What Bartenders *Really* Drink: Beyond the Cocktails They Serve

Bartenders, those maestros of mixology, the architects of ambiance, the confidantes of countless customers – what do they actually drink when they’re off duty, behind the bar, or even during a lull in service? The answer, perhaps surprisingly, is far more diverse and nuanced than a simple list of popular cocktails. It’s a reflection of personal preferences, professional curiosity, the specific bar environment, and even the time of day. Understanding the drinks favored by bartenders offers insight into the heart of the industry itself.

The Hydration Imperative: Staying Sharp on the Shift

It might seem obvious, but a bartender’s primary concern during a shift is staying hydrated. Long hours on their feet, constantly moving, shaking, and engaging with customers can lead to dehydration and fatigue. This isn’t just about comfort; it’s about maintaining focus and precision, crucial for consistent drink quality and customer safety.

Water: The Unsung Hero

Water is the absolute foundation of any bartender’s hydration strategy. It’s readily available, replenishes fluids without any added sugars or artificial ingredients, and keeps the mind clear. Many bartenders keep a water bottle close at hand, constantly sipping throughout their shift. It’s a practical necessity, not a glamorous choice, but it’s essential for peak performance.

Non-Alcoholic Alternatives: Flavor Without the Buzz

While water is the default, many bartenders also turn to non-alcoholic alternatives for a little flavor and variety. These drinks help avoid palate fatigue and provide a refreshing break from the constant exposure to alcohol.

Soda Water and Lime: A Classic Refresher

A simple soda water with a squeeze of fresh lime is a bartender’s staple. It’s bubbly, refreshing, and offers a palate cleanse between tasting cocktails or ingredients. It’s also incredibly quick and easy to prepare, a significant advantage during a busy shift.

Iced Tea and Coffee: Energy Boosts with Caution

Iced tea, particularly unsweetened varieties, can provide a gentle caffeine boost and a refreshing taste. Similarly, coffee is a common choice, especially during early shifts or late nights. However, bartenders are usually mindful of their caffeine intake, as excessive consumption can lead to jitters and affect focus.

Ginger Ale and Other Mixers: Versatile and Refreshing

Ginger ale, tonic water, and other non-alcoholic mixers can also be enjoyed on their own or with a splash of juice. These offer a touch of sweetness and complexity without the effects of alcohol. They’re also useful for experimenting with flavors and creating custom mocktails.

Industry Professionals: Tasting, Learning, and Appreciating

Bartenders aren’t just drink makers; they’re often passionate about the craft and constantly seeking to expand their knowledge. This involves tasting a wide variety of spirits, wines, and beers, as well as experimenting with new cocktail recipes. However, it’s not about getting drunk; it’s about education and refinement.

The “Industry Shot”: Quick Tastes for Insight

The “industry shot” is a common practice where bartenders take small samples of spirits or liqueurs to better understand their flavor profiles. This allows them to make informed recommendations to customers and develop creative cocktail combinations. These are usually small sips, enough to taste and evaluate, not full shots intended for intoxication.

Wine and Beer: Pairing and Appreciation

Many bartenders cultivate an appreciation for wine and beer, often exploring different varietals, breweries, and flavor profiles. This knowledge enhances their ability to recommend pairings with food and offer customers a wider range of options. It’s about understanding the nuances of each beverage and how they complement different flavors.

Cocktail Components: Tasting the Building Blocks

Bartenders regularly taste individual ingredients – different types of bitters, syrups, juices, and spirits – to understand how they interact and contribute to the overall flavor of a cocktail. This deepens their understanding of flavor balancing and allows them to create more innovative and well-rounded drinks.

Off-Duty Delights: Personal Preferences and Relaxation

When bartenders are off duty, their drink choices often reflect their personal preferences and the desire to unwind after a long shift. The pressure is off, and they can finally indulge in what they truly enjoy, without the constraints of work.

Simple Classics: Reliability and Comfort

Many bartenders gravitate towards simple, classic cocktails when they’re off duty. These are drinks they know well, appreciate for their balance and flavor, and can easily prepare without much thought. Examples include:

Old Fashioned: Timeless Elegance

The Old Fashioned, a classic combination of whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water, is a popular choice for its simplicity and depth of flavor. It’s a drink that allows the quality of the whiskey to shine through.

