There are many ways to look at this question about the bartender and mixologist and some would even say that they are both the same. That would not be an accurate statement due to the many differences between a mixologist and a bartender.
The best way to describe it is that the mixologist is always looking for ways to create optimal drinks. This is achieved by learning combinations and trying out different cocktail ideas. The bartender is someone with knowledge of the best drinks made by mixologists, but they focus on the experience.
Keep in mind that people can be either one separately or they can be both. This publication looks to shine more light on the differences between the two. The greatest aspect of both careers is that they can easily be merged into one. Given that this is such a flexible line of work, it is easy for someone to switch between bartending and mixology or to offer both at once.
The quest and the passion of the mixologist
The mixologist is always on a quest to create new drinks and new versions of existing drinks. When someone practices mixology, they don’t necessarily have to know how to bartend. Their skills are more about being good at understanding how to mix the elements that make a perfect cocktail.
In fact, the majority of the mixologists out there are not bartenders. Many of them do not care to be involved with any kind of bartending process. What really drives and motivates them is to be able to create new mixes.
The mixologist is often someone who likes to spend time researching new things and flavors. It is similar to being a chef in the sense that they love creating flavors that delight people. This is why this is such a great career choice for those who are constantly searching for new things.
Masterclass goes into more detail regarding what a mixologist does.
The bartender job is more dynamic
When you compare the job of a mixologist and that of a bartender, you see the main difference in the type of work. A mixologist will generally work in a very calm and private setting. The bartender, on the other hand, is going to work in a crowded setting most of the time.
This is a huge difference that makes bartending a more social type of job. In some cases, people have the type of personality that prefers to be able to work in a calm setting. When this is the case, the best way to handle things is to ensure optimal results.
How many cocktails does IBA have?
The International Bartenders Association has a catalog of 77 official drinks. The mixologist is always looking for ways to enhance all of those 77 drinks or to create something new. The quest for a new drink flavor is also a quest to have the cocktail included in the IBA catalog.
When it comes to the bartender, there is rarely any desire or need for new creations to add. The bartender focuses on learning those 77 official drinks to perfection. If more drinks become part of it in the near future, they will learn those too.
What are the 5 classic cocktails?
You can find a bunch of amazing cocktails in the IBA catalog, but there are some specific all-time classics to consider. The drinks are the Vodka Martini, the Manhattan, the Negroni, the Sazerac, and the Old Fashioned. There are all extremely good cocktails. They will also be requested most of the time in any type of event, so it is important to master them.
When you ask a mixologist about these drinks, they will have very specific knowledge about each ingredient. In contrast, the bartender is going to know how much of each ingredient is needed. They will also know the order, but they won’t have deeper knowledge of the drink.
This is a great example of how a mixologist works regarding drinks versus a bartender. Their mindset and their knowledge of the drinks is completely different. This is one of the reasons why many successful bartenders also learn mixology. They want to be able to handle all aspects of their profession.
Learning more about both professions
The mixologist is looking for that perfect new idea that is going to add that 78th cocktail to the catalog. This is a very exciting career for some people who like the challenge of discovering new things.
There is no question that both mixology and bartending require similar skills in many ways. With that said, some of the most relevant aspects of each profession are not included. This is the reason why it is so important for the characteristics to be defined.
The main characteristics of a mixologist
- A constant search for new flavors and combinations
- A personality that enjoys challenges that require research
- A desire to create new things
Searching for flavors and combinations
This is a huge part of what being a good mixologist is all about. The person that is involved in this type of work is usually someone who is going to be a researcher. They are passionate about the mixing process and look for new angles all the time.
A personality that enjoys challenges and research
This is also a big part of being a mixologist as there are constant searches and things to consider. This is an amazing way for people to work when they have a very search-friendly attitude. It is a researchers type of job with a lot of experimentation. This makes it a very exciting type of job that leads to discoveries.
A desire to create new things
When someone has the drive and the desire to create and innovate, they are more likely to enjoy this profession. There are many ways for mixologists to contribute to the world of cocktail mixes and this can be a very motivating factor.
The main characteristics of a bartender
- A very social individual who is able to engage in conversations with ease
- Someone who enjoys the hectic pace of parties and events
- The type of person who is great with emotional control
Social individuals who engage in conversations with ease
This is probably the number one aspect of being a bartender that is going to be very important. Bartenders need to be people who are naturally able to handle all kinds of social situations. This is going to be playing a major role in the results they get.
