Walking into a bar for the first time can be scary because you have a ton of options. Similarly, your bartender or server is probably going to use a lot of words that you didn’t even know applied to alcohol. Tall, neat, double… what does all that even mean? What’s the difference between a cocktail and martini? Is there even a difference? Never fear. Here’s a crash course in everything you need to know about how to order a drink.
Neat
This one is really confusing, especially if you don’t dabble in liquor. When ordering a spirit, “neat” means that it is just the liquor and the glass. There’s no mixer or chaser. Just booze. It’s usually about 2 ounces and meant to be sipped. Also, you will only ever hear this term associated with whiskey, bourbon, or scotch – mainly because there’s a taste to savor with these. No one really savors the flavor of vodka.
Short or Highball (Tall)
This refers to the type of glass you’ll get your drink served in. Short refers to a rocks that holds about 2 ounces (give or take) of liquor. A highball or tall glass is a taller glass, meaning you’ll have more room for whichever mixer (i.e. Coke, ginger ale, orange juice, etc.). A short glass will have more equal ratio between liquor and mixer.
Double
If you order a Jack and Coke double, you’re getting (and being charged) for two shots of Jack Daniels. So, never hand your tab back to the bartender complaining that you only had one drink, so it shouldn’t be that expensive. Yes, you only have one drink, but you asked for two shots and liquor is expensive.
On the Rocks
Liquor poured over ice. That’s all it means. Seriously…don’t make it more difficult that it has to be. This isn’t to be confused with “Chilled,” which is where the liquor is shaken or stirred with ice and then strained.
Straight Up (or Up)
This term means to take a drink, stir or shake with ice, then be strained into usually a stemmed glass (like a martini glass). You’ll need to specify whether you want it shaken or stirred and the glass will be completely different.
With a Twist
This just means adding a twist of either a lime, lemon, or orange to the drink, but it’s just the outer skin of the slice. It’s meant to add a little flavor but not overwhelm the drink. Similarly, if you want a twist of a specific fruit, clarify before your bartender or server leaves. Otherwise, they will just twist the usual garnish on the drink.
Dry
This is a martini-specific term and refers to the amount of vermouth that is in the gin or vodka martini. The more vermouth…the less dry it is. That’s all.
Dirty
Olive juice. OLIVE JUICE. A dirty martini has olive juice in it, so it is a little impossible to order a dirty martini with no olive juice. You have been warned.
Well (House)
Every bar has tiers of liquor and these tiers are determined by brand and price. Well is the lowest price, meaning no upcharge to use this spirit.
Call
This is the midrange liquor. These are usually name brand, like Jack Daniels, Absolut, or Jim Beam. There will be a slight upcharge to use these.
Top Shelf
This is the fancy stuff. Grey Goose, Woodford Reserve, etc. Very expensive. So, remember the price when ordering. Grey Goose sounds nice, but it doesn’t when wallet can only handle well drinks.
These terms are some of the most common and most likely to be in follow-up questions after you order your drink. With this guide, you can be the customer that bartenders and servers covet. Remember to keep your wallet in mind and understand that liquor cost money. Also, remember these term to make your bartender’s life easier.
