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Minimum Age to Bartend–CT, New England, New York

Friday, April 20th, 2012

Age to Bartend Connecticut, New England, NY

The minimum age to bartend in Connecticut is 18. In fact the minimum age to bartend throughout New England in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Massachusetts is 18. Likewise in neighboring New York the minimum age to bartend legally is 18.

That is good news for college age individuals and college students. Bartending is one of the best possible part-time jobs a student can get. It’s fun, flexible, offers tremendous opportunities to earn excellent income and is a skill you can use anywhere in the nation.

Bartending school offers the best payback possible for any kind of training. It’s astonishing. Our bartending school provides fast, fun, hands-on training in a real bar. Our bartender classes are taught by experienced bartenders and knowledgeable mixologists. They prepare you to work in any kind of bar environment. The program is only 40 hours with flexible schedule opportunities. Think of it as the equivalent or better than one week of on-the-job training.

 

Tyler, Bartenders Academy Grad

Will I get hired as a bartender if I’m under 21

That is a great question.  Many of our bartenders initially had the same question.   Not only can we point to specific graduates of our program who have been hired and are under 21, you can visit our school and take an in depth look at our entire comprehensive bartending job placement program. Many potential students do just that. They visit the school and see exactly how we help so many grads land bartending positions throughout Connecticut, in New England, NY, and elsewhere.

When you visit you’ll see exactly which grads landed bartending jobs, where, and when. No crazy claims and unsubstantiated promises. We’ll show you real graduates with real jobs at real bars, clubs, hotels, and caterers and when they got hired.

You will also see which employers we’ve spoken with recently and which are looking for graduates over 21 or not.  More importantly you can go through our most comprehensive placement program process and see that there are grads under 21 landing bartending gigs. We are very thorough and detailed.  You will find that we directly interact with employers….all to the direct benefit of our grads.

If you are looking for that terrific, fun, flexible bartending job whether you are 18-21 or over arrange to see how Bartenders Academy in Waterbury is training students and helping graduates land bartending jobs across the state. Call us at 203-745-6000 and arrange to visit.

Gabriella, another proud grad of Bartenders Academy, Waterbury

CT Drink Recipes – Vanilla Gingerbread Martini

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Vanilla Gingerbread Martini

Vanilla Gingerbread Martini
1 ½ oz. Gingerbread Liqueur
1 oz. Vanilla Vodka
1 oz. Cream (such as Half & Half)
Serve in stemmed cocktail glass
* See a demonstration on how to prepare this drink on our video blog.

Connecticut Cocktails – Holiday Recipes

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

COOKIES WITHOUT CRUMBS

With the holiday season in full swing, cookies are everywhere tempting you! Craving more but don’t think you can take one more bite? How about taking a sip instead? Yup, you read that right. If you’re making cookies for Santa, leave them on a plate. If you want to indulge in some for yourself and friends, serve them in a glass.

All of these drink recipes can be made into a martini, shooter or served on the rocks.

Choclate Cocktails CT

Oatmeal Cookie
½ oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream
½ oz. Buttershots (butterscotch schnapps)
½ oz. Goldschlager

Chocolate Chip Cookie
½ oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream
½ oz. Vanilla Schnapps
½ oz. Frangelico (hazelnut flavored liqueur)

Gingerbread Man
½ oz. Kahlua
½ oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream
½ oz. Goldschlager

Gingerbread Man Cookies Holiday Cocktail

Peppermint Patty
½ oz. Bailey’s
½ oz. Green Cream de Menthe
½ oz. Clear Cream de Cocoa

*All of these drink recipes can be made into a martini, shooter or served on the rocks

Non-alcoholic treat:

Nana’s Nog
3 cups milk
1 cup half ‘n’ half
3 Tablespoons of sugar
Put in blender with ice and frappe
Add some sprinkles or chocolate chips to decorate

 

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to try new things? Why not start right at midnight with your champagne toast? Here are some tips on how to dazzle up that same plain champagne and how to select a champagne or sparkling wine that will be pleasing to your palate.

Champagne & Sparkling Wine

Champagnes and sparkling wines are essentially the same thing but Champagnes are made in the Champagne region of France. When choosing your champagne or sparkling wine you will want to consider how dry or sweet you want it to be.

The driest ones are labeled as Brut or Extra Brut.
The middle range ones are called Extra Dry or Sec.
The sweeter ones will be labeled Demi-Sec or Doux.
The sweetest is Spumante.

