We’ve shipped a whole lot of tonic water from our warehouse in the past few days! I’m not one to brag but when it comes to premium tonic waters, we have the best selection available.

I’m thrilled that we’re not the only ones who realize that while tonic is good, GOOD tonic is simply incredible. If you ask me, there’s no better way to celebrate summer than relaxing on a deck, patio, or boat with a crisp, refreshing vodka and tonic (or gin and tonic) – made the right way, with the right tonic.

Most tonics served at bars and sold in grocery stores are loaded with artificial ingredients and high-fructose corn syrup but you probably wouldn’t know that because you’ve never had the good stuff. When it comes to top-quality tonic waters, we’ve got options. Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water blends spring water with handmade cold-pressed oil from Tanzania, cane sugar and natural quinine from a plantation near the Rwanda-Congo border. Q-Tonic is made from hand-picked Peruvian quinine and Mexican agave. Fentimans is botanically brewed with all natural ingredients and the sharp flavor of ginger to create a perfect balance of bitter sweetness.

We asked our unbiased friends, Deron and Sara, to try them all and let us know what they like best. Their official tasting notes are below.

*Disclaimer: The following opinions are simply that, opinion. Every taste bud is different! Should you disagree with our conclusions, simply comment and let us know what you think. We’re all about discussion and great drinks. Cheers!

Tonic Water Tasting
Monday, June 29th
Rochester, NY
Tasters: Sara & Deron Weet

Tonic Water Samples tasted:

• Q Tonic
• Fentimans Tonic
• Fever-Tree Tonic

All tonic waters were tasted with 1-ounce of Grey Goose Original Vodka, room temperature, and 3 ounces of each tonic water, refrigerated, in a 12-ounce rocks glass with 4 ice cubes.

Please note: Store brand tonic water was not sampled against these, since we ran out of vodka, and did not have any other unflavored vodka in the house.

Comments:

Q Tonic
"The least carbonated of the three." "Clean, not overly sweet, with a dry finish." "Uncomplicated, and lets the flavors of the vodka shine through." "Possibly a bit undercarbonated." "Soft citrus fruit undertones with no aftertaste." "This is the tonic for people who want the flavor of the vodka to be the star." "Don’t mix with rotgut vodka."

Fentimans
"Almost too sweet to be a tonic water." "Citrus fruit bomb, almost resembles a lemon-lime soda with a shot of grapefruit juice." "Full bodied, with some herbal notes in the background." "Some slight sour notes on the swallow, after the taste buds have done a little dance." "May be good at hiding the off flavors of cheap vodka."

Fever-Tree
"The most well-balanced of the three." "A restrained fruitiness, almost seltzer-like." "A bit prickly on the tongue, but very balanced." "Good aftertaste without being too sweet or cloying." "Mouthfeel is a bit slick." "A clean, uncomplicated tonic with a finish that is just dry enough to do the job." "Best of the three."

So, the consensus was that the Fever-Tree was our #1, followed by the Q, then the Fentimans. The Fentiman’s tasted a bit too much like a citrus soda than it did a tonic water, and you might not want to drink lime/lemon/orange/grapefruit flavored vodka with it. The Q was the most unobtrusive of the three, where it in no way would interfere with the flavors of whatever vodka you’re drinking. The Fever-Tree was the best, we felt that it would go with gin as well as with vodka.

Either way, all three were a hell of a lot better than supermarket crap.

Grab a Premium Tonic Water Sampler Pack with 2 bottles of each brand, try them all and let us know what YOU decide.

TAGS [ TONIC WATER | PREMIUM TONIC WATER | PREMIUM TONICS | Q TONIC | FEVER TREE | FENTIMANS | Q TONIC WATER | FEVER TREE TONIC WATER | FENTIMANS TONIC WATER ]

When The Food Network contacted us a little while back about our Faucet and Shank Kit we weren’t exactly sure what they had up their sleeves… and I can tell you, tapping a watermelon never once crossed our minds!

The innovative brains at The Food Network have done it again, turning something ordinary into extraordinary with a melon, a cocktail recipe and our very own faucet and shank kit.

Here’s the recipe our friends at The Food Network suggest for the perfect cocktail keg, adapted from The Bubbly Bar, a new cocktail book by Clarkson Potter.