The outgoing person that is always able to start conversations with others is someone who can have all the fun in the world in a social setting. This is the kind of skill that is extremely important in bartending. You really need to be able to take the time to learn this process flawlessly.
Some who like the hectic pace of social life
This is also going to be extremely important for a bartender. The bartending life is a life that is fast-paced and not relaxing at all. This is why it can be hard for some people to adjust to the bartending profession. A hectic fast-paced life is not for everyone, but those who prefer this way of life will fit perfectly in bartending.
Being good with emotional control
Bartenders also have to work late nights and deal with inebriated people all the time. There are countless reasons why this is a very important thing to consider. You need to be able to handle this carefully. If you are a person with little emotional control, you are very likely to have to deal with a large number of issues.
Choosing the career path that matches your personality
Now that you have a better idea of how this works, you can make an informed decision. The mixologist is going to be someone who is usually working privately as we mentioned earlier. Their quest is to find the perfect mix for everything and this can be a lifelong career.
With that said, there are also people who are not looking into this type of work and they go for bartending. The social aspect of bartending is a very attractive aspect. There are many people out there who are working hard to ensure that they can keep up with the pace.
At the end of the day, your decisions should be based on which type of work makes you feel more motivated. Keep in mind that even if a job is lucrative, any lack of drive will reflect on your earnings.
This is why we recommend that you take the time to learn as much as you can about both. The truth is that they are both great at complimenting each other. For example, a mixologist can be great at mixing, but they have no experience serving drinks. This means they are not out there finding out what people like.
There could be a case when a person is great at mixology but it is thanks to their experience bartering that they learn trends. People asking for more or less of a specific ingredient can be a great way to gain insight.
Learn more about the path to becoming a bartender and see if it fits your expectations.
Take your time to evaluate things
It is often easier for a mixologist to get great results when they are able to evaluate such things. This is the kind of exposure that works very well. On the other hand, a bartender can always benefit from being able to understand the details behind the mixes they serve. This is only achieved when they are able to learn more about the drinks.
Mixologists are the ones who usually have that kind of detailed knowledge. This is why the combination of both professions can lead to a perfect type of setting. The type that is going to bring in the largest number of satisfied customers.
One can be without the other
There is no need to be a mixologist to be a bartender or vice versa, but it does enhance both. The recommendation of studying both for a more integral profession is always there. This can lead to more projects on those two different skills and that means more earnings for you.
The mixologist can also be someone who is likely to work as part of a team of people. The same goes for a bartender who could be working with several people at the same time. Bartending teams are now more common to see.
All in all, there are many advantages and engaging aspects of both types of professions. They can easily be combined into one and that makes them ideal for each other. This is why it is highly encouraged that they are both looked into.
Leverage the time that it takes to learn both, but also consider if your personality fits the profile. Bartending is especially demanding in terms of being someone who is good at emotional control. This alone can be a very strong determining factor to see if this is what you want to do.
If you prefer something more personal and less social, you will find mixology to be a better option. If you like a bit of the two, then learning both is a perfect idea.
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FAQ
There are many differences between bartenders and mixologists. The main ones are that bartenders are all about working with an audience and mastering existing drinks. The mixologist is likely to work alone and is looking to innovate existing cocktails and flavors.
There are many great cocktails in the world of bartending, but the all-time classics are very specific. They are the Manhattan, Negroni, Sazerac, Vodka Martini, and the Old Fashioned. Each one of them is very different, but they are all great cocktails. You can be sure that they will be requested at any event or party by many people.
There is an official list of 77 cocktails in the International Bartenders Association. With that said, mixologists are always looking for the next big mix to add to that catalog. This is the main quest of the mixologist and one that is very common to see. In contrast, the bartender is looking for ways to master the preparation of the existing 77 drinks.
The bartender makes more money in most cases due to tips and the frequency of the job. The mixologist is likely to have fewer opportunities for that extra cash. That is unless they decide to do some bartending as part of their career.
Final thoughts
There are clear differences between being a mixologist and being a bartender. With that said, many people learn how to do both. This is a very important thing and it does reflect on their efficiency.
This is the main reason why it is so important to keep this in mind at all times and to make the most out of every situation. The greatest events always have the best bartenders. This is the thing that makes any event stand out and much easier to handle.
At Party Shakers, we have merged two bartenders and mixologists into one. Our talented team has great mixology knowledge and social bartender skills. If you are having an event, you should hire a bartender/mixologist.