Champagne Glasses

To dress up your champagne or sparkling wine this New Year’s Eve try these suggestions. You will want to use one on the drier side:

Berry Flavored Floats with Thomasello Wine
Thomasello makes sweet, berry flavor wines in raspberry, blueberry, and more. This is my personal favorite New Year’s Eve beverage:

Fill your glass ¾ full with champagne or sparkling wine
Float ½ oz. of your favorite flavor on top
*If you want the berry flavor to be more pronounced, just keep adding to taste

Tomasello Fruit Wines

Kir Royal
Fill your glass ¾ full with champagne or sparkling wine
Float ½ oz. of Cream de Cassis (black currant liqueur) on top

Mimosa
½ glass champagne or sparkling wine
½ glass orange juice
For a little extra kick add ½ oz. of an orange flavored liqueur such as triple sec

Raspberry Mimosa
½ glass champagne
½ glass orange juice
½ oz. Chambord (black raspberry flavor liqueur)

Mimosas are also great with brunch the next day to drink up your leftover champagne!

Champagne Cobbler
1 slice orange
1 lemon wedge
1 fresh, skinless pineapple wedge
3/4 oz. maraschino liqueur
4 oz. Champagne

Muddle the fruit and maraschino in the bottom of a bar glass. Add ice and champagne, stir gently and strain into a champagne flute. Garnish with flamed orange peel, and serve.

DRINK RECIPE: THE TIPSY TURKEY

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011


Bartenders Academy Instructor Kellie G prepares the “Tipsy Turkey” for Thanksgiving.  Happy Turkey Day!

 

Bartenders Academy provides professional Bartender Training and National Job Placement Assistance.  For more information, please call (203)754-6000 or visit submit your contact information into the form on this page or the form on our home page at Bartending School

Tasty Thanksgiving Cocktails

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Pie Liquefied

Stressing out about your lack of baking skills with Thanksgiving coming up?  No worries, just serve your “pies” in liquid form with these great products and recipes! They’ll have your friends talking and the smoke alarm keeping quiet.If fruit pies are the favorite:Try Travis Hasse’s Apple Pie or Cherry Pie Liqueur (20% ABV). Each can be used to make martinis, cocktails or blended with ice cream to make a most delicious milkshake for the adults.Also, you can find schnapps in pretty much any fruit flavor that mix well with each other, vodka and juices to make delicious fruity beverages. Some popular brands include Dekuyper, Stirrings, and Rose’s Cocktail Infusions.


Roses Cocktail Infusions

 


Tipsy Turkey

1 oz. Wild Turkey American Honey
½ oz. Apple Pie Liqueur
Cranberry Juice
Cinnamon Garnish
Serve this drink in a tall glass with ice
*This cocktail is a Bartenders Academy original. See a demonstration on how to prepare this
drink on our video blog.

Sweet Apple Pie Shooter

½ oz. Apple Schnapps
½ oz. Buttershots (Butterscotch schnapps)
½ oz. Goldschlager
Chill, swirl, strain

For those partial to pumpkin pie: Try Molly’s Pumpkin Spice Irish Cream (17% ABV) or Fulton’s Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cream Liqueur (12.5% ABV). Molly’s is a dairy cream made with Irish Whiskey and pumpkin flavor blended with hints of cinnamon, brown sugar, clove and vanilla. Fulton’s is made with pumpkin flavor combined with vanilla, brown sugar, nutmeg and other spices.

Either of these can be served on the rocks (on ice), poured on top of desserts like ice cream, or added to a nice hot cup of coffee.  Or to get a little fancier you can make a creamy pumpkin pie dessert martini.

Creamy Pumpkin Pie Martini

Pumpkin Spice Martini
1 ½ oz. Vanilla Vodka
1 oz. Pumpkin Pie Cream Liqueur
Shake to chill and pour
Garnish with Cinnamon or Nutmeg
Rim glass with finely crushed Graham cracker

Stingy Jack’s Pumpkin Wine


Stingy Jack Pumpkin Wine
Want a special festive wine with your dinner? Try Stingy Jack’s Pumpkin Wine from Les Trois Emme Winery in Mass.  It’s made from their Cayuga White (similar to a Riesling) infused with pumpkin spices.

“Cocktail” for the Kid’s Table

Spicy Cranberry Punch
1/2 cup red cinnamon candies
4 C. water
8 C. cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
6 oz. can frozen limeade concentrate
6 oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate
In small pan, melt candies in water; chill. At serving time, combine candy liquid and fruit
juices in punch bowl. Stir to dissolve. Makes 18, 5-oz. cups.

