A Bar Above

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

Copyright A Bar Above Table of Contents : Black 14-piece stainless steel cocktail set Cocktail to make Mixing glasses with new designs Black pour spouts White channel knife White citrus zester Ready to give your bar a fresh upgrade? Or are you looking for the perfect gift for the bartender or cocktail enthusiast in your life? Well, no matter who you’re shopping for, we’re super excited to announce the launch of some of our best-selling products in brand-new colors and designs so you can s

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A Bar Above

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Table of Contents : Join the Sober October Challenge Benefits of Not Drinking Alcohol 3 Custom Mocktail Recipes Other Non-Alcoholic Drinks Final Thoughts It’s my favorite time of year! Spooky season is upon us, complete with cooler weather, autumn leaves, costumes, pumpkin spice, home decorations, and lots of social events. But it’s also a great time for a refresh.

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A Bar Above

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Table of Contents : Join the Sober October Challenge Benefits of Not Drinking Alcohol 3 Custom Mocktail Recipes Other Non-Alcoholic Drinks Final Thoughts It’s my favorite time of year! Spooky season is upon us, complete with cooler weather, autumn leaves, costumes, pumpkin spice, home decorations, and lots of social events. But it’s also a great time for a refresh.

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A Bar Above

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

Contents : Tiki gifts Garnish accessories & “Unexpected Gifts” Barware Random gifts: Cocktail calendar, bar smoker, & wine charms Alcohol infusion Spirits Glassware & Cocktail accessories Bar courses Finding perfect gifts for your groomsmen, bridesmaids, and other attendants is part of the wedding planning process that often gets overlooked.

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A Bar Above

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

[ Editor’s Note : This article has been updated from a 2014 version, originally written by our co-founder, Chris Tunstall; I’ve updated and rewritten it with more detailed information.] Whiskey has continued to grow in popularity over the years, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down anytime soon! Within the whiskey category, two of the most celebrated types are bourbon and rye.

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A Bar Above

JUNE 2, 2024

If you’re lucky enough to snag a precious bottle of Chartreuse right now, you probably know just what a feat that is. The elusive French liqueur is extremely difficult to find at the moment, requiring quite the treasure hunt through various liquor stores. So what are you to do when your favorite cocktail calls for Chartreuse, but there’s none to be found?

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A Bar Above

MAY 25, 2024

Since 2014, I have had the privilege of working with over 100 different owners and operators to improve their businesses in one capacity or another. Over that time I have had the opportunity to learn some best practices from many operators and have also seen some common issues along the way. Here are some of the key takeaways from my experience , which I hope you’ll be able to leverage in your own business.

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A Bar Above

JUNE 7, 2024

Happy National Bourbon Day! Did you even know this was a thing? No? Well, you’re in the right place for an awesome recipe and some good ol’ fashioned celebration of this amazing spirit (my personal favorite). Jump to Recipe Photo courtesy of Angel’s Envy Bourbon Apparently every June 14th , whiskey enthusiasts get a chance to celebrate one of the United States’ most beloved spirits.

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A Bar Above

APRIL 27, 2024

(Editor’s Note : This article has been updated from a 2013 version.) Ever wondered why James Bond likes his Martinis shaken? Today, we’re going to answer one of the classic questions in mixology: Shaken or stirred? The rule of thumb is this: When your cocktail is all spirits , it should be stirred. Still some folks (like James Bond) want them shaken.

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A Bar Above

MAY 28, 2024

COCKTAIL GIFTS FOR DAD: A FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE It’s almost Dad’s special day, and you don’t know what to get, right? Dads can be hard to shop for, so we’re here to help you out with the ultimate brainstorm of unique dad gifts! Below, you’ll find our gift idea list for the #1 cocktail drinker in your life with a wide range of options. Of course, anything on this list would make a great birthday gift, anniversary gift, something for the holiday season, too.

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A Bar Above

MAY 20, 2024

Graduation is a huge milestone worth celebrating, whether you’re wrapping up high school, college, or beyond. And what’s a celebration without some fantastic drinks? Since it’s that time of year again, we’ve rounded up five perfect cocktail recipes– complete with non-alcoholic mocktails for the underage crowd and non-drinkers– to elevate your graduation party.

