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the bartenders as to how to prepare and portion basic cocktails, what glasses
the drinks should be presented in, how they should be garnished, and what
prices should apply.
If the test results you obtain are along these lines, don’t worry. Unless your
bartenders are crazed anarchists, they won’t much care for having their lack
of professionalism exposed. After explaining what operational difficulties the
business is experiencing from the lack of drink consistency, you’ll likely have
their undivided attention.
After the bartenders have been made to realize that they’re not preparing the
same recipes, the next step involves establishing what recipes they’ll be asked
to pour. It’s a positive step, a forward-looking process in which the bartenders
will play a pivotal role. With few exceptions, most bars need to have set recipes
for about 40 to 50 drinks. Challenge the staff to determine what those recipes
should be. Conduct tastings of the various recipes vying for each slot. Make a
night of it - invite guests, and serve hors d’oeuvres or light fare.
At the end of the process you’ll have a revamped, reborn, and reinvigorated
beverage program featuring a set of drink recipes in which the bartenders feel
a sense of ownership. Not only will consistency improve, but you’ll also likely
notice that they have a better attitude presenting the drinks they prepare
because they were involved in creating the recipes.
Afterwards, review your pricing structure to ensure that it still makes financial
sense. Changing recipes typically involves changing portioning, which in turn
changes drink costs. Once the new recipes have been assigned sales prices,
reprogram your bar’s point of sale system and throw open the front door.
What Effect Does Chaos
Have on the Bottom Line?
Signature Margarita - House Version
1½ oz. El Jimador Reposado Tequila $1.80
½ oz. Cointreau $0.70
½ oz. Grand Marnier $0.86
½ oz. Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice $0.03
1½ oz. Fresh Lime Sour Mix $0.24
Drink Cost $3.63
$3.63 drink cost ÷ $10.00 sales price = 36.3% cost percentage
Gross Profit = $6.37
Signature Margarita - Bartender’s Version
1 3/4 oz. El Jimador Reposado Tequila $2.10
3/4 oz. Cointreau $1.05
3/4 oz. Grand Marnier $1.29
½ oz. Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice $0.03
1½ oz. Fresh Lime Sour Mix $0.24
Drink Cost $4.71
Robert Plotkin is a judge at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and author of 16 books on bartending and
beverage management including Secrets Revealed of America’s Greatest Cocktails. He can be reached at www.
AmericanCocktails.com or by e-mail at robert@barmedia.com. ©2011 BarMedia
$4.71 drink cost ÷ $10.00 sales price = 47.1% cost percentage
Gross Profit = $5.29
The Publican
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