Balancing Craft, Efficiency and Design

Trademarked by Glastender in 1982, the Cocktail Life Cycle has remained a guiding principle for how great bars are designed and operated. While cocktail trends may come and go, the process of crafting and serving them has stood the test of time. Glastender’s enduring framework captures that process, turning the art of mixology into an intentional, efficient sequence that supports both speed and craftsmanship.

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The Cocktail Life Cycle outlines every step in creating and completing a cocktail experience. The assembly steps define the flow of cocktail creation, while the disassembly steps close the loop, preparing the station for the next order. Together, these ten steps form the rhythm of a well-designed bar.

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By designing around this complete cycle, Glastender helps bar operators build workstations that move as intuitively as bartenders think. From left-to-right layouts that mirror natural workflow to optimized placement of ice bins, speed rails, and garnish stations, every detail is considered. The result is a bar environment where efficiency and elegance meet, allowing bartenders to focus on what matters most: creating memorable cocktails, one perfectly executed cycle at a time.