Just Because the Bar Has Great Drinks Does Not Make It a Speakeasy

Every Bar Managers Pet Peeve

Highballs on Draft

Here is a video we did describing the philosophy that we have regarding our cocktails on draft system at Polite Provisions. Hope you enjoy it.

The Bar Minimum...

I recently got an email from a bar owner who had fallen in love with craft cocktails as of late, and was wondering how his bar could take a small step into improving the quality of the drinks they serve.

While many bartenders get questions of this nature all the time, what made this email so refreshing was that the writer of this email had no misconceptions of what he wanted.

He understood that craft cocktail bars are extremely difficult to manage and run, and is not even considering going that route.  He isn't looking for a fancy $15,000 ice machine or self-satisfied bartenders with adorable little vests and suspenders, all he wants is something simple that he can do to improve the guest experience.

In the distant past, I would have told him he was being unreasonable and that you can't take away just one component from the whole and still expect an improvement, but these days I have grown far more pragmatic on making small gains whenever possible.

With that said, to the bar owner or any other aspiring bar manager out there that is looking to make better drinks, I am not offering you any new advice.

I am not going to advocate some exotic cocktail shake from Japan or advise you to only stir drinks on crystal clear diamond-cut ice cubes.  Nope, my suggestion is much simpler and accessible than that.  If you want to improve the flavor of your most commonly sold drinks from front to back, the bare minimum you need to be taken seriously is fresh juice.

Now, before anyone takes issue with this, I do not mean that your bar needs to be hand-squeezing a la minute like many of the country's best bars, all that would be required is homemade sour mix.  The pre-made bottled stuff is most often a disgusting mixture of high-fructose corn syrup and yellow #5, which makes it over-priced regardless of what you paid for it.

Homemade sour mix on the other hand is extremely easy to make, will make your drinks taste delicious, and discounting labor, is very inexpensive throughout the year.  With that in mind go ahead and scrap the shelf-stable bottled stuff for good and your bar will be better off because of it.

Regardless or whether or not, you are just making Margaritas and Kamikazes, homemade sour mix will make your drinks taste infinitely better and do so without much of a commitment and at only a minimal cost.

Homemade Sour Mix 1 part Water 1 part Sugar 1 part Lemon Juice 1 part Lime Juice

1. Juice and strain the lemons and limes.

2. Stir in water and sugar until all the sugar is dissolved.

3. Store in the fridge in tightly sealed container.  Lasts up to a week, but for best results try and use it within 3 days.

A Bar for Every Occasion...

As much as I would like to one day be able to walk into any bar on the street and order a decent rye whiskey or craft beer, I won’t hold it against a bar if they lack the expertise or ingredients to make a Sazerac or Ramos Fizz.  Most bars do not have those sort of dynamics built into their pricing or infrastructure, so it would be unreasonable to expect it.

I think one of the biggest misconceptions people tend to have about cocktail advocates, is that we drink only at venues which spotlight high-end cocktails and fancy ice cubes.  This could not be further from the truth, because despite how much I love a great drink, the last thing I would want is for every bar to provide me with the same experience.

All of us, whether we realize it or not, go to plenty of different bars for plenty of different reasons.  Sometimes we go to celebrate with friends, and sometimes, we go to meditate alone.  Frequently, we wish to engage the bartender with what we are about to have, but just as often we simply want a cold beer and a little peace and quiet.

I know that many of my friends in the community will vehemently disagree with me, but I don’t think every venue has to offer fresh juice and proper technique to be considered a good bar.  Mind you, I do know of a couple of proper dives that will stir your Manhattan and maybe even squeeze fresh lime into your Margarita, and I celebrate them for that, but I would not begrudge them if they didn’t.

I do not go to my favorite burger joint because they are well-versed in French kitchen techniques.  I go there because they have quick, tasty burgers for a good deal.  I would never expect them to offer anything more extravagant, and more importantly, I wouldn’t want them to.

Several years back, when I was still at Bourbon & Branch, I had a bar owner, who had recently discovered classic cocktails, approach me about revamping his venue and turning it into a craft cocktail bar.  He was going to pay me a decent sum and the gig would have taken me six weeks.

