R. Foley

R. Foley is the founder and editor of BARTENDER Magazine. A consultant to some of the United States’ top distillers and importers, he is responsible for creating and naming new drinks for the liquor industry.

Articles & Books From R. Foley

Article / Updated 05-02-2025
Want to be the life of the party? Learn how to make a margarita that’s sure to be a hit! This margarita recipe is easy to follow and will have your guests coming back for more. Whether you’re a professional bartender or just want to impress your friends, this classic drink is a must-have in your repertoire.Ingredients1 oz.
Bartending For Dummies
Make drinks like a master mixologist with 1,000 recipes Bartenders are the life of the party—and it’s never been easier to prepare and serve drinks that keep partygoers coming back for more! Whether you want to break into professional bartending or up your ante as a home mixologist, this clear, easy-to-follow guide has you covered.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 07-21-2023
Good bartenders pride themselves on being knowledgeable about cocktail recipes and proficient in the art of properly serving their guests and patrons. With a healthy repertoire of popular mixed drink recipes and the right ingredients at your fingertips, you can be the life of any gathering. © Kolya Korzh / Unsplash.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 05-07-2024
Running a bar isn’t for the faint of heart. Besides the daily needs of running a bar — for example, what condiments to keep behind the bar and what to put on the menu — you also have to deal with the rigors of management, such as keeping your employees honest, staying on the right side of your state alcohol control board, and dealing with patrons who've had a few too many.
Step by Step / Updated 04-21-2017
Many drinks require fruit garnishes. Your guests expect the garnish, so you can't forgo it, and you have to do it well. Presentation counts, big time. You may mix the best drinks on the planet, but if they don't look good when you serve them, no one's going to want to drink them.Lemon twistsCut off both ends of the lemon.
Article / Updated 06-06-2016
Is there any drink more popular than the Espresso Martini? With this recipe, It’s never been easier to prepare and will keep partygoers coming back for more!If you’re looking for fresh ideas to keep your friends or customers happy, Bartending For Dummies is the perfect how-to resource for making a splash with great drinks.
Article / Updated 06-06-2016
People generally expect bartenders to serve certain drinks in certain kinds of glasses. The problem is that there are more standard bar glasses than most people (and many bars) care to purchase. Brandy or cognac snifter: These are available in a wide range of sizes; the large, short-stemmed bowl should be cupped in the hand to warm the brandy or cognac.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
A cost of goods sold (COGS) report measures your actual food and beverage cost percentages in your bar, rather than an estimate. It helps you figure out how much of your food (in dollars) turns into actual sales (in dollars). It shows you how much you’re spending on inventory items compared to your sales, which is the ultimate test of how well you manage your inventory.
Article / Updated 06-06-2016
Tequila and bartenders is a good match. Since the 17th century, and now by Mexican law, all tequila comes from a certain area known as Tequila within the state of Jalisco. In this dry, volcanic soil of the Sierra Madre foothills, you can find the home of tequila's largest producers. Tequila is produced from the heart of one species of agave plant, the Agave tequilana weber, or the blue variety.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
Your cash flow is simply the movement of money into and out of your bar. Money flows into the bar when patrons buy drinks. Money flows out of the bar when you pay the electric bill. If you think keeping your checkbook balanced is a challenge, consider how tough it is when you don’t know what your paycheck (in this case, your sales) is going to be and when it might find its way to you.