Going on an interview to become a bartender can be nerve wrecking. You may wonder what types of questions the interviewer will ask, or if you will have to take a written bartending test. Sometimes you may have to perform an actual bartender pour test. Here are some of the hardest questions I have been asked on an interview. 

 

 

1. How do you make a daquiri from scratch?

 

So, I was interviewing to work at this beach bar. It was located at a very upscale hotel in Miami. It was a posh rooftop bar, located beside a pool. The ideal Miami dream. This question caught me completely off guard. I gave them a recipe for a strawberry daquiri using a pre bought daquiri mix. Of course that is not what they meant by "from scratch." I got the answer wrong, however I still ended up landing this job. I will share the answer with you, in case this question comes up on one of your interviews, so you do not freeze up like I did. 

 

Here is the correct answer: 2 ounces of light or gold rum, 3/4 oz lime juice, and 1 teaspoon sugar. So how do you make a daquiri from scratch? Add light or gold rum, lime juice, and sugar to your shaker. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime. 

 

2. How do you make a Madras? 

 

This one makes me laugh. A Madras! Of course I know how to make this drink, I just couldn' t think of this recipe on the spot. It was the last drink on my mind. Quite honestly, I learned how to make this drink in bartending school, but I have never ever had a customer ask me for this drink in real life. I was interviewing for a bartendering job at Applebee's. Lol, I lasted 2 days and didn't go back! It just wasn't the job for me. I learned from this experience that I preferred working in more of a lounge or club type setting. There was no bar back, and I had to waitress at least 4-6 tables in addition to being behind the bar. Anyway, let me fill you in on the recipe. And no, I did not have to google it. This recipe is forever glued to my mind, seeing how I couldn't remember the answer during my interview with the Manager.

 

Madras: 1 oz Vodka, cranberry juice, and orange juice.