It seemed like a good ideal initially, but once I got more information from him, I not only told him no, but I talked him out of the revamp all together.

Here is the deal, the bar that I was meant to retool, had been in his possession for eight years, and had a great local following.  It was near a college campus and was busy with students nearly  everyday, and even more so on weekends.

They did not make any fancy drinks at all, as their clientele came strictly for draft beer, shots and the occasional Long Island Iced Tea.  The location’s pour cost and labor were both very low, and he did not need to spend much on maintenance or advertising.

Without mincing any words, I told him that I would love to work with him on another project down the road, but that he would have to be out of his mind to change anything at his present bar.  It had a loyal clientele, very low overhead and more importantly, it was extremely profitable.

This bar was exactly what the community wanted, fast cheap drinks for a stressed out and financially-strapped demographic.  Unfortunately, most college students have not quite hit their earning potential, so between work, finals and homework this is exactly what they are looking for, which brings me right back to where I started.

The thing that every successful bar realizes from the start, is that before they serve a single drink, they must first serve the community and that comes by fulfilling a role for the neighborhood around it.

The bar cannot run independently of the neighborhood, as any good bar is a part of the neighborhood, and will reflect that in how and what it serves.  Not every bar needs to stock an extensive Italian wine list, just as not every bar needs to stock marshmallow vodka.

Regardless of whether we are drinking a can of domestic beer or a properly made cocktail, all of us go to different bars for different experiences, and it is grossly unfair to say one bar is better than the other.  A more prudent way to think of it, would be to better understand which bar is better for the occasion.

Choosing Your Well...

There are few decisions that will affect the quality of cocktails in your bar more than what brands you choose as your well alcohol, or the term I prefer, house liquor – mostly because it sounds snazzier.  When choosing your house liquor, it is very important that you take many factors into consideration.

Clearly the factor most bar managers take into mind, as least initially, is cost.  However, this does not mean you should stock up on the cheapest stuff you can find.  Although, this is often the case in many dives and nightclubs, as the dim lighting prevents you from seeing the labels, and presumably the company you are keeping.

Of course, this does not mean that you have to pawn off grandma’s pearls to suit your needs either.  As much as we would all like to have Pappy 12 sitting in our well, the fact is, it is difficult to obtain and quite costly when you find it.  Though, I have to admit that would be pretty impressive, if you could pull it off.

If, you are like most cocktail bars, you have already realized that the ideal bottle should be one that is of high quality, yet economical to work with.  Unfortunately, the quest for quality can make it difficult to get a bottle for cheap, but remember, the key is not to aim for cheap, but rather economical -- cause a classy bar like yours doesn’t carry cheap stuff, right?

One nice thing you will notice straight away, is that a few categories offer some incredible values for a low price point, most notably rum -- 3rd world struggling economies -- and bourbon -- got to love government subsidized corn -- being two that stick out.

On the flip side, scotch and mezcal are going to be a couple that sit at the opposite end of the spectrum, with gin, tequila and most of the rest sitting in the middle.  So, it does not hurt to keep those costs in mind while whipping up a “bartender’s choice” for a guest at the bar.

When it comes to looking for high-quality and value, you will have the best luck with the classic brands that have been around for generations.  This is not only because many of them, not all, have a style tailor-made for classic cocktails, but also because all of their initial operating and opening costs were covered decades ago, thus they can now sell premium booze for a great deal.

This is why a distillery like Heaven Hill can make an economical house bourbon, yet a new boutique distillery that just started bottling 6 months ago, might not.  That is not at all to imply that micro-batch spirits should be shunned for cocktails and menu placement.

On the contrary I believe many of them have been formulated specifically with great cocktails in mind.  But unless you have the ability to sell $18 cocktails, most bars do not, be mindful of the liter cost.

If you are lucky enough to manage a bar where you are allowed a dual well, meaning you have one gin for shaken and another for stirred, than you are very fortunate and most bar managers envy your situation.

This is ideal, because it allows you the ability to pick a more aggressive and structured spirit to provide the backbone in a citrus-guided cocktail, such a Whiskey Sour or Daiquiri, and a more subtle and nuanced spirit for drinks, such as Old-Fashioneds and Martinis.