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A Bar Above

APRIL 23, 2024

[Editor’s Note: This article has been updated from the original 2013 version.] I don’t know about you, but since Tales this year I have been hearing about Clarified Juices on mixology blogs and craft cocktail sites all over the place. This week, my curiosity got the best of me and I decided to give it a try with lime juice. What You Will Learn: Why your bottle-carbonated cocktail program needs clarified juice Two different ways to mess up your Clarification (From experience!

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A Bar Above

MARCH 1, 2024

As a new bar manager, there are certain terms and vocabulary that you need to be familiar with so you can communicate effectively with your team. One of those pieces of vocabulary that you should develop and understand is the term “par.” We’ll quickly cover what the term par is and how it applies to the bar and restaurant world, and then we’ll discuss one of its most important applications: the par sheet.

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A Bar Above

MARCH 8, 2024

Ready to spice up your culinary journey? Then the National Restaurant Association Show 2024 is calling your name… And the best part? Chris will be there repping A Bar Above! When : May 18-21, 2024 Where : The bustling city of Chicago ( McCormick Place : 2301 S. King Dr., Chicago, IL 60616) Find Us : Booth 11143 Photo by Tim Gouw via www.unsplash.com This awesome expo promises to be an unforgettable experience for foodservice professionals and enthusiasts alike, so we hope to see you there.

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A Bar Above

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

Hey, friends! We’re excited to unveil our latest gem at A Bar Above: the citrus zester! This nifty tool extracts that exciting flavor of citrus easily & quickly. What is a Lemon Zester? A zester is a kitchen tool dedicated to extracting the flavorful oils and zesty tang from citrus fruit. It’s kind of like a cheese grater but made specifically for citrus peel.

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A Bar Above

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Tired regular date nights? Looking for a creative idea for spending time with your significant other beyond traditional game nights, dance lessons (not for those with two left feet, let me tell ya), or ignoring each other during movie night with a bottle of wine? Copyright A Bar Above Look no further than our brand new Date Night Gift Box – an “inside-the-box idea” that guides you through crafting 2 delightful cocktails, all while enjoying some quality time with your loved one for a

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A Bar Above

JANUARY 10, 2024

This post may contain affiliate links. Check out this disclosure for more info. Thanks for your support! To the cocktail beginner, it might seem a bit alarming to watch your bartender crack an egg, add the whites to a shaker tin, shake away, and then serve you that drink – without any cooking whatsoever. After all, didn’t your mother tell you not to eat raw cookie dough because it has raw eggs in it?

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A Bar Above

DECEMBER 18, 2023

Today, we’re talking about making your own gin ! Although it sounds kind of intimidating, it’s super simple and requires a handful of specialized ingredients and very little time. Gin lovers , rejoice! Of course, you could get complicated and use a still pot or mini-distillery, but… It’s actually illegal to distill your own liquor without a license, even just for personal use.

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A Bar Above

JANUARY 17, 2024

Did you know that A Bar Above offers a variety of educational courses on topics from mocktails to a becoming a better bartender ? Well, we do! And we’re especially excited to share with you our Flavor Manipulation series, a trio of self-paced online courses that explore the use of essential ingredients like different types of bitters and syrups , as well as how to use various flavor profiles in alcoholic drinks.

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A Bar Above

JANUARY 5, 2024

We’re rounding out Dry January with three non-alcoholic drinks: the Piña Colada, Aperol Spritz, and Strawberry Daiquiri. These delicious mocktails are some of our favorite drinks without alcohol– and even though they’re great for hot summer days, they’re equally good alcohol-free party options all year long. Copyright A Bar Above If you don’t drink (or are cutting back), you could of course stick with kombucha, coconut water, sparkling water, or ginger beer when at

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A Bar Above

DECEMBER 28, 2023

It’s that time of year already! While alcohol consumption is up during the holidays, it may be time to rethink your relationship with alcohol for the month of Dry January. Photo by Neha Deshmukh via Unsplash What the heck is “Dry January,” you ask? For some people (such as regular drinkers who maybe partied a little too hard in December), it’s abstaining from alcohol through the entire month of January in order to reset.

