I've got a great bar in my house, but I'm new at this. Please help!

[Piano Man]

Ok, I have been blessed with a really nice bar this year, and I'm really getting into this thing(there is some sort of power that you get when standing behind it). But I am a newbie at mixing drinks, so I need to ask a few questions. First thing, what is the standard book for bartenders? I heard it was the New York Bartender's Guide. And Second, what is sour mix? I've been to the stores and all I see is sweet and sour mix, not sour( I need it for Long Island Ice Tea mostly). Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Keego]

All I know is Vodka and OJ (not that I'm complaining )

 

[pulse8]

Sour mix is exactly that. It's a sour mix. You can find it at any liquor store and it's usually a green color. Any book will help you as long as it has drinks in it. Get a professional mixing glass and tin if you want to make good martinis and creme based drinks.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Sour mix = sweet and sour mix

A good online bartender thing is: http://www.webtender.com/

 

[pdo]

checkout webtender. I have a big basement. Maybe I'll put in a bar one of these days.

 

[Poncherelli]

Kegerator (or however is spelled) and a nice beer that you and your buddies enjoy always on tap.

 

[Grminalac]

The only thing you need to know about bartending is Tanqueray and Tonic.

 

[Piano Man]

"The only thing you need to know about bartending is Tanqueray and Tonic."

And what makes you think I don't have those? Actually I prefer Bombay.


I think the bars I go to don't put any tequila in the Long Island Ice Tea. Oh well, I'll experiment.

 

[Sluggo]

The first rule of bartending is to remember that real beers dont have twist off tops......the rest is fluff.

 

[Piano Man]

I guess I should have clarified before. This is a hard drink bar only. Next summer I'll build a wet bar with a kegerator.

 

[Farbio]

long island definitely has tequila in it, or at least made the way that it should be.....


for the standard reference in bartending, there isn't one specific book that would be the standard, at least as far as i know, and i wasn't taught any. just get a book or use webtender, they're just fine. i prefer a book as opposed to webtender, cuz alot of time its hard to tell which recipe is the correct one on webtender

 

[KpocAlypse]

beh, Tanqueray, tastes like pine cones....Vodka and lemonade/sour, now thats where its at...
Get some 151 in there as well...