Re-straining is a common practice in the bar industry that involves adding an additional piece of equipment to your cocktail mixing process—a strainer. These additional tools are used to filter out unwanted ingredients while preserving cocktail integrity. This addition also helps reduce the risk of cross contamination and limits waste. The standard pour is an important part of standardization in the bar world because it measures the amount of liquid you should be putting into each glass when making cocktails. It’s a standard measure for bartenders who want to make sure they’re not over or under pouring each drink. It’s essential that you use the same measurements every time you create a specific cocktail so that your customers get the same experience every time they have one from you.

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What is a Standard Pour?
A standard pour is a specific amount of liquid that is measured and poured into each serving glass. A standard pour is typically used in reference to cocktails, but it can be used to measure the amount of any liquid that is poured. In the cocktail world, standard pours are the amount of liquor, mixers, and garnishes used in a specific cocktail recipe. These measurements are consistent among bartenders and bars to ensure that a customer who orders a specific cocktail gets the same drink each time they order it.
The Importance of Using Standard Pours
The cocktail industry is a fast-paced and busy place, so it’s important to have a system that works for your venue and your staff. Using standard pours is one way to make sure that drinks are being made consistently and that each drink is being made using the same amount of ingredients—no more, no less. Consistency is important for the customer experience, as well as for your bottom line. Standardized recipes make it easy to forecast your costs based on the ingredients you need to purchase. Improve customer experience by making sure each customer gets the same thing each time they order the same cocktail. This creates a consistency that your customers will appreciate—especially if they are ordering a complex cocktail with multiple ingredients.
6 oz. Standard Pour
The 6-ounce standard pour is the amount of liquid that is poured into a glass when making a long drink, like a Long Island iced tea or a gin and tonic. This standard pour is also used when making a highball or rocks drink that is served over ice. The 6-ounce standard pour includes 3 to 4 ounces of liquid (depending on the type of drink), 1 to 2 ounces of ice, and 1 to 2 ounces of garnish.
3 oz. Standard Pour
The 3-ounce standard pour is the average amount of liquid that goes into a standard cocktail glass. This includes the liquor, mixers, and garnishes. This standard pour is used for most cocktails, including standard lowballs, highballs, and cocktails served over ice, like a daiquiri or mojito. The 3-ounce standard pour includes 1.5 ounces of liquor, 1.5 ounces of mixers, and garnishes.
2 oz. Standard Pour
The 2-ounce standard pour is used when serving a double or a double-double. This standard pour is also used when serving a single cocktail in a smaller cocktail glass. Cocktails that are served in smaller glasses, like a martini, often use a 2-ounce standard pour.
1 oz. Standard Pour
The 1-ounce standard pour is used when serving a single cocktail in a larger cocktail glass. Drinks that are served in larger glasses, like a margarita, often use a 1-ounce standard pour.
0.7 oz. Standard Pour
The 0.7-ounce standard pour is used for serving a single cocktail in a really, really large cocktail glass. A lot of tropical-style cocktails, like a pina colada, use this standard pour.
0.5 oz. Standard Pour
The 0.5-ounce standard pour is used for serving cocktails in shot glasses. This standard pour is used for serving tequila shots and Jägermeister shots.
0.3 oz. Standard Pour
The 0.3-ounce standard pour is used for serving a shot of liquor straight up in a shot glass. This standard pour is used for serving Jack Daniel’s or other whiskey straight up.
Conclusion
The cocktail industry is a busy and fast-paced environment. To ensure consistency and precision, bartenders use standard pours to measure the amount of liquid that goes into each cocktail glass. Standard pours measure the amount of liquor, mixers, and garnishes used in a cocktail recipe. This system is important for bartenders who want to make sure they’re not over or under pouring each drink. It’s also important for customers who want to make sure they’re getting the same experience each time they order a specific cocktail.