Mixologists and cocktail connoisseurs alike should be jumping on the newest, most radical flavors in bitters, brought to you by The Bitter End. Self-tagged as "The Last Word in Bitters," this line is anything but ordinary.

The Bitter End Thai Bitters
Add flavors of mint, galangal, lemongrass and kaffir lime to cocktails for an extra kick of the orient. Works especially well in champagne cocktails.

The Bitter End Moroccan Bitters
Slip in the essences of coriander, lemon, mint and cinnamon to your favorite rum cocktail or even sauces for an international flair.

The Bitter End Mexican Mole Bitters
A combination of the spices used to make Mole Poblano, this bitters flavor features cocoa, sesame and cinnamon flavors that will warm up any classic bourbon cocktail.

The Bitter End Memphis Barbecue Bitters
Add a subtle, smoky bit of barbecue to any whiskey cocktail or even a Bloody Mary for a perfectly dramatic kick.

The Bitter End Jamaican Jerk Bitters
A perfect addition to your favorite tropical drink recipes, Jamaican Jerk bitters adds a sweet heat to your glass.

I cannot wait to begin playing around with these brand-spanking new bitters flavors. I’ll keep you posted on recipes as they develop!

TAGS [ COCKTAILS | BITTERS | COCKTAIL BITTERS | THE BITTER END | MIXERS ]

Bar trays aren’t something you think about everyday. If you are serving, you probably have favorites, but if you are buying them you might just look at the price. There are a couple of things to remember when buying bar trays that can actually offset the price in different situations by cutting down on drinks spilled. Sure it doesn’t cost that much to replace a drink, but you could be charging for that, so if your cocktail is $9.00 and costs you $1.00 to replace it, you’ve still lost $8.00 you could have made by selling it to another patron.

Your first step should be determining the environment of the server.

Is it a busy bar that is impossible to get around in, a casual restaurant scene, a dive? For busy bars, look for easily maneuverable trays in a tight space. Atray that can be lifted overhead (with handle) and a minimum of slip are preferable, often available in a variety of colors. Look for a cork or rubberized top to keep your glasses from moving.

Another thing to think about is visibility. If you have cocktail serving staff or shot girls, it would be preferable to have them seen with a highly visible tray. The more eyes that see the tray, the better chance you have of selling more drinks. Neon, shiny and bright plastic often helps this cause.

In contrast, if you have a more subdued setting, get a tray that is easy to handle, but draws less attention to itself. Also look to see if there is a specialized tray for your type of service. A great example is this wine glass tray. It was actually designed by servers and is well balanced, holding 4 in front and 4 on top.

Finally think about the impression it will make on your customers. Fine dining establishments don’t often have neon serving trays, but the venerable black plastic tray used in a pub might need a little oomph to ease your customers’ minds when ordering in a more expensive dish or cocktail.

So enjoy the process. Think about your staff and how they can help make you more money. They’ll be happier for it too.

TAGS [ BAR TRAYS | SERVING TRAYS | NEON BAR TRAY | STEEL BAR TRAY ]