The upside of a dual well is that the liquor choice for your cocktails will most likely be that much more tailored, as to precisely the end result you have in mind.  The downside being that two bottles of everything in your rail will, obviously, take up that much more room.

Also, it is much easier to negotiate weekly price breaks, on twelve bottles of Brand A whiskey, than it is on six bottles of Brand A and six bottles of Brand B.  Not all states have those types of cost cutters built into the system, but for those of you that have access to them, you understand that these savings quickly add up, and can be used towards other things -- such as produce and repairing your Kold Draft machine...again.

Now that we have covered the basics, let’s move on to the next issue at hand: versatility.  So, you picked out a rye for your well; it is coming in at an incredible bottle cost and it makes a decent Whiskey Sour, only problem is it makes a murky Old-Fashioned, but it gets worse: the Old-Fashioned is your number five top-selling cocktail.  See where the problem is?

In your efforts to get a good deal, make sure you are not overlooking the most essential question, and that is how does it work in your cocktails.  Does your house gin make an out of balance Negroni?  Does your house bourbon make an abrasive Manhattan?

These may seem like obvious questions, but you would be surprised at how many otherwise incredible cocktail bars slip up on this very issue.  When you find yourself faced with two options and you are on the fence as which way you should go between choices, try not to focus on the marketing trivia and brand talking points.

The first thing most bar managers do is try them neat and take notes on the subtleties in the spirits between them.   This is a great first step, since this will give you a great foundation on which to make your decision.

But when it comes down to making the final call, I am a big believer that the best way to decide, is to do a blind tasting using your top-selling drinks with said spirit, and see which makes better cocktails.

You will be surprised sometimes, to find that the spirit you prefer neat is often your second choice when mixed in a cocktail.  Too often the small differences we enjoy when sipped, are washed away when shaken up with lime juice and muddled mint. This goes for many of your mixers and sodas as well.  Just because you prefer Brand A Ginger Beer over Brand B to drink as a soft drink, does not mean it makes a better cocktail. The sharp burn of Brand B, which makes it too strong to drink on its own, might be the needed kick you are looking for in your Moscow Mule -- do people still drink those?

On that same note, I have seen a number of bars snatch a seemingly great deal, only to find out later it was not what they bargained for.  Imagine a local bar that moves a ton of Cachaca in their seasonal Caipirinhas.  They are moving about 18 liters a week, which is nothing to scoff at.

Because of the volume they do with this one drink, it gives them the buying power to score some really great deals, and not neglecting this, the bar manager ends up locking down a wonderful aged sipping Cachaca as their house Cachaca.

Unfortunately, the bar was so happy to hook up a good deal that they neglected to see if the spirit even made a decent Caipirinha, or more importantly, a better Caipirinha than a less expensive one -- possibly even one made by the same distiller.

Bottom line, the goal is to find the proper balance between cost and the integrity of the cocktails that you sell.  Do not be fooled by brand tactics and marketing minutiae from sales reps, instead choose a well that work best for the drinks YOU make and the flavor profiles you work with.

Learn not to be bothered by pseudo-connoisseurs, who sneer because you do not have a $70 Cognac as your house brandy, but also know when to make your case against cost-conscience owners, who want to put Gilby’s or Barton’s on your cocktail list.

At the end of the day, it is all about what makes delicious cocktails at a reasonable cost, cause that is what your guests are walking in the door for and those are the folks we should aim to keep happy.

The Agave Cocktail...

"Cocktail is a stimulating liquor composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters--it is vulgarly called a bittered sling and is supposed to be an excellent electioneering potion, inasmuch as it renders the heart stout and bold, at the same time that it fuddles the head."
Balance and Columbian Repository, May 13, 1806

In the modern-era, the term cocktail is pretty much an umbrella term used to classify just about any drink that is a mixture of any combination of juices, spirits, cordials, etc. However, at one time in history, the word cocktail referred to a specific type of drink in particular.

If you'll notice by the definition provided above, the original cocktail was a very bare-bones affair. There is no mention of any muddled fruit, nor any expensive imported liqueurs. It was no-frills and to the point, much as one would expect from a drink being consumed over 200 years ago.

