Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Department of Education
REGION IVA – CALABARZON
Schools Division Office of Santa Rosa City
SINALHAN INTEGRATED HIGH SCHOOL
Prk 3 Brgy. Sinalhan, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna 4026
SUBJECT: BARTENDING NC II
TITLE: OPERATING THE BAR (OTB) Beverage Classification: Origins, Nature and
Characteristics of the Different Alcoholic Beverages
OBJECTIVE: To Explain the different classifications of alcoholic beverages, Discuss the different types of
alcoholic beverages and Appreciate the importance of knowing the characteristics and classification of
alcoholic beverages
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
It may have as little as ½ by volume or as high as 95%. The alcoholic strength of alcoholic
beverages is measured in proof. To express the alcoholic content, the following measurements are used:
USAP (American) – proof
Sikes (British) – degree proof
Gay Lussac (French) – percent (%)
Pot Still- This is a very slow process of distillation where a pot is heated by a fire under it or by heating
coils, with the vapor passing through the head and hence to a condenser, thus converting the vapor to
the distilled product by cooling it. The process is done slowly since a pot is refilled between one
distillation and the next.
Tequila
1. Whisky
Is a general name for liquors of not less than 80 proof, distilled from mash of grains. It is one of
the most popular spirits.
2. Rum
Is produced in most tropical countries because it is distilled from sugar cane and molasses, a by-
product of manufactured sugar. This spirit is now produced in countries where sugar cane is
grown.
Like whiskies, rums usually derive their name from their place of origin, with each type
distinguished by its own distinctive flavor.
Rum is distilled for no less than 190 proof and is usually bottled at a much lower proof. Some
rums are produced in pot-still making them more flavorful.
There are
three main
types of
rum
White Rum – Tanduay Rum, Ronrico White, Bacardi White
Gold Rum – Tanduay Gold, Ronrico Gold, Bacardi Gold
Dark or Black Rum – Bacardi Dark, Tanduay Dark, Ronrico Dark
3.
Brandy
Is distilled from fermented juice of ripe
grapes (wine) or other fruits. If made
from other fruits, it is usually aged in
wood set cork. Labels must clearly
state the fruits from which is derived.
Brandy is produced in many countries.
Sample brandies- Spanish Brandy:
Fundador, Carlos 1, Soberano.
Brandy served “straight” is a traditional
after-dinner drink. It is customarily
presented in a large, rounded glass or
snifter with ice water on the side. It can
be served as a highball drink, with
water or soda and other mixers.
It also goes well with coffee and many mixed drinks.
Like Wines, the quality of brandies is dependent on the age. Under the French Law, all brandies
must be aged at least 18 months before they are bottled.
The age and quality of Cognacs are indicated in the labels. It makes use of a cryptic letter to
symbolize the relative age of the brandy to denote the quality.
To understand the labels: It is now produced in countries where sugar cane is grown.
(3 stars) = means aged for 18 months
VS = stands for very superior-aged for 8months
VSOP = means very superior old pale, aged for 4 ½ years
Extra Vielle = extra superior, aged for 5 ½ years Reserve/Napoleon
Carbon Blean = most superior, aged not less 20 years
XO = aged not less than 25-30 years
LOUI XIII = extra old, aged not less than 100 years
Cognac - Comes from the world’s renowned brandy producing region in France. Armagnac – Comes
from Gascony which is located south of Bordeaux.
1. Marc – a French product, distilled from juices of grapes skin and pips from the 4th and 5th
pressing. Once the grapes have been further pressed and the juices have been fermented, it is
distilled to a high alcohol concentration and then aged. Marc generally is quite pale, more
astringent than Cognac of Armagnac but some connoisseurs prefer Marc to any other brandy as
it has a more grapsy taste.
Grappa – is an Italian term for “Marc” and is produced in Italian speaking regions and in Italy. Grappa
is completely odorless and a little harsh. But Grappa in Predmonte, most especially the one produced
in Barbera is superb. In Ticino, a Grappa is produced from locally grown grapes.
Fruit Brandies
Fruit brandies are produced by crushing and fermenting its fruits ingredient right after it is picked.
Distillation follows quickly and then the spirit is matured within a few months only in order to preserve
the freshness and the flavor of the fruit. Except for calvados and slivovitz, fruit brandies are odorless
because they are aged in earthenware or in waxline glass cask instead of wood which adversely
affect the flavor of the fruit. It is sometimes called “Eaux de vie”.
4. Vodka
Is derived from Russian word “Voda” meaning water. It is a neutral spirit distilled potato
and filtered through charcoal, resulting to a neutral aroma. Unlike other spirits, the vodka
does not have any aroma nor color and taste.
