Responsible Service

Having spent the majority of our lives bartending and managing bars, we strongly advocate moderation in the consumption and service of alcohol. Whether at home or a commercial operation, serve conscientiously and responsibly and consume conscientiously and responsibly.

We also highly recommend that all managers, bartenders and servers be certified from an accredited alcohol-awareness program and be required to regularly attend a refresher course. There’s too much at stake to do otherwise.

To that end, we’d like to add the following:

A strong drink is not necessarily a good drink. Increasing a drink’s liquor portion increases its alcoholic potency. Over-portioning alcohol is a liability-laden practice.
Not all drinks are created equally. A Martini served straight up is more potent than one served on the rocks. Alcohol is soluble in water and will increase the rate at which ice melts. As a result, the melting ice will dilute the drink’s alcohol, rendering it slightly less potent.
Similarly, a blended drink is less potent than one served on the rocks. Blending a drink with ice makes it more diluted. In most instances, the principal ingredient in a blended drink is water (i.e. ice).
Neat drinks are prepared directly into the glass in which they are served. They are undiluted and high in alcohol concentration. Care should be taken with respect to their service.
Shooters and layered cordials are conventionally consumed in one swallow, thereby increasing the rate at which the alcohol is absorbed into a person’s bloodstream. Increased rate of consumption tends to accelerate intoxication.
A double contains 2 times the liquor of a standard drink and is more than twice as potent as two prepared regularly. A double will profoundly impact intoxication. Conversely, a tall drink, prepared in a tall glass with significantly more mix, is less potent than the same drink prepared in the regular manner.