

With some drinks, it's very difficult to tell, especially with vodka and rum. Either way, the result is that you're paying for a higher quality of liquor than you're receiving. Another way is to apply expensive labels to bottles of a cheaper brand, but this is time-consuming and tricky to pull off. The simplest way to achieve the brand swap is to pour cheap liquor into empty bottles of a more expensive brand.

And that's not likely to happen in a busy bar scenario. The only way to know for sure is to test a neat shot from an open bottle against a neat shot from a bottle that has not yet been touched. However, you see nothing wrong because the pours all look legit. But it's very profitable for the bartender and the owner. It's only going to be around 10 to 15 percent of the bottle's volume, which makes it very difficult for the average customer to detect. The bartender will simply add water to the liquor in the bottle, be it a clear spirit, or something darker. But however it happens, it's an easy way to rip off customers in plain sight. To be fair, this is usually a collaboration between the bartender and the owner. (See also: 15 Ways to Save Money When Getting Your Drink On) 3. If you want what you pay for, ask the bartender to cut the theatrics. Sometimes the bartender doesn't even realize they are shortchanging you, believing the showmanship is all part of the experience. These long pours are done quickly, and therefore cheat you of alcohol. The amount of alcohol you get is based on the time it takes to come out of the spout, and has nothing to do with the length of the stream. By pulling the bottle away from the glass and creating a long stream of alcohol, you believe you're getting a healthy shot. One of the easiest ways to trick you into thinking you're getting more booze than you actually are is the long pour. Next time your bartender goes all Tom Cruise in Cocktail'on you, be skeptical. The easiest way to find out is to wipe the rim of the glass thoroughly with a napkin and take another sip. If you are watching the bartender closely, and the glass disappears from sight for a few seconds, you could be a victim of the rim dip. You don't realize this because you taste and smell alcohol every time you take a sip. You order your drink, the bartender dips the rim of the glass in the sponge, then pours a drink that's very light on alcohol. The easiest method is to have a sponge soaked in alcohol out of sight.
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The bartender can do this in several ways, but the outcome is the same the rim of the glass will be dipped in the alcohol of your choice, from vodka or gin, to whiskey or brandy. This is a sneaky way to serve you less alcohol than you paid for, by tricking your senses into smelling and tasting a strong drink. Whatever the reason, here are the most common ways your bartender can rip you off. Or, the bartender is finding ways to pocket cash. The customer could be difficult, or even rude. He or she may be under orders from the owner to cut corners and save money. But sometimes you'll come across a bartender who is not giving you what you're paying for. They're professional, they enjoy interacting with customers, and they work incredibly hard. Let's be clear, most bartenders out there are great. Read more stories like this by liking Atlanta Restaurant Scene on Facebook, following on Twitter and on Instagram. Sign up for the AJC Food and Dining Newsletter He will be making appearances at Augusta retailers the week of the Masters in April.Įxplore Our favorite dishes in Atlanta right now “As Americans we need to stand by and support democracy throughout the world.”įuzzy’s Vodka will donate 20% of sales to the Red Cross in March and April, specifically the SAF Division, which serves the military and veteran community. “I’ve played golf all over the world and can tell you that there’s no better place in the world than America,” said Zoeller. Open and the Masters Tournament, suggests renaming the cocktail American Stallion. Created by PGA legend Frank Urban “Fuzzy” Zoeller, the Indiana vodka is distilled with Midwest corn. American-made Fuzzy’s Vodka also has called for a name change.
