Barware Tips
Do you grab just any glass when you want milk, pop, or your morning juice? Did you know that beer glasses should never be used for milk, juice, or soft drinks because a residue of sugar, that will affect the presentation of the beer, is left behind in the glass? Glasses with a residue should be scrubbed with a nylon brush.
Can the type/style of glass possibly affect the drink? Perhaps not the actual taste, but the appearance and the consistency of the drink, which can affect your psychological impression of the taste. Make sure your collection of barware is complete enough to allow for a new glass to be used with each new drink. When serving cold drinks use cold glassware; hot glassware should be used to serve hot drinks.
Are you guilty of using this dangerous shortcut? By using the glass to scoop ice, the rim of the glass can be damaged and an ice chip can fall into the glass. Also, barware that is stored improperly, with metal utensils touching glasses or glasses rubbing against each other, causes scratches and reduces the strength of the glassware. Inspect glasses frequently, and never use barware that is chipped or cracked.
Liquor Guide
A plethora of flavors merge to make the finest liquors: the tastes of caramel, oats, coffee, wood smoke, maple syrup, and oak meld into exquisite bourbons. Oranges, pears, raspberries, grapefruits, peaches, lemons, and vanilla taunt the palate in sophisticated varieties of vodka - as well as fervent blends with Mediterranean roses, passion fruit, and strawberries. Almonds and spices blend into a seductive amaretto and sweet butter, molasses, and spices mellow into exotic rum.
Wine Glass Selection
Next time you raise your wine glass and savor the aroma and taste, consider this: among the world's fruit crops, grapes rank first. Worldwide, 20 million acres of grapes are planted. There are 10,000 different varieties of grapes in existence, and it takes approximately five years to harvest a commercial crop of grapes from a newly planted crop of vines. And, it costs 70 cents of grapes to fill a wine glass with a $20 bottle of wine.
Popular Martini Recipes
The martini is the drink of sophistication. Many countries claim to have invented the martini, but its popularity on Wall Street and standing invitation to big-business lunches is credited to John D. Rockefeller and his recipe of London Dry Gin: dry vermouth, bitters, lemon peel, and one olive. Winston Churchill drank the driest martini. History tells that he looked toward France as he passed the unopened bottle of vermouth over his glass of gin.
Decanters
Wine should be gently poured into a decanter, leaving the sediment behind in the bottle. The finest decanters are designed to trap a small amount of wine and sediment in the bottom, and should be washed with clear warm water. For stubborn wine stains, use warm water and an effervescent dental cleaner. Dried residue is easily removed by placing a small amount of raw white rice and warm water in the decanter, gently swishing, and rinsing thoroughly.
