Let’s be honest, we all have certain habits or routines when we go out to a bar or lounge right? Some are okay but others need to be left in the past and buried six feet deep. Now that we have entered 2015, its time we change our ways a bit, trust me these 10 new habits will make your life easier both at the bar and at home.
Stingy Tipping- As bartenders become more and more advanced its time they become tipped appropriately. This also benefits how much alcohol is in your drink as well. Bigger tip equals a better night.
Stereotyping women are light drinkers- Don’t assume she wants a martini, studies have shown women want an Old Fashion or a Manhattan just as much as men do.
Avoiding speakeasies- A speakeasy used to be an establishment that illegally sold alcoholic beverages during the Prohibition era. Now speakeasies really focus on crafting an amazing environment, experience and even better cocktails for its customers. Its time you checkout a speakeasy in your town.
Always Going Out To Entertain- Sometimes inviting friends over for game night and drinks is much better than the bar especially through those winter months. First, you need to stock up on good drinks (bourbon, vodka, rum and tequila) next you need the proper tools to make great drinks. Here are some must have basics tools to have to make drinks: cocktail shaker, cutting board, double jigger, muddler, and strainer.
Skipping on cocktail recipes- Similar to food recipes, cocktail recipes can make your night perfect. Now that you have the bottles and the tools, its time to make the drinks. Recipes come in many levels, simple and easy as well as extravagant with longer prep time.
Only drinking tequila in shots- Yes, I get it, taking shots of tequila gets the party started, but Tequila traditionally is supposed to be sipped like Scotch. Go get you a fine Añejo or Extra Añejo to sip on slowly, most Añejo’s come from bourbon barrels and have a lot of the same taste as some of your favorite whiskey’s. This can also be said for some Tequila Blanco’s or Silver’s, though they don’t come from bourbon barrels they still have a smooth finish.
Drinking too many flavored drinks- There are so many flavored drinks, from flavored vodkas to flavored whiskies, but its time to slow down and put the fireball down. Although they taste great, they really only have one function, why spend money on something that only does one thing? For those who are health conscious (yes, we know were talking about alcohol but still), these flavored drinks pack a big sugar punch, almost like syrup, which doesn’t help with that massive hangover the morning after.
Avoiding Beer cocktails- There are a growing number of bars that have cocktails with beer in them. 2015 is the best time to give those cocktails a shot.
Drinking doesn’t kill your diet- Contrary to popular belief, drinking isn’t the reason you cant lose those extra pounds, it’s what you’re doing after the drinking. Because drinking dehydrates you, we tend to become hungry and eat at the wrong times, also avoid mix drinks with juice and or soda, all which turn the sugar into fat in your system. Drinks with organic and natural ingredients, tonic and club soda are your best bet. Nothing beats a scotch neat or on the rocks.
Drinking irresponsibly- In 2012, fatal crashes in the US, one out of every 3 were between 21 and 24 years of age (32%). The next largest group were ages 25 to 34 (27%) (According to the Dept of Transportation (US), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Be careful, have a buddy as your designed driver or have a cab number handy. Download the Uber app if available in your area.