Watermelon Sours in a Melon Keg
(makes 10-12 drinks)

4 cups watermelon chunks, pureed
4 oz Alizé Red Passion, or any other fruit-flavored liqueur
8 oz gin
2 cups sour mix
Sparkling rosé
Lime slices, for garnish
Watermelon, to turn into a keg

Prepare your watermelon by cutting a lid from the top and scooping out the fruit (use 4 cups of the fruit later for your watermelon puree). Drill a small hole near the bottom of the melon, then use a knife to widen the hole until it’s just slightly smaller than the keg shank. Attach the shank and faucet and you’re ready to add your cocktail.

After pureeing 4 cups of watermelon chunks, strain. Stir in your fruit-flavored liqueur, gin and sour mix. Chill. Add sparkling rosé before serving. Garnish with lime slice and enjoy!

Thanks to the fantastic minds at The Food Network for inventing such a fun and different way to tap into your melon.

Cheers!

TAGS [ THE FOOD NETWORK | WATERMELON KEG | COCKTAIL KEG | FOOD NETWORK WATERMELON KEG | FOOD NETWORK COCKTAIL KEG | FAUCET AND SHANK KIT ]

The other day I stopped by a local fire hall in Swormville, N.Y. to see an assembled bar foot rail that was purchased from KegWorks. This particular bar foot rest was made of satin stainless steel material and extended across the patrons’ side of the bar. While I was checking out the bar foot rail I realized just how really nice this bar area was and how much the foot rail completed its overall look. You can see from the image that having something to rest your feet on is essential, especially when sitting on a tall bar stool. Foot rests actually take the pressure off your lower back and also help your body relax, when sitting at the bar. This foot rail not only serves a functional purpose, but it gives this bar area a classy feel altogether.

I spoke with someone at the fire hall who was very pleased with the decision in purchasing a foot rail made of satin stainless steel. He described the satin stainless steel material as requiring very little maintenance and was overly satisfied with the high quality, durable material. As you can see from the image, satin stainless steel has a moderately shiny, non-mirrored surface. It can best be described as a smooth, velvety shine.

Polished stainless steel and polished brass are also two other great materials for bar foot rest tubing and components. Polished stainless steel has a very shiny, mirror finish that reflects a lot of light. Polished brass is similar to polished stainless steel in that it has a very shiny, reflective surface as well. Polished brass end caps and brackets can be paired with unstained wooden tubing. Read about materials, parts and bar rail installation at BarFootRest.com, complete with easy-to-install foot rail instruction video, designed to guide you through the simple process.

TAGS [ BAR FOOT RESTS | BAR FOOT RAILS | BAR RAILS | INSTALL BAR FOOT RAILS | BAR RAIL INSTALLATION ]

I grew up around kids with vintage Chevelles, GTOs… even a ‘56 Chevy. Most of these guys even looked the part for the cars they drove, clad in white t-shirts with sleeves rolled up, containing a pack of Lucky Strikes (not kidding), blue jeans, rolled at the bottom, over black Dr. Martins, all topped off with some serious black leather and greased-back hair.

When it comes to home or commercial bars, each one has its own style, reflecting that of the person or persons that put their heart into it. You’ve got your sports bars, your tropical tiki-inspired bars, your English or Irish pub style bars and, of course, one of my personal favorites, the classic greaser bar, which reminds me of days with my old pals at the speedway or hanging around the garage, getting to know the inside of an engine block.

The moment I saw this vintage bar sign, I was whisked back to the days of my childhood which, to be perfectly honest, aren’t that far back (the above mentioned cars were vintage when we were kids, hahaha) but memories they are and this Vintage Liquor Pin-Up Girl Sign took me on a much enjoyed journey.

If you’re looking for ways to add classic vintage character to your bar, this is a perfect way to start.

Cheers!

TAGS [ BAR SIGNS | VINTAGE BAR SIGNS | CLASSIC BAR SIGNS | PIN UP GIRL SIGN | LIQUOR SIGNS | PIN UP GIRL ]

Today I came across this gorgeous foot rail image of one of KegWorks bar foot rests, that was taken recently. This polished brass foot rail fits this bar perfectly. Bar foot rails are classy, functional and are a great addition to your bar area. It’s amazing what a few accessories can do. Best of all you have something to rest your feet on. KegWorks sells all the parts you need to build your dream bar foot rail at a great price!

If you’re looking for a bar foot rail or just want to learn more check out KegWorks new informational site on foot rests. Foot rail parts include tubing, brackets and end caps. Read about each material first - polished brass, polished stainless steel, satin stainless steel and unstained wood - before deciding which is best for your bar.

Remember KegWorks provides do-it-yourself instructions and installation videos to guide you. KegWorks customer feedback on bar foot rails purchases has been extremely positive. Don’t hesitate to call customer service if you have any questions at all!

