Flair Bartending Lesson #46: Cherry Pick Catch
This week’s can take some time to learn but is totally worth it. When people see you grabbing the pick and cherry and setting up for this move, most of them think it’s impossible. As you can see, it’s not, though it will take a lot of practice to get consistent with it. My pointers for getting the Cherry Pick Catch:
1) If you have access to the sword picks, use them. I find them much easier to hold steady between my teeth than normal picks.
2) Whatever pick you have, hold it firmly between your upper and lower teeth. You want it to be sticking straight out from your face and not wobbly.
3) Plant your feet with one foot in front of you and one foot behind. Tilt your head back completely so that the pick is sticking straight up towards the ceiling, perpendicular to the ground.
4) Use cherries without stems. Give them a quick rinse under water to remove some of their stickiness, making them easier to throw and catch.
5) Get a good throw, the catch will come. This means a nice, high toss, without having to move your body too much or lean into it.
6) If you’re having a hard time, lose the pick. Just practice throwing cherries (or M&M’s or jelly beans) up in the air and catching them in your mouth. However, be sure to focus on not moving your body or head – make the cherry come to you.
7) While I usually recommend being able to land a move 90% of the time before you try it at work, the cherry pick catch is an exception. Don’t be that guy mindlessly throwing cherries in the air and never catching any but if you can land this even 50% of the time at work, your guests will be impressed.
8 ) Do not serve this in someone’s drink. It is totally unsanitary. This flair move is for show only. Either garnish the drink with a different pick of cherries and discard the one in your mouth or – if you work in a rowdy, fun bar where you can do this – lean across the bar and offer them to some cutie.
The Discussion...
6 Responses to “Flair Bartending Lesson #46: Cherry Pick Catch”
Thanks for the website! Your tricks got me a job as a flair bartender. Keep the great videos coming :)
Congrats on the job! That’s awesome. Happy to help.
hates off !!! love you sir
i have learned so much from you.
Thank you very much. Happy to help. Maybe I love you too.
I think customers would think this is unsanitary.
Ha, didn't finish the video before I posted.