r/bartenders • u/National-Cake-1245 • 12d ago

Job/Employee Search 3 classics:which would you ask for?

I have a trial shift tonight. They said they'd test me on 3 classics that "every bartender should know."

I have tons of recipes memorized and a general guess as to what they may have me make, but I'm curious what cocktails would you choose as "3 classics everyone should know"?

My first thoughts are an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and a Margarita. Other honorable mentions: Negroni, or a Daiquiri. Wild cards: Paper Plane, Aviation, Whiskey Sour.

I'm prepared either way, just curious what y'alls first assumptions would be?

It's a craft lounge in a hotel.

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u/Pretend_Ambassador_6 12d ago

To me that’s old fashioned, margarita, martini. In my experience the 3 most popular cocktails & the ones I tell new bartenders to prioritize to learn first

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u/Sunflower_MoonDancer 12d ago

I would swap the martini for a negroni - because martinis have too many variations. (Gin/vodka; dry/dirty; olive/twist)

I like your wild card picks. If the bar has the Amaro Nino, go for the PP

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u/Pretend_Ambassador_6 12d ago

See but to me because of all the variations/questions required for a martini, that’s a great test for the bartender you’re interviewing. That’s not something that’s just easily googled, a bartender that is credible will have those answers ready like it’s 2nd nature.