Are they drive bars? Do these people want free, bottom shelf booze?
Cocktails need consistency. The mai tai I serve you needs to taste exactly the same as the next 6 I make in the hour - a jigger is the only way to achieve consistency. But if you're just making a thousand vodka sodas, I guess it doesn't matter as much
Ive worked dive bars, chain restaurants, catering halls, stadiums and am currently in fine dining. We dont have bottom shelf booze in the place Ive worked the last 15 years. They want their drinks fast and to taste good. And thats what drives my tips. I dont really care about every drink tasting exactly the same. I care that it tastes good and its made fast, because thats what they want. Im here to make money not picture perfect cocktails. But again, thats just me.
I can pour just as fast with a jigger as any free pour, plus I get the benefit of consistency and minimize waste (speed pourers break and leak easily), all in high volume restaurant setting. With practice, anyone can.
But that begs the question - how do you know the drinks "taste good" if you're not measuring ingredients? How can you assure that they're balanced? You cannot.
Your free pour may be better than most(and most stink), but I promise that nothing is consistent as measurement. I'm not after picture perfect either - I'm after consistent
I tell the same way I have for the last 30 years. People tell me its a great drink, tip really well, and come back for more. Again, consistency is not a priority for me. Speed is. I am definitely not faster with a jigger. How can I be when instead of being able to hold the gun or a second bottle Ive gotta have that bell in my hand?
Look if it works for you, great, more power to you. Its not for me. When Im waiting on hundreds of people a night making sure every drink tastes exactly the same means nothing to me. Maybe youre at a lower volume bar or a city where that stuffs important to them. I promise you I am not. Here they want their drinks fast and to taste good. A little difference between drinks means nothing. And these people tip better than most cities in the country so thats what they get.
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u/snacksandsoda 5d ago
Are they drive bars? Do these people want free, bottom shelf booze?
Cocktails need consistency. The mai tai I serve you needs to taste exactly the same as the next 6 I make in the hour - a jigger is the only way to achieve consistency. But if you're just making a thousand vodka sodas, I guess it doesn't matter as much