Mason Delacroix
When pouring alcohol from a bottle, it is important to measure the quantity to ensure consistency in taste and avoid overconsumption. While free pouring is an option, it often leads to inconsistencies in the amount of alcohol dispensed, affecting the flavour of the drink and potentially resulting in revenue loss. To overcome this, bartenders use various tools such as jiggers, speed pourers, and measured pourers to ensure accurate measurements and prevent overpouring. Additionally, understanding the alcohol content, typically indicated as alcohol by volume (ABV) or proof, is crucial for estimating the strength of cocktails and mixed drinks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Methods to measure alcohol | Gas chromatography, hydrometer, alcoholmeter, distiller's parrot, alcohol test strips, evaporation test |
| Reasons to measure alcohol | Inventory management, flavour control, revenue loss, legal reasons, safety |
| Tools for measurement | Jigger, measured pourer, speed pourer, precision pour rack systems, shot glass, measuring cup, alcoholmeter, distiller's parrot |
| Standard units | In the US, a standard shot is 1.5 oz, a standard drink contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol |
| Alcohol by volume (ABV) | ABV is given as a percentage and measures the amount of alcohol in a bottle compared to the total volume of liquid |
| Proof | Indicates the taxes a distiller needs to pay on a certain amount of liquor |
| ABV and Proof conversion | ABV x 2 = Proof |
| ABV of common alcoholic beverages | Brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, whiskey: 40% ABV or 80 proof; Beer: 3-13% ABV, most fall between 4-7%; Wine: 8-14% ABV; Liqueurs: 15-30% ABV or 30-60 proof |
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What You'll Learn
Using a jigger to measure
A jigger is a staple at any bar and is an essential tool for crafting cocktails. It is a small measuring cup for bartenders, ranging in size from 0.5 to 2.5 ounces. The word "jigger" can also be used as a unit of measurement in cocktail recipes, referring to the standard jigger size of 1.5 ounces. Shot glasses come in various sizes, but a standard shot glass is also 1.5 ounces, so in some instances, a jigger and a shot are the same amount.
A basic bar jigger is often referred to as a double jigger, with two sides that measure two different amounts. The most common combinations for jiggers are 1 ounce and 2 ounces, or 1.5 ounces and 0.75 ounces. Japanese jiggers are designed with a thinner diameter and more height, making them easier to pour from and more exact. Stepped jiggers are another option, offering many of the favoured jigger measurements on the outside, as well as measured steps for each amount, visible from the top or outside.
When using a jigger to measure alcohol, simply fill the jigger to the desired measurement line. Many jiggers have fill lines on the inside or outside, indicating commonly used cocktail or shot glass measurements. Jiggers with fill lines make it easy to measure alcohol accurately and consistently.
Using a jigger guarantees a standard liquor pour, making inventory more predictable and ensuring that guests are not accidentally overserved. Measured liquor pourers can help control how much alcohol is dispensed, prevent heavy-handed pours, and ensure flavour consistency in cocktails.
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Free pouring
To free pour accurately, bartenders must develop a consistent rhythm and counting cadence. They may also use visual cues, such as recognizing the level of liquid in a glass that corresponds to a specific amount. Practicing with water into a jigger or shot glass can help beginners get a feel for the correct count and flow rate.
Some bartenders use a speed pourer, a device with a curved metal spout attached to a rubber stopper, to facilitate free pouring. This device regulates the airflow into the bottle, ensuring a steady stream of liquor. To use a speed pourer, the bottle must be held completely upside down, not at an angle, and the spout must be faced towards the cup.
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Using a speed pourer
Speed pourers, also known as liquor pourers, are an essential tool for professional bartenders and a nice addition to home bars. They are small yet sturdy devices that are added to a bottle of alcohol to measure the exact amount of liquid intended to be poured. They are made of either stainless steel or plastic or a combination of the two materials. They are designed to fit into the neck of standard 750-millilitre liquor bottles and are secured by a series of plastic or rubber fins (often called the cork) that grab onto the interior glass.
Speed pourers are particularly useful when you want to pour a precise shot every time. They streamline the flow of liquid coming out of the bottle, helping to prevent spills and splashes while giving greater control over the amount of alcohol poured. They also prevent heat transfer from your hand to the alcohol. To use a speed pourer, place the spout towards the cup and hold the liquor bottle by its neck. Turn the bottle upside down and keep it straight to ensure an even stream of liquor.
Some speed pourers have internal ball bearings to control the flow and cut of the liquor. When the bottle is turned upside down, the liquid-air exchange still takes place as liquor passes through the spout. The balls stay in place until the pre-calibrated pour gets cut off, with the top ball rolling out to block more liquor from flowing out. To reset the nozzle for the next drink, simply bring the bottle back to a standing position.
Speed pourers are extremely convenient, but it's not good to store a bottle for a long time with the speed pourer alone. They should be removed at the end of the night as pourers that have no caps subject the alcohol to oxidation, which reduces its shelf life and degrades its flavour.
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Using a measured pourer
To use a measured pourer, start by installing the pourer onto the bottle. Ensure that the spout is facing towards the cup or glass you will be pouring into. Hold the bottle by its neck to maintain control and prevent heat transfer from your hand to the alcohol. Then, turn the bottle upside down and keep it straight to ensure an even stream of liquor.
Different types of shots require different pour times. For example, a standard shot in the US is typically 1.5 ounces, which would require a four-second pour. A rocks shot, also known as a "finger" of spirits, is slightly larger and may require a longer pour. Pony shots, on the other hand, are smaller and often used in mixed drinks, requiring a shorter pour time.
Measured pourers offer several benefits. They help with liquor inventory management by controlling how much liquor goes into each drink, preventing overpouring and reducing revenue loss. They also ensure flavour consistency, so your cocktails taste the same every time they are ordered. Additionally, measured pourers eliminate the need for extra tools like shot glasses or jiggers, making the drink-making process faster and less messy.
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Reading the label
The proof of an alcoholic beverage is another indicator of how strong it is. Proof is a number primarily used in the United States to denote the taxes a distiller needs to pay on a certain amount of liquor. The higher the proof, the higher the taxes. The proof can be easily converted into ABV and vice versa, although they are used for different purposes. The formula for converting between the two is simple: ABV x 2 = Proof. For example, brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey are typically 40% ABV or 80 proof. Some high-proof liquors, mainly whiskeys and rums, can reach over 50% ABV (100 proof).
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a counting method, such as the "one one-thousand" technique, to measure alcohol when pouring. Counting to four in a steady cadence will give you a half ounce of alcohol.
There are several devices that can be used to measure alcohol when pouring, including a jigger, a speed pourer, a distiller's parrot, and a hydrometer. A jigger is a measuring tool that helps ensure a standard pour. A speed pourer is a device that attaches to the bottle and helps control the flow of alcohol. A distiller's parrot is a device that holds a spirit hydrometer, also known as an alcoholmeter, which measures the alcohol content. A hydrometer measures the specific gravity of the liquid and can be used to determine the alcohol content.
Measuring alcohol when pouring is important for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures that you are serving consistent and accurate amounts of alcohol in each drink, which is important for both customer satisfaction and responsible alcohol service. Secondly, it helps with inventory management and prevents overpouring, which can lead to revenue loss. Finally, it can help bartenders create consistent and delicious-tasting cocktails every time.
