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Expert Tips

We often get asked how to make particular garnishes or how to mix the perfect cocktail by visitors to the bar.

This page is designed to give you expert tips from Brett Lubicz, the current AHA Bar Tender of the Year.

Brett has worked at Universal for more than eight years, and has won multiple awards for his cocktail bar tending. See here!

Please feel free to contact us at functions@universalbar.com.au if you have any questions you would like answered!

1. MAGIC STRAWS!

Wow your friends with simple physics!

Tools
Cocktail glass (filled with delicous cocktail!)
Straws
And good old fashioned H2O

Method
Chill cocktail glass and fill with beverage. Next, slightly wet straws with H2O or soda water.

Then stick straws to side of glass applying slight pressure as shown....

And just like Harry Potter, Voila!!!

2. HOW TO MAKE FLAMING ORANGE ZEST!

Flaming orange zests are used as a cocktail garnish.

They are typically used in orange flavoured cocktails, such as Cosmopolitans or Manhattans, or any cocktails containing orange liqueurs like Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or Triple Sec.

Tools
An orange
A lighter (be careful!)

Method
Cut a 50 cent coin sized piece of orange rind only.

The trick is start up the lighter, place the flame agains the zest, then after 3-4 seconds squeeze the rind.

A burst of flames will then appear! (only for a second)

Use the moisture on the rind to rim the glass, then drop into the cocktail.

Voila!