Essential Equipment and Supplies for Serving Craft Cocktails

Craft cocktails have become an integral part of the bar and restaurant scene, with customers increasingly seeking unique and flavorful drinks. From the classics to new and innovative takes on them, crafting these cocktails - and doing so profitability - requires more than just the creativity and skills of the bartender. It requires the right equipment to ensure consistency, speed, and presentation.

The Fundamentals of the Bar

Bar fabrication plays a pivotal role in the success of a craft cocktail program, particularly concerning labor efficiency and profitability. A well-designed bar optimizes workflow, which reduces a bartender's time spent searching for tools, ingredients, or glassware. This efficiency translates into smoother operations, faster service, and, ultimately, higher customer satisfaction.

The physical bar, back bar, and all its components allow bartenders to focus on crafting cocktails by streamlining processes and minimizing wasted time. Additionally, an intelligently designed bar layout can enhance bartenders' ergonomics, reducing fatigue and potential injuries thereby improving staff morale and retention. From a profitability standpoint, efficient bar fabrication helps control labor costs by maximizing productivity and minimizing wasted time. By investing in quality bar fabrication solutions, establishments can achieve a more streamlined and profitable craft cocktail program.

The bottom line of bar fundamentals is that each operation, and even each bartender, has his or her own specialities. Whether it be a specific recipe or a way of creating it, a bar should be planned for the versatility of those behind it, and that's exactly what the team at Glastender can do. They are known for designing around the items listed on a cocktail menu.

Glassware Selection

Selecting the right glassware for a high-end cocktail bar is paramount to delivering an exceptional drinking experience and elevating the overall perception of the establishment. Each type of glass is uniquely designed to enhance specific characteristics of a cocktail, from aroma and flavor to presentation and temperature control. The proper glassware not only complements the drink's ingredients and aesthetic but also showcases the bartender's attention to detail and craftsmanship. Using the appropriate glassware demonstrates a commitment to quality and sophistication. It also enhances the overall drinking experience which leaves a lasting impression on patrons, and solidifies the bar's reputation as a destination for refined cocktails.

Innovative Ice

The selection of ice plays a crucial role in perfecting craft cocktails. From enhancing flavor and aroma to controlling dilution and presentation, using the correct type of ice helps set the tone for the drink. Clear ice, hailed as a work of art by some, offers visual appeal and slower dilution rates and is ideal for sipping spirits or cocktails served over a longer period. Conversely, crushed ice is favored for tropical drinks, where rapid dilution is desired.

The type and size of ice cubes also impact the drink's overall experience. With options ranging from standard 1x1-inch cubes for versatile use to large 2x2-inch cubes for maintaining temperature in spirit-forward drinks, there's a type of ice for every drink. Ultimately, selecting the right ice depends on personal preference, desired dilution, and the intended consumption timeframe, with each type of ice contributing uniquely to the cocktail experience.

Build a Better Bar with Glastender

Glastender offers a variety of underbar solutions designed to optimize space and streamline workflow. From modular bar stations to customizable storage units, Glastender helps bartenders stay organized and focused during busy shifts with two superior lines of fabricated underbar equipment, Choice and Main, to support the entire cocktail life cycle.

Both lines boast features such as all-stainless-steel construction for corrosion resistance, seamless top and backsplash for easy cleaning, and welded construction to eliminate sharp screws. Additionally, they feature standard mounting patterns and integral backsplash stiffeners. These features enhance functionality, cleanliness, and efficiency in cocktail preparation, making Glastender's underbar equipment a top choice for bars and restaurants.

Build a better bar with Glastender, and contact your Voeller rep today to learn more about the solutions that can help lead to a more profitable cocktail program.