How to Rinse a Glass
Some spirits, like absinthe or smoky Islay scotch, are too powerful to be the base of a cocktail—but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a role to play. Many recipes call for a rinse of a potent spirit, which imparts a subtle hint of flavor to the cocktail. Here, the best way to rinse a glass with alcohol.
Tools:
Vessel to dispose of excess liquor (sink, mouth, bowl, etc.)
Step One
Pour .25 oz of the spirit into the bottom of the glass in which you will serve the cocktail.
Step Two
Cupping the bottom of the glass, swirl in small quick circles, so the liquor at the bottom of the glass splashes around the sides of the glass.
Step Three
Tip the glass on an angle so that the liquor reaches the rim of the glass, then slowly rotate the glass so that the liquid coats the interior.
Step Four
Discard the rest of the alcohol, either into a separate glass, the sink, or your mouth. Finish preparing your cocktail per the recipe.