Thanks,
Jennifer

TAGS [ BAR FOOT REST | BAR FOOT RESTS | BAR FOOT RAIL | BAR FOOT RAILS | BAR RAIL | BAR RAILS | INSTALL BAR FOOT RAILS ]

The first time I discovered soda water I was way too young to enjoy it with booze. Being a big fan of sweet beverages like fruit punch and chocolate milk, I immediately concluded that it was an absolutely awful drink. I’m proud to report however, that my tastes have matured and these days I love it.

Before my KegWorks days, I drank your usual cheapie soda water right from the gun or I bought a two-liter bottle from the grocery store. I had no idea that you can make your own soda water and I certainly didn’t have any idea how easy it is! The homemade stuff tastes better and it is really easy to do! I can only imagine that it must be better for you too, without all of the chemicals and preservatives that go into bottled stuff. All you need is a soda siphon and some charger cartridges.

You can also make wine spritzers, sparkling juices and more!

Click for some recipe ideas.

For classic Soda Water, here’s what you do:

Fill It

• Rinse the siphon with warm water before you start for good measure
• Press the lever to make sure that the siphon is empty and there is no gas pressure, then unscrew the top and take out the siphon tube. Leave the plastic sleeve in the body of the siphon, as it provides air space that you need for the siphon to work!
• Fill to the top with cold water. If the level drops a bit after you fill it, just leave it - do NOT top it off because that will reduce the air space.
• Replace the siphon tube and screw the head firmly back on.

Charge It

• Insert a seltzer charger cartridge into the cartridge holder with the neck of the cartridge facing the open end of the holder.
• Lift the small-hinged cover on the head of the siphon to expose the charging thread.
• Screw the holder on gently until a resistance is felt. Make sure that the cartridge is held in position, then screw the holder down quickly and wait until no more gas can be heard bubbling in to the water.
• Shake the siphon vigorously for 15 seconds to dissolve the gas in the water.

Safety Note: NEVER use more than one bulb per charging, unless you’re using a 2-liter size siphons that require two bulbs.

Remove the Bulb
Unscrew the bulb holder to remove the empty bulb - there should be a gentle hiss. Don’t be alarmed. A loud hiss indicates that the siphon was not shaken enough to dissolve all the gas. Push the hinged cover back down.

Helpful hints

• Use really cold water, the colder the better!
• Put the siphon in the refrigerator after you’ve filled and charged.
• Shake the siphon vigorously if it has been left standing for a few days.
• When you pour the soda, press the lever gently to control the flow down the side of the glass. That way the sparkle lasts longer!
• When the siphon bottle is not in use make sure to keep the screw threads and the bottle clean and dry.

Cleaning
Your siphon just needs an occasional rinse out. Before removing the siphon head for cleaning or refilling, make sure the siphon is empty by depressing the lever.

TAGS [ SODA SIPHON | SODA SIPHONS | SODA WATER | SPARKLING WATER | COCKTAIL MIXER | COCKTAIL MIXERS ]

Even in tougher economic times, it may behoove bar owners to pick up efficiency-inducing items. Overall business may not be steadily growing but the regular business your bar does see will probably shell out a bit more if served more quickly and efficiently than at another establishment.

Save Time Pouring Draft Beer
Bars set up their draft beer systems in a number of ways, as you may have noticed. In regard to expediency, I am speaking only to faucet placement. Many bars I’ve been to have their taps running from one end of the bar to the other, forcing bartenders to run up and down, wasting time and forcing paying customers to wait.

That’s where 3- and 4-tap towers come in. Instead of having 7 beer faucets spanning across the entire bar, this particular establishment (one of my favs, by the way) utilizes both a 3-tap tower and a 4-tap tower, right next to each other. This keeps all of the draft together in a spot that’s easy to access, cuts pouring and running time, and it looks sleek too!

Save Time Mixing Well Drinks
Draft beer isn’t the only area of your bar that can be made more efficient - your well liquor can be better organized too. Notice the speed racks running along the entire length of the bar, in the picture below. Keeping your most-used liquors directly in front of the bartender saves more time mixing drinks than you can imagine, leaving him with time to make even more money, serving even more customers.

Pop back again for more organizational tips to increase the expediency of your bartenders through speed and efficiency. Cheers!

TAGS [ BEER TOWER | DRAFT BEER TOWERS | SPEED RACK | LIQUOR SPEED RACKS | ORGANIZE YOUR BAR ]