For today's Ask a Bartender post, limerence + liquor was lucky enough to get Brett MacDonald (and his fantastic tattoos) to answer a reader's question.

If you want to see Brett in action you can visit him at several bars across NYC. Yes, even Brooklyn and Queens!

The John Dory Oyster Bar (1196 Broadway at 28th Street)
Ba'sik (323 Graham Avenue in Brooklyn)
Dutch Kills(27-24 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City)

Len asks:

How can one be assured of getting a decent drink at a special events bar? Is there one simple, tasty cocktail that every bartender can make?

From concerts and weddings to charity auctions, gallery openings, gala parties and dances, it's about impossible to get a good drink, even when it's incredibly simple. We've tried the screwdriver, greyhound, classic martini, tom collins and failed to get a good drink at least 75% of the time.

Brett answers:

I think every bartender should be able to make at least the following: Negroni, Buck and Rickey. What all these cocktails have in common is that all of the ingredients are easy to come by and making them is quite simple for most bartenders as most can be made in the same glasses they are served in. I would also say that these cocktails have flavors that appeal to a wide audience and so would be found at an event for a large crowd.

Having said that, it does all depend on training and bartender knowledge. A good tip for a consumer or event goers is to know some simple cocktails (like the ones I mentioned above) and also know how to make them yourself. Should you go to an event and the bartender does not know how to make something like a Negroni, you can give them the easy recipe of equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth.

Below are the recipes for cocktails Irecommendordering at an event:

Negroni

1 oz. gin (Many events use the popular Tanqueray)

1 oz. Campari

1 oz. sweet vermouth (I likeCocchi Vermouth di Torino)

Add all ingredients to a glass. Fill with ice and stir until cold. Garnish with an orange slice.

Presbyterian (aka Rye Buck)

2 oz. Rye (I like Rittenhouse)

.75 oz. ginger syrup

.5 oz. lime juice

Club soda

Add rye, ginger syrup and lime juice to a shaker. Shake and then strain into a Collins glass. Top with club soda. Ginger syrup may be hard to find at an event, and so ginger ale is often used.

Rickey

2 oz gin, bourbon or rye whiskey (my preference is for Tanqueray gin or Rittenhouse rye)

1 oz. lime juice
.75 oz. simple syrup

Club soda

Pour the gin, bourbon or rye into a highball glass that has been filled with ice. Add simple syrup and lime juice. Fill the rest with club soda and stir.

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If you have a question please feel free to submit one here or you can always email Marysa at limerenceandliquor@gmail.com. Cheers!

Photo courtesy of Max Messier,The Brooklyn Bar Chefand future Bob Fosse Dance Dance Champion