The complete idiot's guide to bartending

420 Pages·2005·1.261 MB·English

by  Zavatto, Amy

Bartending
by Amy Zavatto
A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Bartending
by Amy Zavatto
A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
ALPHA BOOKS
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Copyright © 2005 by Amy Zavatto
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THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO and Design are registered trademarks of Penguin Group (USA)
Inc.
ISBN: 1-4406-9089-8
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2005928083
Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and
informative material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the author and
publisher are not engaged in rendering professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal
assistance or advice, a competent professional should be consulted.
The author and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or
otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of
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Publisher: Marie Butler-Knight Copy Editor:Janet K. Zoya
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To my in-laws—Aurora and Felix Marotta, Carlos, Josephine,
Christian, and Sabrina Gueits. I realize this career I have seems
a little kooky sometimes. Thanks for always understanding
and giving me the room I need to get this stuff done.

Contents at a Glance
Part 1: Stepping Up to the Brass Rail 1
1 Top Shelf: The Lowdown on Liquor 3
What’s the difference between bourbon and Scotch? What’s
gin made of? Here you’ll learn the boot-strap basics on all
your alcoholic mixables.
2 Jigger Me This 23
In this chapter, I give you all the tools you’ll ever need to
use in your very own home bar.
3 Top It Off and Mix It Up: Garnishes and Mixers 29
More than just a cherry on the sundae, a good garnish
and mix can make a cocktail—and here’s where you’ll
learn all about them. Plus, you get bartending techniques
to shake, stir, muddle, and mix with the best of ’em.
4 The Best Bar in Town—Yours 41
Stocking your bar for minimum, medium, and maximum
entertaining potential.
Part 2: The Recipes 49
5 Bourbon 51
If bourbon’s your whiskey of choice, here are 90 recipes for
everything from Derby Day to any ol’ day!
6 Gin 71
This is the place to go for more than 250 recipes devoted to
your favorite mother’s milk, gin.
7 Rum 119
Dreaming of warmer days, sunny skies, and sandy
beaches? There’s nothing like little rum to soothe you like
an afternoon spent beneath a breezy palm tree. Find more
than 250 recipes right here.
8 Tequila 171
Mexico is so much more than just touristy Cancun. This
beautiful country has so much to offer, including that glorious
agave spirit, tequila. And this beautiful chapter offers 100
recipes.
9 Vodka 193
In Russia and Poland, vodka is the water of life. Here, you’ll
find more than 200 recipes to get an inkling as to what the
fuss is all about.
10 Whisky 231
Is whisky the devil? I think not. But it sure is delicious in these
100-plus recipes!
11 Brandy 253
Sip it straight or mix it up—brandy is such a versatile
liquor that I found nearly 100 ways for you to explore the
world of “burnt wine.”
12 Aperitifs and Cordials 271
Have them before dinner; have them after. Have them
whenever you like—and get a little creative, too, with
these 100-plus recipes.
13 Wine, Beer, and Sake 291
Think wine, beer, and sake are merely for solo sipping? Think
again. Here are nearly 65 recipes to prove that line of thinking
wrong.
14 Punches and Pitchers 305
What better way to save yourself some time and create a festive
atmosphere than with fantastic party punches and pitcher-worthy
potions?Get the best of ’em—nearly 40 in all—right here.
15 Frozen Drinks 317
Frosty and refreshing, there’s nothing like a frozen drink
on a hot summer day. Learn how to avoid overheating by
blending up nearly 40 different kinds right here.
16 Shots 325
Slammers; shooters; shots; call ’em what you like, just be sure
not to sip any of these 65 shots!
17 Nonalcoholic Drinks 337
A drink need not contain spirits to be spirited. Here you’ll
find nearly 80 recipes for nonalcoholic tipples to tempt your
tastebuds.
Appendixes
A Glossary 353
B Where to Get It 359
Index of Drinks 363
General Index 379