' C v 4 V"f-C -"Or ' ft s . V7 V V W Because we're all in this together.