Making Frozen Blender Drinks

As a general rule, drinks containing ingredients that don't readily mix, such as cream, sour mix, eggs, ice cream, grenadine or heavy liqueurs, need to be shaken firmly for a long time or, better yet, blended. Only blending supplies the superior smoothness that thick or frozen drinks require. The blender can be a miracle worker for the good bartender and can create miraculous results and yet is easy to learn to use properly. If you think of your blender as your co host at the party or your sidekick behind the bar it will never let you mess up those fancy drinks.

I want to share with you a few tricks and tips to make sure that you make the best use of the blender in making blended drinks. Of course, choosing the blender is very important and there are many top of the line, really expensive blenders out there. But you can do just fine with something really inexpensive. Check out one of my favorites, here.

Tips for blending creamy drinks:

*Always fill the blending cup 1/4 full of ice, no more, no less.
*Measure out the liqueurs before adding and add liqueurs before the cream
*After adding the cream, blend at medium speed (too fast makes the liquid too thin) and for no more than 5-10 seconds.
*Check for smoothness. If it's still lumpy or too thick, blend another 5 secs

Tips for blending sour drinks:

*Always fill the blender cup 1/4 full of ice, no more than that
*Measure the liqueurs first and add; then measure out the other alcohols and add
*Add sour mix after adding the liqueurs and liquors
*Add other ingredients at the very last
*Never blend any faster than at medium speed.
*Watch the process for smoothness; when smooth, it is ready

Tips for blending tropical drinks:

*Always fill the blending up 1/4 full of ice and no more
*Add the fresh fruit first
*Measure and add liqueurs after the fruit
*Measure and add other liquors next
*Add sour mix after the liquors
*Add other ingredients at the last
*Blend at medium speed only for up to 15 seconds or as long as it takes to create smoothness

Tips of care of your blender:

*Before you use a brand new blender, fill it with warm water and with the lid on, turn it on for about 25 seconds. This will clean it up perfectly.
*Always be sure the machine is "off" before plugging it in. Always leave it unplugged when not in use. And be sure the switch is "off", too, before shutting down for the night.
*Always check the blender for spoons or swizzle sticks or other bar accessories before turning it on. Many a blender has been busted by someone dipping spoons into the mix an leaving them.
*Never dip spoons, sticks or strainers into the blender while blending.
*Before using, check to be sure the blade assembly is attached securely at the bottom. After cleaning, these are sometimes replaced too loosely and this can cause your blender to leak.. sometimes badly!
*Never pour boiling hot water into the blender cup, even during use. This will crack the cup.
*Be careful not to fill the blender beyond capacity. This is why you should only fill it about 1/4 full with ice. Filling the cup too much reduces the effiency of the blender and makes it work too hard. This shortens it's life.
*Make sure the lid is on tight before turning it on. This seems like a "duh", but it's why you see bartenders holding the caps down with their hands! After use, the lids begin to lose their tightness and the force of the blades can cause the ingredients to jump upwards.. and out!
*And, of course, do not remove the lid every while blending. Some folk have been known to open the lid to get a gander of the mix but they end up with the mix on the floor instead of in the blender.
*And, never, not ever, put your hand in the blender while in use. I know this seems like another "duh" but people put their hands in garbage disposals. So this needs to be monitored.
*Here's a big one that seems like a no brainer: never remove the blender cup before the blades stop spinning. People do this all the time, in a hurry to pour the drink! But this destroys the blades quickly and you end up with a useless machine.
*To clean the machine after a long night of use, do as I said in tip #1. Fill the mixing container with warm water (not hot or boiling!) and put the lid down tight. Run the blades for about 25 seconds to get all the leftover ingredients out of the equipment. You may also wash the blender cup separately by filling it with warm water and washing it out with sponges or the like. NEVER put it in the dishwasher! The water is too hot and can crack or melt the plastic conatiner. Never put the base in the dishwasher, either, unless you want to throw the blender out afterwards.
*Wash the container as often as possible, preferably after every use. This gets the left over fruit, sugars, liquors and other residue out so that it doesn't taint the next mix. Even if you are not using it again, you should wash it immediately. Once the remains of fruits and sugars get dried on, they are hard to get off and you don't want to end up scratching up the cup with scouring pads.

