Job Tips
·5 min read
Every bartender needs a rock-solid foundation, and that starts with five drinks that have stood the test of time. The Old Fashioned, Margarita, Daiquiri, Manhattan, and Negroni are not just popular orders - they represent the core techniques you will use behind every bar. Muddling, shaking, stirring, balancing sweet and bitter - these five drinks cover it all.
At PBS, students learn these recipes during their first few sessions. The emphasis is not on memorization alone but on understanding ratios and technique. Once you can build an Old Fashioned with your eyes closed and shake a Daiquiri to the right dilution, you have the muscle memory to tackle almost any cocktail a guest throws at you.
The beauty of mastering classics is that they become your creative launchpad. A Negroni riff with mezcal and amaro, a Daiquiri variation with passion fruit - these are the kinds of specials that land you a spot on a craft cocktail menu. But the creativity only works if the fundamentals are bulletproof.
If you are just starting your bartending journey, resist the urge to jump straight into elaborate tiki builds or molecular garnishes. Spend your first weeks perfecting these five. Your future employers - and your guests - will thank you.
Thinking about bartending?
Book a tour of our Arlington campus and see the training environment for yourself.
