Bar technique
How to rim a glass and rinse with absinthe
A rim puts salt or sugar on the outside edge of the glass, so each sip picks up a little. A rinse coats the inside of the glass with a few drops of something strong, usually absinthe, for aroma without volume.
Both are prepared before the drink goes in.
How to do it
- 1For a rim, run a cut lime or lemon around the outside edge only.
- 2Roll the outside edge through salt or sugar on a small plate, holding the glass at an angle.
- 3Do half the rim if the spec says so. The guest can then choose each sip.
- 4Tap off anything loose so it does not fall into the drink.
- 5For a rinse, pour a few drops into a chilled glass, swirl to coat the inside and tip out the excess.
Common mistakes
- Salt on the inside of the glass, which drops into the drink and makes it salty.
- A full rim when the spec says half.
- Leaving a puddle of absinthe in the bottom of a rinsed glass.