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A Bar Above

DECEMBER 21, 2023

We here at A Bar Above obviously love cocktails– as do you, I’m sure, since you’re on this site. And the last two years have certainly given us all the reasons to pour drinks. But “ Dry January ”– or any other month, for that matter– can be a beneficial reset, whether your goal is breaking habits, weight loss, or getting better sleep.

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A Bar Above

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

Craft cocktail connoisseurs know that enjoying a cocktail is a multi-sensory experience. Your eyes see the vibrant color of the garnish, your hands feel the temperature of the glass, and your nose takes in the aromas of the cocktail, all before the grand finale of tasting the cocktail itself. You might be wondering how it is possible to achieve all of this, but the answer is simple: It’s all about the glass.

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A Bar Above

NOVEMBER 4, 2023

What if you stumble across a recipe with cracked ice ? You might be thinking to yourself, What the heck is cracked ice? and Ice is just frozen water … What does the size or shape have to do with anything? Well, turns out a lot. Photo by Jan Antonin Kolar via www.unsplash.com While you might only give thought to ice in frozen cocktails , ice is actually really important for dilution of cocktails.

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A Bar Above

NOVEMBER 5, 2023

How to Make Crushed Ice at Home, or Wherever! You finally found a delicious recipe to make your favorite bar cocktail at home, but it’s served with crushed ice. Or maybe you’re having a backyard event and your signature cocktail uses crushed ice. Don’t have any? Don’t panic! There are plenty of options to achieve a tasty cocktail with the perfect ice!

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A Bar Above

NOVEMBER 9, 2023

Ah, the Martini : a classic cocktail that screams elegance and sophistication. But did you know that there are lots of variations of this iconic drink? As basic a recipe as this is, there are tons of ways to make it your own. So let’s take a closer look at the original Martini recipe, the Dry Martini, and the Dirty Martini to better understand their unique characteristics and flavors.

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A Bar Above

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Photo via www.unsplash.com Wondering what to give your favorite bartenders and mixologists this year? Trying to find the perfect gift for bartenders can definitely cause some stress! But don’t fret: If you are buying for a cocktail enthusiast or a professional bartender, we got you covered this holiday season. Below is our ultimate holiday gift list with our top 20 gift ideas for bartenders.

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A Bar Above

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

When you think of holiday cocktails , many people probably think of Christmas — but today, we’re all about Hanukkah (or Chanukah ) , the Jewish holiday celebrating Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire. Photo via www.unsplash.com Hanukkah is an 8-day celebration– sometimes called the festival of lights– and involves a lot of traditions and yummy food.

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A Bar Above

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Copyright A Bar Above Well, another year has come and gone, and we’re already swapping out summer rum for winter whiskey. Which means…it’s almost the holiday season. And of course that means it’s time to SHOP ! So who’s on your list this year? No matter if you’re buying for cocktail lovers, professional bartenders, or cocktail novices, here’s our list of top gifts that are sure to please everyone.

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A Bar Above

NOVEMBER 17, 2023

Hey there, fellow cocktail lovers, wine enthusiasts, and hospitality staff! We’re super excited to announce the addition of a couple new bar items & color lines to our ever-expanding lineup of bar accessories. Since our co-founder, Chris, spent 15 years behind the bar, he really understands the importance of having top-notch tools that won’t just break on you after a couple months– and that also look really, really good.

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A Bar Above

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

Hey everyone! It’s that time of year again—the Black Friday shopping season is here! And we at A Bar Above are really excited about all the awesome holiday deals we have for you. These are definitely our steepest discounts of the year, so make sure not to miss out! Whether you’re looking for a new set of tools for your home bar or just some fun stocking stuffers, our Black Friday offers will definitely help you save some money.

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A Bar Above

DECEMBER 1, 2023

In the world of spirits, whiskey and brandy have such a rich history and timeless feel, wouldn’t you say? There’s just something about these two beloved spirits that entices connoisseurs and newcomers alike with their depth. Both cherished for their complex flavors and exceptional craftsmanship, whiskey and brandy hold a special place in the hearts of cocktail lovers worldwide.

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