Drink Measurement

Trying to figure out what does 1 part mean? Or how much alcohol vs soda to put into your cocktail?

There are several ways to measure the amount of alcohol and ingredients in a cocktail. Some bartenders like to weigh out their ingredients by volume (Parts) using a jigger, while others like to eyeball the parts in a drink using a speed pourer.

What is a Part in a Drink?
A part in is simply a relative measurement and it works for single drinks and large batches. For example, when the recipe calls for 1 part of ingredient A, and 2 parts of ingredient B, you add twice as much of ingredient B.  Example two parts (2 shot glasses) of orange juice, and one part (1 shot) of vodka.

Dash or Splash
A dash is bigger than a splash, but both are small amounts. You use them to flavor a cocktail for taste, so it’s a bit of a judgment call. A splash generally involves less viscous liquids such as mixers, whereas dashes are used with stronger flavorings, such as tabasco.

Jiggers
Jiggers are metal measuring devices that usually have two cones, one on either end.  Typically they measure 1 oz. (30 ml) and 1.5 oz. (45 ml) and can quickly be used for measuring parts or milliliters or ounces.  For ease of use, many jiggers have fill lines on the inside or outside with often-used drink recipe measurements.

Get used to these recipe terms and measurements:
Jigger: 1 1/2 oz. (imperial), 4.5 cl (Metric), 45 ml.
Cup: 8 oz. (imperial), 24 cl (Metric)
Tablespoon: 1/2 oz. (imperial), 1.5 cl (Metric)