*Note: (ABV) stands for Alcohol by Volume

2011 October Bartender Job Market Outlook

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

OCTOBER BARTENDER JOB MARKET OUTLOOK

 

Bartenders Academy provides insight into the different types of establishments that are seeking bartenders

Partial List of Where Bartenders Academy Graduates are working

ICE ULTRA LOUNGE
Waterbury
SILVER CITY SPORTS BAR
Meriden
ANNA LIFFEY”S
New Haven
TAVERN
Monroe
Bartenders Academy
Waterbury
ACAPULCO”S MADRID RESTAURANT
Thomaston
TURF RESTAURANT
Waterbury
DOWNTOWN DANNY O’S
Shelton
SOCO’S BAR AND RESTAURANT
New Haven
JM CURLEY”S
Boston
TITANIUM
Middletown
RED HOUSE BAR & GRILL
Waterbury
ARCH II SPORTS BAR & GRILLE
Rocky Hill
PSAM”S
Torrington
JT’S BAR AND GRILL
Waterbury
COCO KEY HOTEL WATER RESORT
Waterbury
COCO KEY HOTEL WATER RESORT
Waterbury
BABALOO LOUNGE
Norwalk
SAN MARINO RESTAURANT
Waterbury
DANBURY BILLIARDS
Danbury
STADIUM SPORTS BAR
Waterbury
STADIUM SPORTS BAR
Waterbury
AUGIE’S RESTAURANT
Branford
THE SHADOW ROOM
Middletown
WICKED WOLF
New Haven
CRESCENDO Jazz and Blues Lounge
Miami
PRIVATE PARTIES
New Haven
MERIDEN PBA
Meriden

Outlook for October:

  • Bars are beginning to increase hires around this time to prepare for the increased demand during the holiday season.
  • Timing: Many establishments will be adding bartenders now while a few will be hiring closer to the end of the year.
  • What Bar Owners & Managers are seeking: personality, creativity, and strong work ethic.

Bottom Line:

  • There is plenty of opportunity for bartenders looking to get to work
  • The industry is in need of more Professional and Certified bartenders
  • We are currently tracking over 50 different bars seeking bartenders all over Connecticut
  • If you are looking to get into bartending, NOW is the time.

October Bartender Graduate of the Month: Joel Garay

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

OCTOBER 2011 Featured Graduate & Bartender:

Joel Garay

 


You can spot Joel Garay, bartender and Bartenders Academy Graduate,  working at Babaloo’s in Norwalk on a busy Saturday night serving the trendiest cocktails with blazing speed and pin point accuracy.  His smile, style, and flair keeps a steady stream of customers ordering and tipping from the bar opens until last call.What does Joel enjoy about bartending?When asked what he love’s about bartending, Joel doesn’t hesitate to let you know that it’s the people, the energy, and money.  And while grinning from ear to ear about the financial rewards of slinging drinks with excellent customer service, he’s the first to tell you that its the people that make this job fun.  The crazy patrons, from all over the state of Connecticut, and all over the country, bring an energy of excitement and fun that makes his job feel like he’s not even at work.  The positive relationships, the ability to help people forget all of their troubles (if only for a moment), the great memories…they’re all connected by great people sharing great experiencesWhat’s a night like for Joel?Joel works like a champ but the energy he exerts is more like that of an athletic high you get during a big sports game.  It’s you against the clock.  How many people can you serve and serve well?  How many Martinis, how many Long Island Iced Teas, how many Cosmopolitans can you make without missing a drop or an order?  How much can you make that register ring? How many plays (recipes) have you mastered?  At the end of the game, your scoreboard (the cash register) is filled with points (bar sales and tips), and your fans (your customers) adore you.  Your coach (the bar manager) says job well done and you walk off the field (behind the bar) with your game-winning trophy (a pocket full of cash).Straight From the Bartenders Mouth:
Favorite Drink: I’m a red wine kind of guy
Favorite Drink to make: Long Island Ice Tea:  There’s nothing like grabbing all the bottles
Most important bartender quality: Professionalism.How did he get his start?

Back in 2009 when Joel started taking the course he traveled over an hour to get to his Bartending Classes at the Bartenders Academy in Waterbury.  At the time he didn’t have a car and was working as a physical trainer.  Shortly after graduating the class, Joel went on to work for Cedar Brooke Cafe in Westport.  While working there he went on to bartend at Red Lobster, Van Dome Night Club and Center St Lounge in New Haven.  He’s currently tending bar at Babaloo’s in Norwalk and has made a name for himself in the New Haven and Fairfield County.

What’s Next?