Negroni: Bitter and Complex

The Negroni, a equal-parts blend of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, is another favorite among bartenders for its bitter complexity and refreshing qualities.

Daiquiri: The Bartender’s Test

The Daiquiri, a simple yet elegant mix of rum, lime juice, and sugar, is often considered a bartender’s test. It showcases the balance and quality of ingredients.

Craft Creations: Exploration and Experimentation

While some bartenders prefer classic simplicity, others use their off-duty time to explore new flavors and experiment with unique ingredients. This allows them to push their creative boundaries and develop new cocktail ideas.

Modern Twists on Classics: Reinventing Tradition

Bartenders often enjoy experimenting with modern twists on classic cocktails, using different spirits, liqueurs, or techniques to create new and exciting flavor combinations.

Ingredient-Driven Cocktails: Highlighting Unique Flavors

Some bartenders focus on creating cocktails that highlight specific ingredients, such as rare fruits, exotic spices, or artisanal spirits. This allows them to showcase the unique flavors and aromas of these ingredients.

Beers and Wines: A Relaxing Alternative

Many bartenders simply enjoy a cold beer or a glass of wine after a long shift. These offer a relaxing and refreshing alternative to cocktails, allowing them to unwind and socialize with friends or colleagues.

Craft Beers: Exploring Local Brews

The craft beer scene has exploded in recent years, and many bartenders enjoy exploring local breweries and sampling different styles of beer.

Natural Wines: Unique and Unfiltered

Natural wines, made with minimal intervention and often featuring unique flavor profiles, have also gained popularity among bartenders seeking something different and interesting.

Factors Influencing Drink Choices

Beyond personal preference, several factors influence what bartenders choose to drink. These range from the bar’s environment to the time of day.

The Bar’s Culture: Fitting In and Showing Respect

The specific culture of the bar where a bartender works can significantly influence their drink choices. Some bars have a strong focus on classic cocktails, while others are known for their innovative creations. Bartenders often adapt their preferences to fit in with the bar’s overall style and show respect for its traditions.

Shift Timing: Energy Levels and Relaxation

The time of day also plays a role. During early shifts, bartenders might opt for coffee or tea to boost their energy. During late shifts, they might choose something more relaxing, like a glass of wine or a simple cocktail.

The Company They Keep: Socializing and Networking

Bartenders often socialize with other industry professionals, and their drink choices can be influenced by the company they keep. They might try new cocktails recommended by colleagues or share bottles of interesting spirits.

The Need for Palate Cleansing: Maintaining Accuracy

Constantly tasting and evaluating drinks requires a clean palate. Bartenders often use simple, refreshing drinks like soda water with lime or a light beer to cleanse their palate between tastings. This ensures that they can accurately assess the flavors of different cocktails and ingredients.

Dispelling the Myths: Responsible Consumption and Professionalism

It’s important to dispel the myth that bartenders are constantly drinking heavily. The reality is that most bartenders are highly responsible and prioritize their professionalism. Excessive drinking on the job is unprofessional and can lead to serious consequences.

Responsible Consumption: Moderation and Control

Bartenders are trained to be responsible with alcohol and to monitor their own consumption. They understand the importance of staying sober and alert, both for their own safety and for the safety of their customers.

Professionalism: Maintaining a High Standard

Bartenders are expected to maintain a high standard of professionalism at all times. This includes avoiding excessive drinking, providing excellent service, and ensuring the safety of their customers.

The Focus on Craft: Passion and Expertise

Ultimately, what bartenders choose to drink is less about getting drunk and more about their passion for the craft and their desire to expand their knowledge. They’re constantly learning, experimenting, and refining their skills, and their drink choices reflect this commitment to excellence. Their decisions are guided by education, appreciation, and a genuine love for the world of spirits and cocktails. It’s a profession demanding skill, knowledge, and responsibility, and the drinks they choose reflect this multifaceted role.

What are some common non-alcoholic drinks that bartenders enjoy during their shifts?

Bartenders often gravitate towards beverages that provide hydration and a quick boost without the effects of alcohol. Water is, unsurprisingly, the most popular choice, often consumed in large quantities throughout a shift to combat dehydration caused by the fast-paced environment and potential exposure to heat. Additionally, many bartenders favor coffee, tea (especially herbal varieties), or club soda with a splash of citrus to keep them alert and refreshed.