Vodka is distilled at 190 proofs, reduced to not more than 100 proof or less than 80
proofs. Some brands are Smirnoff, Borzoi, and Stolichnaya.
Some of the Vodkas are flavored and they are classified as compounded spirit. The
flavoring maybe herbs, peel, pepper, lemon, or fruits. Most of the Vodkas now are sold
non-flavored and flavored alike.
Vodka is a versatile spirit and can be mixed with a variety of fruit juices and other
ingredients. It should be chilled if served straight up.
5. Tequila – is distilled from the fermented sap of the maguey plant from Mexico. The name Tequila
is derived from the blue variety from the species of Maguey plant which is scientifically called
Tequillana. It is said to resemble a cactus. The maguey plant takes between 8-12 years and only
the head of the plant, called pina or “head” is used. Tequila has very unusual and distinctive
taste. The flavor is somewhat herbaceous, grassy and vegetal in nature. It contains a minimum of
80 proof alcohol. It has an extremely long shelf and react quite well to direct sunlight, either
opened or unopened. This spirit is mostly used in mixed drinks like margarita. Some prefer to
drink it straight up along with salt and slice lime or lemon on the side.
6. Gin -Is a spirit flavored with Juniper berries. It can be either be a distilled or compounded spirit. -
Distilled Gin is made by redistilling white grains spirit which berries. - Compound gin is made by
flavoring neutral grain spirit with juniper berries without redistilling. In such case it can be
considered flavored vodka. - Technically, Gin may also be regarded as a liqueur or a cordial, if
sweetened. The alcoholic content is between 34%- 47%. - While there are many types of gin, the
most popular is London Dry Gin. Other types are Holland Gin, Old Tom Gin and Sloe Gin
The word “Cordial” is derived from “Cor or Cordis”, meaning “heart”. The name is identified with
the heart because the earliest cordials were used as part of a therapy to stimulate the heart and to
lighten one’s spirit. The alcoholic content of cordials is between 15-35%. Its aroma and taste is produced
by the addition of herbs, seed, bark, rots, flower fruits and peel. “Liqueur” is derived from the Latin word
“liqueuefacere” which means to dissolve or to melt.
That is why liqueurs are said to be ideal as after-dinner drink as they dissolve or neutralize the
after-taste of food taken during meals. The aroma flavor and taste of cordials and liqueurs are produced
by the addition of herbs, seed, bark, roots, flower fruits, stones and peel. The alcohol base can be
brandy, cognac, rum, whisky or neutral grain spirits. Their distinct, characteristic taste depends on the
type of fruit or flavor that is infused into the drink. Liqueurs are generally accepted as European name
and cordials as the American. Both contain up to 35% of some sweetening agent.
Advocaat Made in Holland from fresh egg yolks, sugar and brandy
Anisette A clear liqueur made from anise seed and flavored with bitter almonds
Aquavit Clear liqueur flavored with caraway seeds from Scandinavian countries
Benedectine A liqueur made by the Benedictine monks out of a secret formula reputed to be
acombinations of herbs, spices and fine brandy
Chartreuse Cordial made by the Chartreusian order of monks. Its color is a combination of
yellow and green and it is produced from a combination of several ingredients
such as spices, herbs and roots.
Cointreau Orange-flavored liqueur, a brand of Curacao. It is produced out of Triple Sec and
Orange Curacao
Crème de Cacao Is made from the cacao beans, spices and vanilla. It comes in two colors- white
and brown
Crème d Curacao The peppermint liqueur made from fresh mint and brandy
Triple Sec e Made from the peel of bitter orange grown in the West Indies, enriched with
Menthe spices, rum and sugar
Grand Marnier Cognac-based liqueur. It is flavored with oranges and orange Curacao.
Kahlua Mexican liqueur made from coffee beans, vanilla and brandy
Southern Comfort A high proof American liqueur that is bourbon-based enriched with peach flavor.
Activity # 1 Directions: Write your personal reflection about your insight and learning on this lesson
Activity #3 Quick writes : Explain the following questions bellow and write your answer in your answer
sheets.
1. Being a personnel in a bar why it is very important to know all this kind of beverages?
2. For all the beverages that you already know what drinks would you like to taste? Why?
3. If given the chance to merchandise / upselling costumer to drink what drinks are you going to offer?
Why?
Reference:
Book
Limbaga Rachel, Printed in the Philippines by: Department of Education – Regional Office 10 Office
Address: Zone 1, Upper Balulang Cagayan de Oro City 9000 Telefax: (088) 880-7071, (088) 880-7072
E-mail Address: region10@deped.gov.ph
Prepared by:
JULIUS B. PAEZ
TVL/TLE Teacher
FERDINAND P. TRINIDAD
Master Teacher II
Approved by: