Chapter 8 - The Basic Liquor
Groups
In the bartending business, you gotta start somewhere!
Now that you’re familiar
with the 7 basic serving methods, 8 mixing methods, the 3 glassware
preparation methods, the FreeBartendingSchool.com alcohol and mixer
quantity rules of thumb and have a working knowledge of what garnishes
go where and when, we’re ready to transition into the basic
liquor combinations of 7 primary liquors groups and from there, move
into the differing ways that these liquor groups spiral off into 10,000+
drinks.
Think of these drink combinations
as the primary colors of drink making in that each group we’ve
listed below covers the gamut of the drinks you’ll create, including
all the serving and mixing possibilities.
To simplify things even further,
you’ll find that of these 7 primary liquor groups, 9 times out
of 10, you’ll find yourself using only 4: vodka, rum, gin and
whisky.
Bourbon
Bourbon is a sub-category of whiskey,
although American made with a minimum of 51% corn. Bourbon is arguably
the most popular of the U.S. whiskeys, distilled in Southern U.S. states
such as Tennessee. Popular brands of bourbon
are: Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Old Grand Dad and Old Crow.
Basic Bourbon Combinations
Bourbon Shot Bourbon and club soda
Bourbon chilled Bourbon Collins
Bourbon on the rocks Bourbon and water
Bourbon and Coke Bourbon sour
Bourbon and Diet Coke Bourbon and coffee
Bourbon and Sprite Bourbon and hot water
Brandy
Much like wine, the taste and brand
of Brandy are very much determined by Mother Nature in that the process
of making brandy consists of distilling grapes and other fruits and
fermenting in oak barrels. Brandy is most commonly used as a cordial
and is considered to be a liqueur. Popular brands of Brandy are: E&J
Gallo, Korbel & Christian Brothers
Basic Brandy Combinations
Brandy shot Brandy Collins
Brandy on the rocks Brandy and OJ
Brandy and Coke Brandy and tea
Brandy and diet Coke Brandy and hot water
Brandy and Sprite
Gin
Gin is a distilled grain liquor
based mostly on the juniper berry, but with differing brands including
barley, corn, malt and rye in the production process. Popular brands
of Gin are: Beefeater, Bombay, Gordon’s & Tanqueray
Basic Gin Combinations
Gin shot Gin and OJ
Gin chilled Gin and pineapple
Gin on the rocks Gin and grapefruit
Gin tonic Gin and cranberry
Gin Collins Rum Rum
is distilled from molasses (originally sugar cane) and is predominately
made in Caribbean countries such as Jamaica, Haiti and Puerto Rico.
Rum is aged anywhere between two and ten years with the longer the aging,
the darker the rum. Popular brands of Rum
are: Mount Gay, Bacardi, Captain Morgan’s and Appleton Estate.
Basic Rum Combinations
Rum shot Rum and OJ
Rum chilled Rum and pineapple
Rum on the rocks Rum and grapefruit
Rum and Coke Rum and cranberry
Rum and diet Coke Rum and coffee
Rum and Sprite
Scotch
Alike Bourbon, Scotch is also considered
to be whisky although is spelled with no e, as opposed to American and
Canadian whiskeys. Scotch whisky is made from either barley or grains
and grouped in one of 4 areas of Scotland. Popular
brands of blended Scotch are: Chivas Regal, Balantine, Grant’s
and Johnny Walker.
Basic Scotch Combinations
Scotch shot Scotch and club soda
Scotch chilled Scotch and water
Scotch on the rocks Scotch Collins
Tequila
Tequila, from the Tequila region
of Mexico is produced from the heart of the Agave plant, with its juices
mixed with sugar cane and yeast, then fermented. It’s important
to note that Mezcal, while similar to Tequila, has enough subtle differences
to put it in a class all its own. Specifically, Mezcal is made in another
region and from a specific species of the Agave plant. Perhaps most
notably, Mezcal is known for the worm you can find in the bottom of
the bottle, consumed only by the daring. Popular
brands of Tequila are: Jose Cuervo, Sauza and Patron.
Basic Tequila Combinations
Tequila shot Tequila and OJ
Tequila chilled Tequila and tomato
Tequila on the rocks Tequila and coffee
Tequila and Rose’s lime
Vodka
Vodka is created by a distillation
process similar to other alcohols using a variety of grains, but most
commonly through potatoes. After the distillation process, the liquid
is then filtered through charcoals, sometimes, as much as 3 or more
times! The most universal alcohol, you’ll find yourself using
Vodka in a wide variety of drinks. Popular
brands of Vodka are: Skyy, Stoli, Tanqueray, Gordon’s, Ketel One
and Absolut.
Basic Vodka Combinations
Vodka shot Vodka tonic
Vodka chilled Vodka sour
Vodka on the rocks Vodka and OJ
Vodka and Sprite Vodka and cranberry
Vodka and ginger ale Vodka and tomato
Vodka and club soda Vodka and pineapple
Vodka Collins Vodka and grapefruit
Free Bartending School Test Questions
& Hands on Homework
Please find your test questions
relating to Chapter 8. We’d encourage you to re-read this chapter
at least once, as there is a lot of detail contained within. Most importantly,
do your best to thoroughly cement in your mind the differing combinations
that can be found with each of the primary liquor groups.
We suggest preparing and enjoying
one of the following cocktails as you proceed:
• White Russian
• Zombie
8-81 What are the 4 most common
alcohols you'll find yourself using 9 times out of 10 when making cocktails?
8-82 In what region of what country is Bourbon made?
8-83 Name two popular brands of Bourbon.
8-84 Bourbon is a sub-category of what primary liquor group?
8-85 What is the first step in the creation of Brandy?
8-86 Name two popular brands of Brandy.
8-87 In describing a wider group of alcohols, Brandy is considered to
be a:
8-88 Gin is derived mostly from distilling of the _________ berry.
8-89 Name two popular brands of Gin.
8-90 What region of the world is most Rum made in?
8-91 What makes some rum darker than others?
8-92 Scotch is considered a Whisky or a Whiskey?
8-93 Name two popular brands of Scotch.
8-94 Tequila is produced from what type of plant?
8-95 What is Mezcal's most distinguishing characteristic?
8-96 Name two popular brands of Tequila.
8-97 Vodka is most commonly distilled through what?
8-98 What is the most universally used liquor in drink making?
8-99 Name two popular brands of Vodka.