The rationale behind these choices is multifaceted. Hydration is paramount for maintaining energy levels and focus during long hours on their feet. Caffeine from coffee or tea offers a mental edge, while the effervescence of club soda provides a satisfying sensation. By choosing these readily available, non-alcoholic options, bartenders can stay sharp and avoid the fatigue and impairment that alcoholic beverages would inevitably induce.

How do bartenders decide what to drink after their shift?

After a long night of crafting cocktails, many bartenders opt for something simple and easy to drink, often seeking something different from the complex beverages they’ve been preparing all night. This can range from a crisp, cold beer to a straightforward shot of whiskey, or even a non-alcoholic option if they’re heading home or have another shift soon. The deciding factor is usually a desire for relaxation and a change of pace.

The choice is also heavily influenced by the camaraderie of the bar scene. Often, bartenders will share a drink with their colleagues as a way to unwind and decompress after a busy shift. These post-shift drinks can be a way to socialize, share experiences, and build relationships within the industry, which can be invaluable for support and collaboration.

Do bartenders ever get tired of drinking cocktails?

Yes, surprisingly, many bartenders do experience cocktail fatigue. After spending hours mixing, tasting, and smelling different ingredients, the complexity of cocktails can become overwhelming. The constant exposure to strong flavors and aromas can desensitize their palates, making them crave something simpler and more refreshing.

This fatigue often leads bartenders to choose drinks with fewer ingredients and bolder, cleaner flavors. A simple highball, a glass of wine, or even just a beer can be a welcome change from the intricate concoctions they create for their customers. They appreciate the purity and straightforwardness of these drinks, offering a respite from the sensory overload of the cocktail world.

What are some popular “industry” drinks that bartenders often order?

“Industry” drinks are often simple, quick to make, and require minimal effort, both to prepare and to drink. The classic Boilermaker (a shot of whiskey dropped into a beer), Fernet and Coke, and the Dealer’s Choice (a cocktail chosen by the bartender for the guest) are common examples. These drinks are favored for their efficiency and the sense of insider knowledge they convey.

The popularity of these drinks stems from their practicality and the social aspect of the bar industry. They’re easy to order and drink quickly, allowing bartenders to socialize and network with each other without being overly complicated or time-consuming. This shared experience fosters a sense of community and belonging within the profession.

Are there any drinking habits or preferences that are unique to bartenders?

Bartenders, due to their constant exposure to alcohol and the demands of their job, often develop unique drinking habits and preferences. They tend to be more discerning drinkers, appreciating the nuances of spirits and the art of cocktail making. They are also more likely to prioritize hydration and pace themselves throughout the night, understanding the importance of responsible consumption.

One unique aspect is their tendency to analyze and deconstruct the drinks they consume, both at work and outside. They are constantly evaluating the balance of flavors, the quality of ingredients, and the techniques used in preparation. This analytical approach stems from their professional experience and their deep understanding of the craft of bartending.

How does a bartender’s personal taste influence the cocktails they create?

A bartender’s personal taste significantly influences the cocktails they create. Their individual preferences for flavors, spirits, and techniques often find their way into their signature drinks and their overall approach to mixology. They are more likely to experiment with ingredients and techniques that align with their own palate, resulting in cocktails that reflect their unique perspective.

This personal influence is what distinguishes one bartender from another. While they may all follow similar recipes and techniques, their individual tastes and creative flair will ultimately shape the final product. This allows them to develop a distinct style and create cocktails that are both delicious and representative of their artistic vision.

Do bartenders ever have “off-nights” where they don’t want to drink at all?

Absolutely, bartenders, like anyone else, have “off-nights” where they prefer not to drink alcohol. After spending long hours surrounded by alcohol, they may simply feel the need for a break or a period of abstinence. This could be for health reasons, personal goals, or simply a desire to avoid the effects of alcohol.

The decision to abstain from alcohol is often a conscious choice for bartenders who are aware of the potential risks of overconsumption. They understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding burnout. Choosing to abstain allows them to recharge, focus on their well-being, and maintain a balanced relationship with alcohol.