The Mysterious Nature of Absinthe

You have seen paintings of people drinking it. Perhaps you have heard of that it contains properties that create hallucinations? It has a long and illustrious name dated back to the early Greeks. It is sometimes known as the Green Fairy. Have you guessed? Absinthe!

Wormwood extracts and wine soaked wormwood leaves were indeed used for medicinal purposes in Greece. In the 19th century, artists and writers such as Toulouse Lautrec, Vincent Van Gogh,and Oscar Wilde were found of drinking Absinthe. American writer Ernest Hemingway was known to be fond of the drink as well. However, the mysterious side effects of the drink, coupled with a strong reaction against the Bohemian culture lead social conservatives and temperance activists to lobby for a ban on the production and consumption of the drink.even

The liquor type substance is derived from the herbs and flowers of the "grande wormwood" plant. Its qualities are markedly different from those of the other alcoholic beverages such as gin or vodka. Because of the chemicals in the plant, the experience of being intoxicated on this liquor is quite different. It has a very high proof rating thus intoxication occurs far more rapidly when the "green fairy" is consumed without first being diluted. The 19th century ban, which has lasted almost one hundred years, was the result of myths about the hallucinogenic properties of the drink. However, current research has refuted those myths.

In the 1990's the Green Fairy experienced a resurgence in Europe. Now, there are over 200 brands of Absinthe manufactured. The United States allows Absinthe to be sold in this country now absent of thujone, a property of the wormwood plant. Responsible drinking is always required when consuming liquor.

To learn more about alochol, drinks, and a career as a bartender call us now or visit us on the web at http://www.abcbartending.com. We have 145 locations across the nation.

Europe is swept by 1940s fever and the drinks lead the way

The times they are a changing. Or so the song goes. But over in Europe they are dancing to our Big Band music and drinking our 1940s cocktails.

While many of the popular drinks during that time had a previous history, many found renewed acclaim during the hard times of the war era. Good quality liquor was not easy to find -- nor was it affordable. Thus, the drinking scene turned to mixed cocktails. Rum, however, was easily obtained.

Take a look at this list and see what sounds familiar. Sloe Gin Fizz, Manhattan, Martini, Sherry Flip (made with a raw egg and cream sherry – uh oh!), and Daiquiri. Here is where the story get interesting. A cousin of the Daiquiri, the Hurricane found its place in the annals of drinkology during this era. It all happened in New Orleans. A tavern owner, Pat O’Brien, tired of the cheap rums he had bought and anxious to be done with them, created a sensation with this new concoction of rum and passion fruit syrup. He placed the drink in a hurricane lamp shaped glass and sold it to the soldiers. Little did he know that it would be synonymous with New Orleans 70 plus years later.

You can learn how to make all of the drinks mentioned above and more. Check out our website for class schedules across the nation. ABC Bartending School, everything you need to know about bartending and more.

Retro is in. Do you know your drink history?

It began innocently enough. In the late 1890s, folks used to drink a tall chilled glass of ginger ale with a twist of lemon peel. One day, a bar tender added bourbon to the drink. While his job was at stake, the drink became an instant success. The result -- his job was secured and the drink began a long and success run that continues today. It remains one of the IBA's (International Bartending Association) drink at the annual World Cocktail Competition.

The Horse's Neck (as this thirst quenching taste is known) has been discussed in papers since 1897. It was a resoundingly popular drink during the 1950s and 60s and remains so today. Required elements: a tall glass, ice, ginger ale, whiskey or brandy, and a spiral of lemon.

Benefits to being a Bartender

Bartending can be a great job:

1. If you have a good personality
2. You enjoy meeting new people
3. Enjoy listening to others speak
4. If you are looking for a way to network
5. If you want to increase your earning capacity

If you like being around people this job it for you. However, it is best to learn the skills attending to being a bartender from the people who know at ABC Bartending Schools.

Many of the better restaurants and bars will ask for certification. Be prepared! Give yourself a head start in becoming a bartender by earning your certificate first.

Become a Bartender at ABC Bartending School

So you want to become a bartender to make money, meet people, and have a good time? Well welcome to the world of professional bartending - that’s what bartending is all about.

Bartending has been dubbed the ‘recession-proof’ job of the last and present century. People look to the bartender when times are either good or bad, when they are in need of a friendly face, a smile, and a great drink.

Back in the day, the modern bartender was commonly referred to as a mixologist, which is the art of mixing drinks that has evolved through the years and been featured in such well-known movies as Cocktail and Coyote Ugly and TV shows such as Cheers and The Jackie Gleason Show.

So what are you waiting for? Go to www.abcbartendingnationwide.com, chose a bartending school near you, and start having fun while making money!

Bartending Jobs

Are you looking for a job as a bartender? If yes, then you may be asking the following question:

How do I get started looking for a bartending job?

Simple, pick the local street in your town that has the most amount of bars. Then go from side to side filling out applications and asking for a bartending position. Remember this very important statement: "The more you go, the more you show and the more you are heard, the better chance of getting a job. However, the less you go and the less you show, the less chance you have at getting a bartending job." If you only go out on 1 interview a week then how many people are honestly going to know that you're looking for work? If you go out on 20 job interviews per week, then the percentages will speak for themselves. Again, get the most amount of job interviews in the least amount of time!

Shirley Temple

The Shirley Temple Cocktail

glass filled with ice cubes
Almost fill with ginger ale
1/2 oz. grenadine
a cherry

The drink was invented by a bartender at Chasen's restaurant in Beverly Hills, CA. It was named for the famous child actress Shirley Temple, who often visited the restaurant. She was too young to drink alcoholic cocktails like the adult movie stars, when she attended parties or visited with them.
When Temple herself is asked for her opinion of these drinks named for her, she invariably replies that she dislikes them because they are too sweet, and that she does not gain earnings for the use of her name.Later, the popular beverage became available bottled in supermarkets as the first soft drink to include a cherry.

Learn how to make this drink and become a professional bartender at
ABC Bartending Schools nationwide

Bartending School of Chicago
downtown Chicago 312) 664-0704
Chicago suburbs (847) 228-0700