INTERESTING BLENDERS TO CONSIDER:



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The Secrets of a Great Bartender

Here are some great tips and hints from the best bartenders. They will come in handy when you start tending your own bar, either professionally or at home.

Glassware Ideas:
Most drinks have a traditional style of glassware that is recommended for their preparation. Such as a margarita glass or a martini glass, which are used solely for these special drinks. However, when short on money or in a pinch, any old glass will do, as long as the drink fits inside. If you cannot afford a bar full of glassware or it's not feasible for your purposes and you must choose a single type of glassware, make it a large wineglass. Almost any drink can fit in a large wineglass and this type of glassware is attractive and functional enough to be used all the time.


Tips on Frosting Glasses:
Drinks that are to be made with ice, dip the glass in water and then leave it in the freezer for a few. It will get a frosted white look that looks great with the ice. This is traditional "frosting". Be careful not to touch the glass with your fingers (hold by the stem) as as not to melt the "icing". Another method of frosting is to line the rim of a glass with salt or sugar. This is done with Margaritas and Lemon Drops, to name two popular drinks. To do this properly, moisten the rim of the glass with a lemon or lime wedge. Then drip the rim into salt or sugar and twist until it is fully "frosted".


Hints on making "twists" and flavoring rims:
When a recipe calls for a fruit "twist" as a garnish, simply twist the peel above the drink and then drop it in.
When using a fruit "garnish", rub the rim of the glass with a wedge so to flavor the drink with it.


Tips for Making Drinks:

• Making mixed drinks with a shaker, do NOT fill the shaker with ice. Use a 1/4 cup of ice or a few cubes.
• Fresh ice is a big part of a tasty "rocks" drink. Overly frozen ice or ice with a freezer taste can ruin the mix.
• Always use Distilled or Spring water when making drinks with water. Tap water can ruin the taste.
• Always keep bottles of Vodka in the freezer. This makes the Vodka taste fresher and cleaner when used.
• When using a shaker set, put ice in the mixing glass first and then add the other ingredients.
• Always tip the set will shaking so that the liquid ends up in the metal tumbler.
• Always use the metal strainer when pouring the drink, to strain out any spices, fruits or other ingredients.
• A "short shaker" can often be used when a shaker set is not available. This is a metal cup that fits over the glass.
• In the absence of any shaker, a glass with a lid or the jug portion of an electric blender will work just as well.
• Drinks without milk or cream are often stirred. You can do this right in the glass will preparing.
• Do not overstir drinks with carbonation, like Champagne or Soda, as it will kill the bubbly.
• When pouring a pitcherful of mixed drinks, pour a little at a time in every glass, repeating until all are filled.
• When pouring a hot drink into a glass, put a metal spoon in the glass first to keep the heat from breaking it.
• When "floating" liquor or liqueurs, always put the heaviest on the bottom and then float into lighter layers.
• To "float" liquor or liqueurs properly, pour each one over the back of a spoon into the glass, very slowly.
• To fast track a "float", put the mixed drink into the freezer and leave until the liquor has settled into the layers.
• To "flame" a drink, prewarm the glass over a low heat, then add the liquor and warm a teaspoon. Put some liquor into the teaspoon, pass it over a flame and set it afire. Then pour this flaming liquid into the glass... carefully.
  
  

Notes on Cleaning Glassware:

You should ALWAYS have very clean glassware. Make this your mission. Drinks taste awful in dirty glasses.
When you wash glassware, air dry it, rim down on a towel to avoid spotting.
Always dry with one towel and then polish with another.
Wash glassware immediately after use. If you leave it laying around dirty, it gets stained with drink residue.
In lieu of washing, soak glasses in warm, sudsy water. Just make sure the drink residue doesn't stick.
Never stack glasses on top of each other.

Recipe for Bartenders Sour Mix:

Ingredients:
12 oz bottled Lemon Juice or juice of 6 fresh Lemons
18 oz Distilled Water
1/4 cup refined White Sugar
1 Egg White

Method:
Blend all ingredients in a blender or shake up in a large jar. Refrigerate thoroughly and shake well before use.

Recipe for Bartenders Simple Sugar Syrup

Ingredients:
2 cups Sugar
1 cup Water

Method:
Dissolve the sugar in the water in a saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring. Cover and refrigerate.

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