How to Rim a Cocktail Glass

Bloody Mary’s, Lemon Drops, Sidecars, or Margaritas are just some of the cocktails where you’ll be called upon to rim the serving glass.  Some places will have you only rim half the glass so as to allow the guest to enjoy with or without sipping.  Most commonly though you will rim the entire glass’s lip with sugar or salt.  The three-compartment rimmer is found behind most busy bars, and allows for quick glass rimming by providing a dampened sponge along with a sugar and salt compartment.  I have used plenty of them and don’t have an issue with you doing the same.  But if your work doesn’t have any or you just want to be fancy then today’s article provides an alternative.  Let’s look into the proper way to rim a cocktail glass.

Prepare the Glass

Take a citrus wedge and run it along the outside of the glass’s lip leaving a trail of citrus juice in your wake.  Make sure to wipe up any juice that runs beyond an inch of the lip.  Set the wet glass aside.

Prepare the Rimming Ingredient

Take a simple saucer and thickly cover its inner surface in either sugar or salt.  Now place it where ever it is you prepare your drinks behind the bar.

Roll the Glass in Sugar or Salt

Holding the glass so it is parallel to the bar, gently press the outside of the lip into the sugar or salt.  Now slowly begin turning it clockwise through the rimming agent until you have as much of the lip rimmed as you want.

Prepare the Cocktail Glass for Drink

Take the rimmed glass and gently knock off any loose salt or sugar.  Wipe away any excess that gets inside the cocktail glass or slips down the outside beyond an inch from the top.  Now the glass is ready for a libation and service.

When it comes to sugar rims reach for extra fine granulated sugar, though several other types will suffice.  Salt rims call for Kosher Salt.  If your bar doesn’t use Kosher Salt and instead insists on using Himalayan Salt for rimming drinks, well…be like Randy Watson and gracefully exit stage left.

Cheers!