Garnishes are important because they add a little bit of flair and character to the drink. They also add a little bit of flair and character to the bartender, which is why we learn how to garnish drinks. It may sound silly, but there’s something a little more dignified about drinking a fancy, dressed up drink; as opposed to trying to sip a martini from a dixie cup.

Fruits, etc:

• Lemons
• Maraschino Cherries
• Olives
• Limes
• Oranges
• Pineapple Slices (if you’re serving pina coladas.)
• Mint Sprig
• Carrot Sticks
• Pearl Onions
• Celery Stalk (with the leaves attached; used in Bloody Mary drinks)

Seasonings:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Angostura Bitters
• Tabasco Sauce
• Sugar
• Nutmeg (grated)
• Cinnamon

Decoration:

• Paper Parasol (umbrella)
• Swizzle Sticks (can be found in the shapes of straws, swords, spears and everything else that’s pointy)
• Candles
• Bead Necklace (Mardi Gras and Carnival themed parties)
• Flags (as in, real flags of a country)
• “Flags” (made by skewering half an orange slice and a maraschino cherry, then hanging over the side of the glass)
• Straws (of course)
• Sparklers (these go over well at New Year’s or Independence Day)
• Toy Animals
• Fire! (Yeah, seriously – some drinks are lit on fire before served.)