ESSENTIAL BAR SKILLS: LAYERING
Layering: the technique that, when done right, can result in beautiful levels of flavour or, when done wrong, a cloudy muddle of ingredients… and let’s face it, no one wants their customer to say ‘that doesn’t look like a baby Guinness?!’
So whether you are making a French Coffee or a Baileys B52, it's time to get to grips with your layering technique. Not only does it add theatre to creating serves (making you look like the true professional that you are!), it can also enhance the taste experience for your customer as different ingredients are released in a specific order when the drink is sipped. So, let’s get started.
Essential tools for layering
First of all the tools – here’s what you need in order to perfect your layering technique:
Bar spoon
This is used to pour the liquids into the glass over the back of a bar spoon.
Syringe
A specialised, non-medical syringe can be used for ease and accuracy.
Patience
There's a real art to layering and the slower you do it, the better!
How to layer
For layering, the important thing to remember is the densities of the liquids you're using.
Put simply, heavier liquids go first with the lighter liquids on top.
To begin, it's better to follow proven recipes as you know the order and densities will work once the method is perfected.
Practise your layering!
Now put everything you have learnt into practice with this Baileys coffee recipe.
Baileys Coffee
50ml BAILEYS
100ml Black coffee
Top up with double cream
METHOD:
Pour Baileys into a glass.
Heat with steam wand on coffee machine.
Fill glass 3/4 full with black coffee.
Carefully layer double cream on top of drink
(2 standard drinks – 1.6 units per serve)
Liqueurs & Spirited Drinks
The history of liqueurs can be traced as far back as the 13th century when European monks originally created liqueurs for medicinal use.
The Essential Technique of Pouring
Whatever you're pouring, a good technique ensures accuracy, improves speed of serve and reassures your customers.
CELEBRATE COFFEE
Take a look at our top serves and tips on how to make the most of International Coffee Day in your bar.
Perfecting Classic Cocktails
Steve Timpson from the Diageo Bar Academy training team reveals his perfect serve recipes for some popular classic cocktails.
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