Now he’s riding in a nice whip and pursuing his life long dream of making it on the big screen!  We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours and for you the readers, we wish you the opportunity to Joel.  Not only is he a really good bartender, but he’s a pretty awesome guy too.  If you are looking for top notch service, an amazing drink, and a memorable night out stop by and visit Joel or as he likes to be called “Joe Bartendere”

Bartenders Academy provides professional Bartender Training and National Job Placement Assistance.  For more information, please call (203)754-6000 or visit submit your contact information into the form on this page or the form on our home page at Bartending School

Halloween Bartending

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011


HALLOWEEN BARTENDING

October’s ghoulish holiday of ghosts and goblins makes for a sweet treat for bartenders ($$$).  Those fortunatate little monsters who have the opportunity to tend bar on this night of tricks and terrors increase their income significantly.  Hoards of patrons haunt the bar thirsty for their Zombie Cocktails and Wolf-Bite Shooters while creative bartenders reap huge rewards by embracing the holiday.

Halloween, the official kick off of the bartending holiday season, marks the start of a huge increase in income that lasts through the end of the year.  From Halloween, to Thanksgiving, to the major religious holidays, to New Year’s Eve, and all the other local celebrations, there are tons of opportunities for both short term work and for long term work that start during the fall.

4 Reasons bartenders make money during the holidays

  • Bars get busy!  This means more customers
  • Everyone’s in a great mood.  People are more tip happy
  • There’s a ton of energy in the air. ummm…see previous statement
  • It’s officially party season, just pick a holiday! There are more parties and more shifts which is an opportunity to make more income!
This is the largest increase in bar business throughout the year: from the fall to the middle of winter…BUT…there’s a catch…it becomes more competitive to land a great bartending job once the season is in full swing, so its best to beat the bartender job rush and start bartending as soon as possible.Bartenders who are already working by Halloween, position themselves to get the best shifts, at the best bars, and prepare themselves for all of those thirsty party-goers who will be ready to have fun and ready to tip big…really big throughout the holiday season!
FOR BARTENDERS ONLY:
Five Easy Ways to increase your tips on Halloween:
  1. Creative costume (Your competing for attention, sometimes less can be more)
  2. Creative make-up (Fake scars:How about nice gash in the neck or slash on the cheek)
  3. Signature Cocktail (Make a devilishly tasty cocktail and present with style)
  4. Candy (Everyone’s a sucker for a sucker! Lolipops, mints, chocolates)
  5. Prizes & Contests for the best dressed or most creative bartender with their favorite drink

Congratulations you’re now ready to bartend and make great tips on the scariest night of the year…by way, there’s a big green monster reading this over your shoulder and he looks pretty thirsty…I’d pour him a drink before he goes for blood…MWAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

Bartenders Academy provides professional Bartender Training and National Job Placement Assistance.  For more information, please call (203)754-6000 or visit submit your contact information into the form on this page or the form on our home page at Bartending School

DRINK RECIPE: THE SCREAMING GREEN MONSTER!!!

Saturday, October 8th, 2011

Bartenders Academy Instructor Kellie G prepares a “Screaming Green Monster” for Halloween.  It’s slimy green and delicious too!

Bartenders Academy provides professional Bartender Training and National Job Placement Assistance.  For more information, please call (203)754-6000 or visit submit your contact information into the form on this page or the form on our home page at Bartending School

Creepy Halloween Drinks

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

It’s the that of the year for Vampires, Zombies, Ghosts and tricks or treats.
These drink recipes can make any Halloween party even that much scarier.

We have some shooters, martinis, and cocktails that are to die for. Mwhaahaha!

CREEPY SHOOTERS:

Wolf Bite:

1oz Lucid Absinthe
1oz Midori (melon liqueur)
1 oz Lemon Lime Soda
1.5 oz Pineapple Juice
Drizzle of Grenadine.

How to make it snap:
Add the Lucid, Midori, Pineapple Juice, and ice into a cocktail shaker.
Shake vigorously and strain into a 2 ounce shot glass.
Splash lemon-lime soda on top and drizzle of grenadine.

Freddy Kruger:
½ oz Sambuca
½ oz Jagermeister
½ oz Vodka
Swirl Strain and Pour into an old fashioned glass.

Tootsie Roll:

½ oz Kahlua
½ oz Brown crème de Cacao
¾ oz Orange Juice
Swirl, Strain and Pour into an old fashioned glass.

Voodoo Shot:
½ oz Peppermint Schnapps
½ oz Vodka
Swirl, Strain and Pour into a shot glass.

Swedish Fish:

¾ oz Black Haus
¼ oz Cranberry
Swirl Strain and Pour into an old fashioned glass.

