Basic spirits knowledge 

Basic Spirit 1. Vodka


Vodka are often traced as far back as the  8th century in Poland and also the 15th century in Russia. Vodka is a colorless liquor generally made up of grains like corn, wheat, or rye. Vodka goes through a filtration and distillation process to urge eliminate impurities and ensure the vodka has no aroma, character, flavor, or color. Vodka is between 80 and 100 proof.

Basic Spirit 2. Gin


Gin originated within the Netherlands within the 17th century. Gin is a clear liquor with a smooth texture. The taste of gin is extremely dry and is typically mixed with other beverages. the foremost common style of gin is “London Dry Gin” which refers to the distillation process, not a brand. Gin is formed from the distillation of white grain spirit and juniper berries which provides its distinct flavor. Gin is produced during a column still and is redistilled after the botanicals are added to base spirit. Gin is between 80 and 90 proof.

Basic Spirit 3. Rum


The first distillation of rum occurred on sugarcane plantations within the Caribbean in the 17th century. Rum is formed from sugarcane by-products like molasses and sugarcane juice through a process of fermentation and distillation. After distillation, the clear liquid is aged in oak casks or barrels. Rum are often clear, gold, or a dark brown color. the colour depends upon how long the rum is aged. Rum is typically 80 proof but some rum can actually be over proof at 151 or 160 proof.

Basic Spirit 4. Whiskey


Whiskey refers to a broad category of alcohol that are distilled from grains and aged in oak casks or barrels. Whiskeys are produced in U.S.A, Ireland, Canada, and Scotland. There are many styles  of whiskeys and each is distilled using different ingredients like corn mash, barley, rye, malt, or blends. Each type contains a distinctive flavor and color. Whiskeys are usually 80 proof.

Basic Spirit 5. Scotch


Scotch may be a quite whisky that comes from Scotland. Scotch has been around since the 4th or 5th century. Scotch is formed from water and malted barley. Scotch is aged in oak casks for exactly three years and someday. No whiskey aside from Scotch can be made in Scotland. The distillation process depends on whether the Scotch is  single male, blended malt, or grain. Scotch is formed between 60 and 80 proof.

Basic Spirit 6. Tequila


Tequila was first produced within the 16th century near Guadalajara Mexico. The Aztecs were the primary to distill Tequila. Tequila is formed from the Blue Agave tequilana plant native to Mexico. Tequila must be a minimum of 51% agave. many styles  of Tequila are 100% agave. Tequila runs between 70 and 110 proof.

Quick knowledge 


  • Bourbon – Made from at least 51% corn and aged in charred oak barrels;American whiskey. Known as whiskey rather than whisky. 
  • Whisky – it is a style of basic liquor made up of at least 50 percent corn ( 80 percent rye) in aged oak barrels. origin from Scotland. 
  • Blended Whiskey – Mix of whiskeys and neutral spirits. Light and mild.
  • Scotch – A basic style of liquor distilled from barley mash. The barley is first dried over a peat fire creates a smoky flavor.
  • Irish Whiskey – Made up of barley and is similar to scotch but the barley is dried in kilns without a smoky flavor.
  • Brandy – Made up of fruits (mostly grapes but can be any fruit) and aged in oak barrels.
  • Cognac – A brandy produced and bottled in the Cognac region of France.
  • Vodka – A basic style of liquor made from a grain mash and is filtered through charcoal to produce a flavorless, odorless liquor.
  • Gin – A basic style of neutral grain liquor which is distilled with juniper berries and other aromatics to give it its distinct flavor.
  • Rum – A basic style of liquor made from a mash of sugar cane. Rum can be light and dry or heavy and pungent depending on region it comes from.
  • Tequila – A basic style of liquor made from 100% Agave plant in Mexico.

Beverage Order taking procedures - SOP

  •  When the guest arrived and has been seated to chair, approach the guest’s table with the beverage menu.
  • Approach the guest from right hand side and ask if she/he would really like to have a drink or if she/he would really like to check the beverage list.
  •  Recommend any special drinks or cocktails.
  •  If the guest requests to check the menu, hand the menu to the guest and step back within attentive distance to wait until the guest has made her/his choice.
  •  Take order from women first, then men and at last from the host.
  •  Ask the guest for the order, ask politely; “Excuse me Madam/ Sir, may I take your order?”.
  •  Verify the legal drinking age of guests who order alcoholic beverages. 
  •  Place a Beverage napkin ahead of each guest as you ask for his or her order. This will help you to keep track of who has ordered.
  •  Leaving a beverage napkin at the table will let other servers know that you just have checked with the guests.
  •  If the beverage napkins have a logo, then place each napkin therefore the log face the guest.
  •  When the guest is ready to order, listen carefully and write down all the main points. Face guest when taking the order and maintain eye contact
  •  Repeat the order, ensure sure you get the order correct, by saying: “Madam/Sir, your order is (list name(s) of beverage item)”.
  •  Enter the order within the Pos terminal (or remote device). Where available, and also the order will thus be printed within the dispense bar.
  • Where no ‘no-line’ system is offered, pass one copy of the Captain Order to the kitchen and one to the cashier.
  • Consult the order to see which kinds of food the guest has ordered.