Even the professional bartender measures the ingredients of the drinks he makes. Don’t guess. Measure all ingredients as the recipe directs for the perfect drink every time.

Serve your cocktails icy cold. The colder the better. Be sure that cocktail glasses are well chilled before you use them. Pre-chill glasses in the refrigerator, or let them stand filled with shaved ice before using them. It makes all drinks better.

Sugar is hard to dissolve in alcohol, so use a splash of water to dissolve it before you add the liquor. Or use simple syrup. It mixes instantly and actually helps make drinks smoother.

Always put ice in the glass or shaker before pouring ingredients. That way, the liquids are chilled as they are poured over the ice.

You’ll get more juice from lemons and oranges if you first soak them in warm water.

Use only fresh fruit whenever possible. Peels should be without a trace of white underskin; a paring gadget makes it easy. Fruit slices should be cut about one-quarter inch thick and slit towards the center to fix slice on rim of glass.

When the recipe calls for a twist of lemon peel, rub a narrow strip of peel around the rim of the glass. Then twist the peel so that the oil (usually one small drop) will drop into the drink. Then drop in the peel.

When the ingredients are clear liquids, you STIR for proper mixing. If the drink contains a carbonated mixer (soda, ginger ale), stir gently to preserve the sparkle. SHAKE drinks containing fruit juices, sugar, eggs, cream or other ingredients difficult to mix. Really shake – don’t just rock.

A clean piece of wax paper rubbed on the rim of a bottle will prevent dripping when you pour.

For “frosted” drinks, store glasses in refrigerator, or bury in shaved ice long enough to give them a white, frosted, ice-cold look. For a “sugar-frosted” glass, moisten the rim of a pre-chilled glass with a slice of lime or lemon and then dip rim into powdered sugar.

Strain all cocktails before serving with a wire strainer – never silver. Use with clips that permit the wire to rest within the rim of the mixing glass or shaker.

Measures: Jigger: 1 1/2 oz. – 2 oz. Pony: 1 oz. Dash: 1/6 oz. Teaspoon: 1/8 oz.