This frame of mind is what brought me to come up with one of our latest market cocktails at Bourbon and Branch: The Agave Cocktail.

The Agave Cocktail is a throwback to a style of drink that is not as common as it once was, but is still every bit as delicious and vibrant as it was back in the 1800s.

The Agave Cocktail:
2oz El Jimador Anejo
.25oz Agave Syrup*
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Combine ingredients in mixing glass and stir well.

Strain over the rocks.

Garnish with freshly-grated organic Indonesian Cinnamon.

*To make Agave Syrup, mix one part Agave Nectar to one part warm water and mix well.

New From the Lab...

As of late, there has been a whole slew of delicious homemade concoctions and potions coming out of Bourbon and Branch.

Over these last few months our crew of talented bartenders, have been crafting homemade banana liqueur, Falernum, apple-cinnamon bitters, turbinado grenadine, and rhubarb syrup just to name a few.

All of these recipes taste amazing alone, and even better in a cocktail, so next time you decide to stop by for a cocktail with us, feel free to ask us about any one of our new creations.

On The Horizon...

All of us here at Bourbon and Branch wanted to let you know that we have been staying busy these last few weeks and that we have a lot of tricks up our sleeve that will be ready to roll out this Spring.

We have been working on everything from a special St. Patrick's Day menu, to special guest-bartenders that might be dropping in, to some new house speciality cordials.

No matter what you are looking for, we will have something tasty to catch your fancy, so stay tuned and we will have something special for you in the days ahead.

Midtown Cocktail Week

Attn: Sacramento Bartenders

Presenting: MIDTOWN COCKTAIL WEEK

When: August 5th-11th

I just wanted to let all you guys know about Midtown Cocktail Week that we have coming up here in Sacramento, Tuesday August 5th - Monday August 11th.

Its a week long celebration of the cocktail here in Midtown and whether you're are a whiskey head, a tequila connoisseur or you just flat-out like to party than there is something planned for you.

Any and all of you are invited to take part in any night of the week, but remember to keep the Monday the 11th open for sure, because we are having an exclusive bartender's ball hosted by Bulleit Bourbon.

I look forward to seeing all you throughout Midtown Cocktail Week, so down below is a full itinerary for the whole week.

If you guys have any questions or concerns please feel free to shoot me an email.

ErickCastro
MidtownCocktailWeek.com

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Midtown Cocktail Week Itinerary
August 5th-11th

Tuesday, August 5th: Cocktail Party Kickoff:
Where: L Bar & Martin Miller's Gin
What: Appetizers and cocktails for towards bartenders, press, industry, etc.

Wednesday, August 6th: The Cocktail Dinner
Where:
1. Mason's & Grey Goose
2. Ink & Diageo
3. Mulvaney's & Brown Foreman
4. Bistro 33 & Corzo
What: Full-course meals across midtown. Cocktails complimenting the dish will be sent out with each course of the meal. Cocktails to be prepared by each restaurant's own mixologist.

Thursday, August 7th: Partida Tequila Mixology Competition
Where: Zocalo
What: Bartender competition meant to highlight the use of fresh produce and high-quality spirits.

Also on Thursday: Guest Bartender Night
Where:
1. Zocalo & Partida
2. Kasbah & Skyy
3. LoungeON20 & Pacific Edge
4. GV Hurley & Ultimat Vodka
What: Talented mixologists from all over US taking over various bars and bringing their own cocktail menus with them.

Friday, August 8th: The Magnificent Margarita
Where:
1. Zocalo & Partida
2. Whiskey Wild & Don Julio
3. Azul & Corralejo
4. Centro & 1800
5. Ernesto's & Patron
What: Participating restaurants across town will all showcase their own seasonal/house margaritas. Twists on the classic will also be encouraged.Prices to vary by location.

Saturday, August 9th: Mysteries of Absinthe Seminar
Where: LoungeON20 & Kubler Absinthe
What: Seminar geared towards those interested in absinthe, yet possibly having a limited exposure to its flavor and history.

Monday, August 11th: Closing Party
Where: Whiskey Wild & Bulleit BourbonWhat: Closeout party for all restaurant and bar industry.