Bartending is full of legends, tricks, and “rules” that have been passed down for generations. But are they all true? Not exactly. Today, we’re busting some of the biggest bartending myths so you can serve, or chug with confidence!
1. “More Expensive Liquor Always Makes a Better Cocktail”
🚫 Myth: Top-shelf spirits always create superior cocktails.
✅ Truth: While high-quality liquor can enhance a drink, the real key is balance. A $100 bottle won’t save a poorly made cocktail, and some classic drinks actually taste better with mid-tier spirits that blend well with mixers.
2. “A Martini Should Always Be Shaken, Not Stirred”
🚫 Myth: James Bond had it right—shake that martini!
✅ Truth: Stirring a martini creates a smoother, silkier texture, while shaking introduces air bubbles and slight cloudiness. Unless you like your drink a little more aerated, classic martinis are usually stirred. Sorry, 007!
3. “The More Flair, The Better the Bartender”
🚫 Myth: If they’re flipping bottles and spinning shakers, they must be amazing!
✅ Truth: Flair bartending is fun to watch, but it doesn’t always mean better drinks. A great bartender focuses on efficiency, precision, and consistency—flashy moves are a waste, unless you’ve actually perfected all the other arts of bartending.
4. “The Harder You Shake, the Better the Cocktail”
🚫 Myth: If you shake it like your life depends on it, you’ll get the best result.
✅ Truth: Shaking should be firm, not frantic. Overdoing it can over-dilute your drink or create a foamy mess. The goal is to chill, mix, and slightly aerate—no need for a full-body workout.
5. “Darker Liquor Is Always Stronger Than Clear Liquor”
🚫 Myth: Whiskey and dark rum pack a bigger punch than vodka or gin.
✅ Truth: Liquor strength depends on ABV (alcohol by volume), not color. Some clear spirits (like overproof rum or navy-strength gin) are actually much stronger than your average whiskey.
6. “Floating Liquor on Top Makes a Drink Stronger”
🚫 Myth: If the liquor sits on top, the whole drink is more potent.
✅ Truth: The drink still has the same alcohol content, but the first sip might hit harder because the booze hasn’t been mixed in. Stir it up, and it’s the same strength as if it were blended.
Final Pour
Bartending is part science, part skill, and part showmanship—but not everything you’ve heard is true. Next time someone claims one of these myths, you’ll be ready to set the record straight!
Which myth surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments! 🍹👇