Sander Raav

Mixologist

Sander Raav is a Mixologist based in Seattle, Washington. He is the founder of Seattle Bartending Company, which offers Cocktail Workshops and Classes. He has over 15 years of experience bartending in multiple high-end restaurants, including 8 years as Bar Manager at The Tin Table. He has held positions as a bartender, bar manager, and as treasurer for the Seattle chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild. Sander has created and organized many bartending events, fundraisers, cocktail classes, and presentations. He has participated in many cocktail competitions and has garnered over a dozen wins and placements in the top 3 of national and local competitions. Thanks to his extensive competition and cocktail knowledge, he has also judged many competitions as well. In 2020, he founded Shake, Stir & Savor, a mixology education program, and has been offering live and virtual cocktail classes since. In his classes, Sander teaches his students to think like bartenders, while making concepts simple, easy to grasp, and replicable.

wikiHow's Editorial ProcesswikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.

Forum Comments (1)

How do I become a bartender?
Bartending is people. Depending on the bar you work at, 60% to 80% of your job is people. You can learn how to make cocktails, but dealing with people or understanding people is a skill that you can't teach anyone. And that's the hard thing to do because you need a lot of patience. You need to be able to not think about yourself and instead think about the person sitting in front of you. I think that's the hard part that makes this job so much more difficult, because every person is different.

You want the person to be attentive and understand and hear you. And, of course, you'll have a bad day, but if you're not even looking the person that you're taking orders from in the eye or not making them feel welcome, you're not excelling at what you're doing. There's a difference between delivering someone a drink or making them a drink or creating an experience that's going to make them go, "This was awesome.” And that is the tricky part. Some people are born with it and they're just naturally so good with people that it doesn't even matter what you do. They will love you and come back. Some people are in between. So if you want to become a bartender, make an effort to work on your people skills.

Q&A Comments (5)

How do I make a Jagerbomb?
To make a Jagerbomb, start by using a pint glass for your Red Bull. Opt for shorter, sturdy shot glasses to withstand the drop without breaking. Ensure the shot glass isn't too tall, as you'll only need about half a can of Red Bull, roughly five or six ounces. When dropping the shot glass into the pint glass, make sure it's not too tall to prevent it from properly mixing. If making multiple Jagerbombs, set up a Jagerbomb train by placing the glasses side by side, with a shot of Jager on the rim between each pair. When you drop the first one, it will trigger a domino effect, causing each subsequent shot to fall into the next glass. Test this setup beforehand to ensure the shot glasses can handle it without spilling or breaking.
How do I make a layered shot?
To make layered shots, make sure that the sweeter alcohol goes in first. Begin by mixing Irish cream and butterscotch liquor, creating a sweet shot with a lower alcohol content, around 60% ABV. The specific ABV may vary depending on the brands used, typically ranging from 12 to 15. Gently shake the Irish cream without ice to aid its floating ability. When pouring, do so slowly and close to the surface to prevent mixing, using a spoon or tilting the glass if necessary. Even if the layers mix slightly, they should separate again after a brief period.
Can I clean whiskey stones in a dishwasher?
Cleaning whiskey stones in a dishwasher is not recommended because the high temperatures and harsh detergents can affect their quality. The heat may cause the stones to crack or break, rendering them ineffective for chilling drinks. Additionally, the detergents used in dishwashers can leave residue on the stones, altering the taste of your whiskey or other beverages. It's best to clean whiskey stones by hand using warm water and mild soap to preserve their integrity and ensure they continue to enhance your drinking experience.
See more comments

Co-authored Articles (74)

How to Open a Bottle Without a Bottle Opener

The best tricks to easily open beer, soda, and wine bottlesIf you ever find yourself without a bottle opener, there are many alternative ways to get the bottle cap off. If you’re around the house, you can use different...

How to

Make a Blow Job Shot

A Blow Job shot is a popular party drink that was created in the late 1980s. It gets its titillating title from the way it's consumed and how the ingredients in the shot look. This shot is typically consumed by women and...

How to Open a Ramune Drink: Easy Video Instructions

Pop open the famed Japanese soda with a marble insideRamune is a popular carbonated soft drink from Japan, but it’s best known for its unusually fun bottle shape and stopper. A glass marble acts as a unique cap for the...

