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.
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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
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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,
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Because we're all
in this together.
