Basic Bartending Drinks Cheat Sheet: Essential Recipes At A Glance

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As a bartender, having a solid foundation in basic cocktails is crucial for delivering exceptional service and satisfying customers. With so many drink recipes to remember, it can be overwhelming, especially for new bartenders. This cheat sheet will cover the essential recipes you need to know, providing a comprehensive guide to basic bartending drinks.

Whether you're a seasoned bartender or just starting out, mastering these classic recipes will help you build confidence behind the bar and ensure you're prepared to handle any request that comes your way.

Basic bartending drinks are the building blocks of mixology, and understanding the fundamentals will enable you to create a wide range of cocktails with ease. In this article, we'll break down the essential recipes you need to know, including classics like the Old Fashioned, Margarita, and Daiquiri.

Classic Cocktails

1. Old Fashioned

• 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
• 1 sugar cube (about 1/2 teaspoon)
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange peel (optional, for garnish)

Combine whiskey, sugar, and bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until chilled, then strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange peel, if desired.

2. Margarita

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• Salt for rimming glass (optional)
• Lime wheel (optional, for garnish)

Combine tequila, lime juice, and triple sec in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into a salt-rimmed glass (if desired) filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wheel, if desired.

3. Daiquiri

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Lime wheel (optional, for garnish)

Combine rum, lime juice, and simple syrup in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wheel, if desired.

Gin-Based Cocktails

1. Gin and Tonic

• 1 1/2 oz gin
• 4 oz tonic water
• Lime wedge (optional, for garnish)

Combine gin and tonic water in a highball glass filled with ice. Stir until chilled, then garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.

2. Negroni

• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• Orange peel (optional, for garnish)

Combine gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until chilled, then strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel, if desired.

3. Pimm's Cup

• 1 oz Pimm's No. 1
• 2 oz lemon-lime soda
• Cucumber slice (optional, for garnish)
• Mint sprig (optional, for garnish)

Combine Pimm's No. 1 and lemon-lime soda in a highball glass filled with ice. Stir until chilled, then garnish with a cucumber slice and mint sprig, if desired.

Rum-Based Cocktails

1. Mojito

• 2 oz white rum
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 sprig of fresh mint
• 2 tablespoons simple syrup
• Soda water
• Lime wheel (optional, for garnish)
• Mint sprig (optional, for garnish)

Combine rum, lime juice, mint sprig, and simple syrup in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled, then top with soda water and garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig, if desired.

2. Mai Tai

• 2 oz dark rum
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz orange curaçao
• 1/2 oz orgeat syrup
• Mint sprig (optional, for garnish)

Combine rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, and orgeat syrup in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into a tiki glass filled with ice. Garnish with a mint sprig, if desired.

3. Dark 'N' Stormy

• 1 1/2 oz dark rum
• 4 oz ginger beer
• Lime wedge (optional, for garnish)

Combine rum and ginger beer in a highball glass filled with ice. Stir until chilled, then garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.

Vodka-Based Cocktails

1. Cosmopolitan

• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 3/4 oz triple sec
• 1/2 oz cranberry juice
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• Lime wheel (optional, for garnish)

Combine vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime wheel, if desired.

2. Bloody Mary

• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 1 oz tomato juice
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz grenadine
• 1/4 oz hot sauce
• Salt and pepper for rimming glass (optional)
• Celery stalk (optional, for garnish)
• Cherry tomato (optional, for garnish)

Combine vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, grenadine, and hot sauce in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into a salt-rimmed glass (if desired) filled with ice. Garnish with a celery stalk and cherry tomato, if desired.

3. Moscow Mule

• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 4 oz ginger beer
• Juice of 1 lime
• Lime wheel (optional, for garnish)
• Mint sprig (optional, for garnish)

Combine vodka and ginger beer in a copper mug or highball glass filled with ice. Stir until chilled, then add lime juice and garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig, if desired.

By mastering these basic bartending drinks, you'll be well on your way to creating a wide range of delicious cocktails that will impress even the most discerning customers. Remember to always use fresh ingredients, experiment with new flavors, and have fun behind the bar!

What's your favorite classic cocktail? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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