Flair Lesson #22: Thumb Roll
Warning: this one is maddening, addictive, and super fun. It was maddening for me because it took me forever to finally get it down. It’s addictive because it is a move that you can easily practice and repeat without really focusing on it. And it’s super fun – once you get it down.
The main reason I love this move is that even though it is not super flashy, it is a great litmus test. As I’ve mentioned before, not everyone wants to see you flair – oftentimes they just want a quick drink. This move is a great little litmus test to help determine whether or not your guest is interested. I start probably half my cocktails with this thumb roll; if I see that the guest takes notice or smiles at this maneuver, I might go into a couple more complex moves. If they don’t seem to care, I go right into making their drink and it hasn’t cost me a single second. Tips for thumb roll:
1) Start with the proper grip on the tin. Your thumb and middle finger should be on opposite sides of the bottom of the tin – right on the weight if you are using a weighted tin. The tin should be able to swing or hinge freely.
2) To get the tin to roll up and over your thumb, start by pushing your thumb up and into the tin at the same time as you push your middle finger down and into the tin. They should almost feel like they are opposite sides of a circle, like a yin and yang.
3) Once you can roll the tin up and over your thumb, you need to get your fingers out of the way. As soon as tin starts to roll up, open your palm and extend your fingers all the way open. This can be the toughest part because it happens really quick.
4) Once the tin makes its revolution, simply close your fingers back around the tin.
5) Stick with it and keep practicing. It will come to you, I promise.
6) Once you’ve got this down with one hand, try it with the other hand. I’d be lying if I said my left hand was as strong as my right at this, but you can see in the video that there is a fun drill you can do with this to get better at both hands.
The tin I’m using in this video is the Neon Green Powder Coated 28oz. Shaker.
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