R. Foley

Good bartenders pride themselves on being knowledgeable about cocktail recipes and proficient in the art of properly serving their guests and patrons. With a healthy repertoire of popular mixed drink recipes and the right ingredients at your fingertips, you can be the life of any gathering. © Kolya Korzh / Unsplash.

Running a bar isn’t for the faint of heart. Besides the daily needs of running a bar — for example, what condiments to keep behind the bar and what to put on the menu — you also have to deal with the rigors of management, such as keeping your employees honest, staying on the right side of your state alcohol control board, and dealing with patrons who've had a few too many.

Many drinks require fruit garnishes. Your guests expect the garnish, so you can't forgo it, and you have to do it well. Presentation counts, big time. You may mix the best drinks on the planet, but if they don't look good when you serve them, no one's going to want to drink them.Lemon twistsCut off both ends of the lemon.

Is there any drink more popular than the Espresso Martini? With this recipe, It’s never been easier to prepare and will keep partygoers coming back for more!If you’re looking for fresh ideas to keep your friends or customers happy, Bartending For Dummies is the perfect how-to resource for making a splash with great drinks.

Your bar’s menu really dictates what appliances you need (or more accurately, your appliances determine what foods you can serve). Unless you’re intent on making food a top priority at your bar, your menu should really take advantage of basic kitchen equipment. Keep handy a list of electricians and mechanics in your area.

Owning a bar is an expensive and potentially risky proposition. As with any new business, you budget your costs, forecast your sales, and hope the sales exceed the expenses. But, to be successful, you have to do more than just hope. You need to do your homework and get your detailed plan together first. You've probably heard "Failing to plan is planning to fail," and it's as true in this business as it is in any other.

The cocktail recipes listed here are classics for a reason: They taste good. Whether you’re a professional bartender or just someone who likes to throw cocktail parties at home, you should know how to make these mixed drinks recipes like you know how to make toast. Bacardi Cocktail Bacardi cocktail is the only cocktail issued a copyright from the United States government.

Cocktails can fall into two categories. Some are strange and delightful; a few are strange and, honestly, awful. But cocktails get invented and catch on even though they offend the palates of most people. Maybe they have catchy names. Maybe they look neat when served. Who knows?Here is a list of ten off-the-wall drinks that are worth sampling.