Bartending Drink Recipes Advice?

Question

What techniques can I use to be able to remember all the ingredients in every recipe for drinks? And I have to make 12 different drinks (cocktails, martinis, tropicals, highballs, shooters, cream drinks, etc) in 7 minutes..Is this possible?

Answer 1

Absolutely possible!

My best way to remember what goes in drinks is to taste them.  Taste is a MAJOR memory tool...use it to your advantage!  (Use a stirring straw to sample ONE taste from a drink you don't know).  Also, try to learn them by what major alcohol goes in them (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey/bourbon).

As far as making them, use the last technique I suggested above.  If you have to make a white russian, a cosmo, and an appletini all at once, that helps since they all need vodka.  Line up the shakers (filled with ice) next to each other and pour vodka into each.  Add whatever other liqueurs and mixers you need, shake and pour them up.  Now move on to the next liquor.

This method worked best for me.  I would always pull beer bottles first, pour tapped beer next, then make the simple mixed drinks (that didn't need shakers and only had two or three ingredients), then the complex ones.  You'll find your method/rhythm and make it work for you.  Don't sweat it.  :)

Answer 2

Kimbolee has it right.

Remember what your bases are for each drink (Vodka, Gin) and remember how strong some of them are too.  For example Creme de Bananes is pretty strong and very rarely used as more than one part per drink.  Same with Cacao, and Menthe.  

So, as Kim said, use your taste memory.  Experience and common sense help too!

Answer 3

it sounds pretty hard but making up songs or accranimes always helps me