16 BORG Recipes to Bring to Your Next Party

Get lit (safely) with these delicious hydrating BORG hacksBORGS (Black Out Rage Gallons) grew popular on TikTok and are now known as the GenZ college mixed drink of choice. They’re super easy to make and each person ge...

How to Enjoy Soju: A Guide to Drinking & Cultural Etiquette

Learn how to open, pour, and drink soju like a Korean Soju, a traditional rice-, wheat-, or barley-based liquor, is a popular drink in Korea (and around the world). While often served chilled, it can be enjoyed warm, col...

How to

Drink Bombay Sapphire

Bombay Sapphire is enjoyed by folks who appreciate top-shelf gin. Made from a recipe that dates to 1760, it mixes well in cocktails, lends itself to making pitchers of mixed drinks, and even goes down neat (without mixer...

How to Drink Bacardi: Straight, Mixed, & More

Get sippin’ with our best tips & tricks for drinking BacardiBacardi Rum was established in Cuba in 1862 and has been a favorite spirit amongst partygoers, night-clubbers, and dinner guests ever since. Bacardi rums are ...

Explaining the Differences Between Pilsners and Lagers

Pilsners and lagers are both crisp and refreshing, but differ in their taste and appearance You’re at your favorite brewery with your friends, scanning the beer list, when a pilsner and a lager catch your eye. You’re...

How to

Drink Bacardi Limon

While it’s named after the Spanish word for lemon, Bacardi Limon is actually made with a combination of lemon, lime, and grapefruit. The citrus profile and the tropical flavor of rum work well together in a range of dr...

How to Make Your Own Moonshine at Home

Learn to safely make moonshine from cornmeal Making moonshine can be a dangerous undertaking, but if done with caution and common sense it can be an interesting small-scale science experiment. Making moonshine requires a...

A Complete Guide to Carbonated Water: Types, Differences, & More

What’s the difference between sparkling water, club soda, seltzer water, and tonic water?Sparkling water. Club soda. Seltzer water. Tonic water. All of these different labels are enough to make your head spin—but are...

How to

Make a Jager Bomb

The Jager Bomb is a popular party-starting shot. The classic Jager Bomb involves one shot (1.5 ounces) of Jägermeister and half of an 8.4 ounce can of Red Bull. Drop the shot of Jager into a highball glass of Red Bull, ...

How to Drink Vodka Straight or in a Cocktail

Get a crash course in vodka, like the best foods to pair with itVodka: love it or hate it, this odor- and flavor-free liquor is a staple in most bars and many modern cocktails. While not for the faint of heart, vodka can...

How to

Drink Cointreau

Cointreau is an orange liqueur that originates in France, and remains one of the most common brands of triple sec. It is regarded by some to be a category of liqueur of its own. While Cointreau is commonly found in cockt...

How to

Drink Sambuca

Sambuca is an Italian anise-flavored liqueur that is usually colorless, but can sometimes be deep blue (referred to as black sambuca) or bright red in color. The common, colorless variety is referred to as “white sambu...

How to

Make Root Beer

A seasonal treat to keep you perky during all your autumnal activities, homemade root beer is easy to make with the right supplies. On a stove, you can make the drink base yourself with ingredients, and ferment it with y...

How to

Make Nuka Cola

No ''Fallout'' party is complete without a punch bowl full of Nuka Cola. It's easy to make this sweet, highly caffeinated beverage. Just combine cream soda, Coca Cola, and Mountain Dew. Or mix together soda with blue ene...

How to

Make a Pornstar Cocktail

The sour taste of Sourpuss liqueur and the sweet taste of lime hits you instantly in this alcoholic drink.

How to

Make a Slushie

Summer drinks you can make with the right tools and some patience It’s a hot day, and what could be more refreshing than a delicious homemade slushie? Honestly, slushies are still great even if it’s cold outside. Ma...

How to

Mix Vodka

Vodka is one of the most popular alcohols to use for mixed drinks. Its clean, pure flavor is easy to combine with juice, soda, or flavored liqueurs, and you probably already have several easy mixers on hand. For a quick ...
See more articles