Bar Flaring Techniques

Basic Bartending Techniques

• Anyone intending to learn bar flaring should first learn the basic techniques of bartending, such as proper pouring and mixing drinks before attempting advanced flaring. Skills, such as shaking, straining, stirring, muddling, building, layering and flaming, are some of the basic skills that a bartender needs.

  Shaking and stirring are basic skills, but techniques, such as layering and flaming, requires some technical knowledge. Layering is the process of piling one type of liquor, or liqueur, from one another without the ingredients mixing, so knowing what type of ingredients are denser than the other is a must. Flaming is setting the drink on fire to enhance its flavor.

Bottle and Glass Spinning

• Bottle and glass spinning is the most common technique used in bar flaring. This technique uses a single bottle of liquor and a glass. Bottle spinning requires a lot of hand dexterity, eye-hand coordination and agility. Spinning the bottle around your hand is one of the most basic steps for a beginner to learn. Incorporating pouring and mixing techniques while spinning bottles and glasses also come as a starter's routine.

Juggling

• Advanced bar flaring involves more than one set of bottles and glasses. Some bartenders practicing bar flair often juggle three or more bottles while setting up drinks. This technique requires training in juggling. Spinning shakers and juggling them while mixing drinks is another trick that employs juggling techniques.

Work Flair vs. Exhibition Flair

• Work flair is the term used when using bar flare techniques that a bartender can do while serving drinks. Tricks, such as bottle spins, ice scoops and shaker tosses, are some of the skills involved in work flair.

  Exhibition flairs are more elaborate, and bartenders usually perform them in an open space instead of a real bar. Some bar tenders even perform in groups during exhibition flairs, juggling several liquor bottles and glasses and then passing them on to each other.