Jolly Rancher:
¾ oz Vodka
¼ oz Midori
¼ oz Peach Schnapps
A Splash of Cranberry
Swirl , Strain and Pour into an old fashioned glass.

Bloody Brain:
¾ oz Baileys
¼ oz Chambord
Swirl, Strain and Pour into an old fashioned glass.

 

HAIR-RAISING COCKTAILS:

The first is Dracula’s Kiss:

1 oz Black Cherry Vodka
½ oz Grenadine and Cola.
Finally maraschino cherries for garnish.

How to brew it:
Coat the bottom of a highball glass with grenadine
add ice and vodka fill with the cola.
Then garnish with the cherries.

Next is the Devils Punch:
2oz Tequila
1oz Orange Liqueur
1oz Limoncello
1oz Sour Mix
Dash of Orange Juice

How to make:
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake well then strain into a sour or highball glass.
To get rid of those pesky ghosts try a ghost buster.

Ghost Buster:
1oz Peach Schnapps
1 oz Melon Liqueur
And finally 3-5 drops of Irish Cream Liqueur.

To make this drink:
Pour the peach schnapps and melon liqueur into a cocktail shaker with ice.
Pour into a cocktail glass.
Add Irish Cream drop by drop into the center of the drink.

And of course you cannot forget about the delicious Zombie.

Zombie:

Collins Glass
½ oz of Dark Rum
½ oz Light Rum
½ oz of Triple Sec
½ oz of Crème de Almond
fill with ½ Orange Juice and ½ Sour Mix
Roll drink from the glass into a tin and back into the glass
Add a ½ oz of Bacardi 151
Finally garnish with a cherry and orange.

 

SCREAMING MARTINIS (Wooooo)

A Black Martini:



3-½ oz Vodka or Gin (Blavod Vodka is a black colored vodka which would make it look even spookier)
½ oz Blackberry Brandy or Black Raspberry liqueur
And garnish with a lemon twist.
Create this potion by pouring the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake it well then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Next is a drink from our eight-legged friend.

The spider Kiss:



1oz Midori
1 oz Vodka
Juice from ½ Lemon
Chocolate
Grenadine
And you cant forget the chocolate dipped orange slice for the garnish.

How to spin this drink

Make a chocolate web into a martini glass.
Place the glass into the freezer and chill for a ghostly effect.
Shake all ingredients and strain into the glass.

For a blood effect, drizzle grenadine down the side of the glass.
Garnish with the chocolate dipped orange slice.

Time for a kiss from a vampire…

Vampire Kiss:


1 ½ oz Finlandia Vodka
1 ½ oz of Korbel Champagne
¾ oz Chambord
Red sugar for the rim

How to make:

Rim the glass with the red sugar.
The way to make it bite is to pour vodka and half of the Chambord in a martini glass.
Top with Champagne.
And pour the remaining Chambord over the back of a spoon to make it float.

Gummy Worm Punch

Image of Gummy Worm Punch
4 cups unsweetened apple juice
4 cups orange juice
2/3 cup lemonade concentrate
2 cups water
20 gummy worms
4 1/3 cups lemon-lime soda — chilled

Preparation:
In a punch bowl, combine the apple juice, orange juice and lemonade concentrate. Pour water and 1 cup juice mixture into a 5-cup ring mold; add gummy worms. Freeze until solid. Meanwhile, refrigerate juice mixture until chilled.

Just before serving, add soda to juice mixture. Unmold ice ring by wrapping the bottom of the mold in a damp hot dishcloth; invert onto a baking sheet. Place worm side up in punch bowl.

 

MORE FUN HALLOWEEN DRINKS!!!

Devil’s Advocate
1 shot Bacardi Limon
1 shot Triple sec
3/4 oz Sour mix
1 tbsp Grenadine
4 oz Cranberry juice
Mixing instructions:
In a shaker mix all ingredients. Pour over ice.

Ecto Cooler
1 package Lemon-Lime Kool-Aid mix
20 oz Vodka
1 Lemon, sliced
1 Lime, sliced
1 cup Sugar or more for taste
Fill with Water and ice
Mixing instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a large (1/2 gallon) pitcher. Shake and enjoy!

Black Cat
1 oz. Schnapps, black cherry (Black Haus)
1 1/2 oz. Vodka
2 oz. Cola
2 oz. Cranberry Juice
Mixing Instructions:
Stir everything together with ice. Garnish with a mandarin orange slice if available.

Bartenders Academy provides professional Bartender Training and National Job Placement Assistance.  For more information, please call (203)754-6000 or visit submit your contact information into the form on this page or the form on our home page at Bartending School