Hey Bartender, What’s in this Drink?

Most restaurant owners are knowledgeable about food safety tips their servers should follow such as washing hands after using the bathroom and not putting their thumbs into food, but it’s equally important to monitor what the bar staff should be doing to protect the public health. Check out these 10 tips and make sure the next time a customer asks for a gin and tonic with a lemon and olives, the bartender isn’t giving them something they didn’t order.

Depending on regulations in your jurisdiction, it might be required that each bar staff member possesses a food handler’s card. Do spot checks for expiration dates.Have allergy warnings for mixed drinks and liquors prominently displayed in a logical place. (The White Monkey at a New York bar has vermouth and almond syrup, for example).Tools of the trade should be washed/rinsed/sanitized in the same manner as any other restaurant supply.Ice can be a harbinger of filth. Be sure to transport and use ice from in its own container…