CBA Exam: Chapters 1 and 2

Preliminaries, Spirits, Modifiers, and Binders

What is a cocktail?

Any beverage that balances flavors and ingredients, and includes alcohol

What is a Built cocktail?

Made in the glass it was served

What is a Shaken cocktail?

Shaken in a shaker tin

What is a wash line?

The line where a cocktail is filled in a particular glass, indicating the proper serving level.

Purpose of measuring ingredients

1. To balance the flavors

2. To balance the alcohol

Precisely determines the amount of each flavor and alcohol present.

ABV

Expressed as a percentage and indicates the percent of the substance that is alcohol per each unit of volume

Proof

Expressed as a number and equal to twice the ABV percentage number

How much pure alcohol does a standard drink contain?

14 grams/0.5 oz pure ethanol

How much liquor is one standard drink?

1.5 oz at 40% ABV

How much beer and wine is one standard drink?

12 oz beer, 5 oz wine

What is BAC?

Indicates the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream as a percentage

What is the legal BAC limit?

0.08% for a DUI

Factors affecting BAC

1. Biological sex/hormone levels

2. Metabolic rate

3. Size/weight (muscle mass)

4. Food consumption

5. Rate of consumption

6. ABV/proof of drink

7. Medications/drugs in the system

Visible cues of intoxication

Don’t be a JIRC!

1. Judgment (inappropriate behavior)

2. Inhibitions (sudden behavioral change)

3. Reaction time (unfocused eyes, slowed movements)

4. Coordination (impaired motor control)

Dram Shop Act and Significance

Enforces civil liability for dangerous acts performed by intoxicated customers due to negligence by a serving party

• don’t overserve people!

Definition of a spirit (3 criteria)

1. Distilled alcoholic beverages

2. Do not contain added sugar

3. Contain at least 40% ABV

Base ingredients/flavors of Vodka

Made from neutral grain

Base ingredients/flavors of Gin

Neutral grain, steeped or vapor-infused with juniper and botanicals and then redistilled

Base ingredients/flavors of Rum

Made from sugarcane or molasses that are fermented and distilled before undergoing an optional aging process in either stainless steel vats or oak barrels.

Types: White/clear rum in stainless steel, Gold/pale rum in oak barrels for some time, dark rum in oak for extended period, black rum for longest time

Base ingredients/flavors of Agave

1. Mezcal: smoky, earthy, floral

2. Tequila: sweet, fruity, toasty

Base ingredients/flavors of Whiskey

Made from neutral grains

1. Irish Whiskey - made from malt, smooth, distilled in wood casks for 3+ yrs

2. Scotch Whisky - made from malt or grain in Scotland, aged 3+ yrs in oak

3. Japanese Whisky - similar to Scotch, dry, smoky, peaty

4. Canadian Whisky - high corn content, barrel aged 3+ yrs, light/smooth

Base ingredients/flavors of Bourbon

Made with at least 51% corn

1. Bourbon - 51%+ corn, aged in charred new oak barrels

2. Tennessee - 51-79% corn, maple charcoal filtration

3. Rye - 51%+ rye, crispier and spicier than bourbon

Categories of Gin

1. London Dry - most common, strong juniper, hints of citrus

2. Old Tom - sweeter, richer flavor than London Dry

3. Plymouth - drier than London Dry, more citrus-forward, spicy botanicals

4. Genever - malt forward, less juniper and botanical, robust and rich

Tequila vs. Mezcal

Tequila MUST BE made from blue agave. Tequilas are made from agave steamed in above-ground ovens, mezcals roasted in earthen pits with lava rocks.

Tequilas are usually distilled in copper pot stills while most mezcals are distilled in clay pots.

Tequila aging variations

• 0-2 months - Blanco/Silver/Plato

• 2-11 months - Reposado

• 1-2 years - Añejo

• 3+ years - Extra Añejo

Mezcal aging variations

• 0-2 months - Joven/Blanco/Abacado

• 2-11 months - Reposado

• 1-2 years - Añejo

• 3+ years - Extra Añejo

What is a modifier?

Alcoholic liquid used in addition to a cocktail’s base spirit to supply more flavors that spirits alone cannot provide. Unlike spirits, modifiers have any alcoholic content and are not restricted to sugar free substances

4 types of modifiers

1. Liqueurs

2. Digestivos and Aperitivos

3. Fortified and Aromatized Wins

4. Bitters

What is a liqueur?

Spirit altered with added flavors and sweeteners, most utilize a neutral grain base

What are digestivos and aperitivos?

Made from either wine, brandy, or neutral grain spirits macerated with fruits, herbs and roots

Fortified and Aromatized Wines

Fortified - Wine base with added alcohol, usually from brandy or neutral grain spirits

Aromatized - Fortified wines flavored with fruits, herbs, and roots

e.g. Vermouth

Bitters

Spice rack - highly concentrated and typically high proof

What is a binder?

Non-alcoholic substance acting to cohesively draw together the components of many cocktails

6 types of binders

1. Sweeteners

2. Fresh juices

3. Milk and egg products

4. Plant products

5. Sodas

6. Garnishes

How much juice is in a lemon?

1-1.5 oz

How much juice is in a lime?

1 oz

How is a Speed Rack ordered?

Light to dark

Speed Rack order

Very Good Rats To Try Winning Bread

Vodka, Gin, Rum, Tequila, Triple Sec, Whiskey, Bourbon