You will be insulting the world of cocktail mixers and innovators if you believe that all you have to do is randomly throw together various different types of alcoholic beverages into a large glass, give it a quick stir or shake and then serve it with a flourish of sliced fruit and a cocktail umbrella with a lit sparkler attached in the vain hope that you have achieved a drink that is truly worthy of peer appreciation.

If it is your wish to enter into and progress your career as a top cocktail mixologist, then it is absolutely fundamental to your progression that you not only recognise and understand that there is more to great cocktail mixing than you think but that you actually act upon this knowledge.

Cocktails can be straight up, neat, dirty, stirred, shaken, on the rocks or with a kick.

It does not matter how you order yours as there is a universal constant and that is, everyone loves a well mixed cocktail.

It is claimed that cocktails have inspired world leaders, famous artists and poets, socialite parties, a genre of above the knee dresses, business executives and the creativity of bar tenders.

Cocktails, in the world today, have had their status elevated from that of spurious additional extra to one that sees them taking centre stage at many fine modern establishments.

The amounts of different cocktails that are now available has been driven by the ever developing palates of the discerning cocktail drinker.

It is fair to say that today the cocktail industry is booming and if becoming a top cocktail mixologist is your ambition, then with some training, practice and dedication then it certainly attainable.

Anyone with an interest in or is wishing to teach their staff about cocktails needs to start by learning about the history of cocktails.

This should include the origins and evolution of the classics as well as a bit of the glamour and intrigue behind the drinks.

The benefits of doing this will be to enhance their appreciation and knowledge of cocktail making and will allow them to entertain their customers.

Learning when and how to stir and shake, along with having intimate working knowledge of their cocktail equipment component parts is the next logical step for those wishing to become a competent and confident cocktail bartender.

Mastering these skills is essential before moving on to the black art of mixology; being a mixologist means that you will be in the hallowed position of being the creator of new techniques and most importantly new cocktail recipes that will adorn future cocktail menus and lists.

Given time you may feel that entering the competition circuits is a viable option that is open to you or you may even consider that the often lucrative paid work with drinks brands is a possibility.

In summary, a discerning customer with an educated palate will not be impressed by someone claiming to be a cocktail mixologist who cannot get the basics right and you will quickly lose their attention and custom.

You must understand that a cocktail mixologist is not just a bartender, they are entertainers and educators and they carry out their business in capable and confident manner, that is why sourcing a professional instructor is so important.