How to Mix Drinks for a Club or Party

Whether you are a professional bartender or simply a host, being able to mix drinks properly is essential when throwing a party. Mixing alcoholic beverages is akin to science. If you mess up one or more ingredients, the entire drink is ruined and, as a result, your party will not be given the best of reviews. While you can (and should) have a reference book of alcoholic beverage recipes handy, that in itself does not make a proper drink. You need to learn and practice the proper technique to truly master mixology.

• 1

  Affix pourers to the tops of all the bottles you will be using when mixing the drinks. There are several varieties, but plastic ones work well, are inexpensive and can be bought at most party-supply stores.

• 2

  Fill a glass completely with ice. This is known as "icing up" the drink. The more ice in the drink, the less mix you will need, making for a stronger drink.

• 3

  Grip the alcohol bottle in your dominant hand with your pinky, ring and middle fingers around the neck and your index finger draped over the pourer.

• 4

  Flick your wrist to turn the alcohol bottle upside down at slightly less than a 90-degree angle to pour it into the glass or a mixing tin. Repeat this with each alcoholic ingredient of the drink until all alcohol components have been poured. If you are using a mixing tin, add the mixer (soda, tonic, juice, etc.) and ice, as well.

• 5

  Fill the glass to the top with the mixer(s). If you already mixed the drink in a mixing tin, pour it from the tin over the fresh ice in the glass, using either a glass or a strainer to keep the ice from the tin out of the glass.

• 6

  Add fruit garnish on top if the recipe calls for it. This will vary depending on the drink and includes variations of lime, lemon, orange, cherries and olives.