How do you properly order a bar drink?
I order something and they will say how would you like it, and I get really confused, shaked/stirred, what kind of glass, with lemon/lime, on the rocks, etc. I am 21 and I just order Heineken beer but want to learn how to order liquor based drinks like a Long Island Iced Tea or a Bloody Mary correctly.
I know bartenders want quick orders and don't want to explain everything, so please give me some advice.
Comments
Most drinks you will order require no explaination. Most drinks are highballs (screwdriver, rum n coke, gin n tonic) and will be served in a highball glass on the rocks (NOT in a rocks glass) The only additional info you might have to give is whether you want a particular liquor used, and if you want it 'tall', meaning a larger glass, collins-sized or larger, like, "I'll have a tall rum n coke."
The drinks you mentioned in your Q, the Bloody Mary and the L.I.Tea also generally need no explaination unless you have a specific request, like wanting your Bloody extra spicy, or no tequila in your L.I.tea.
The three main drinks that cause the most frustration for bartenders are the Margarita, the Martini, and the Manhattan. Margaritas are served 3 ways, frozen, on the rocks, and 'up' (rare). Another option is 'top shelf' or 'golden'. Specify if you want a particular tequila. Finally salt or no-salt. Specify all your options when ordering, like, "I'll have a top-shelf margarita with Patron silver, on the rocks with no salt." Martinis are also served up or on the rocks. Unless specified, they are usually made with gin, but vodka is becoming more common. Specify your preferred liquor, like, "I'd like a vodka martini with Ketal One 'up." DON'T say anything about shaking or stirring, you'll sound like a complete idiot. Manhattans are either up or on the rocks also.
Valuable tip: If ordering multiple drinks, and if you also have a question, like 'do you have...', or 'can you make...', don't order all your drinks, THEN ask the bartender your question--you just erased his memory, and will probably have to tell him your drinks again. Ask the question first, THEN give him your drink order.
Quite a few other drinks need additional info, but this'll get you started.
I drink a 'tall skinny ***** (female dog) from Barbados that plays in the NFL.' This specifies exactly what I want AND how I want it, but only truly educated and exceptional bartenders can figure that one out.
Well if you order a drink like Long Island Iced Tea, the bartender should know how to make it and that its served in a collins glass. There shouldn't be a need for questions.
Certain drinks go in certain glasses and there are rules to preparing each drink. It simply shouldn't be left to interpretation.
My recommendation is to simply know what you want to drink. Once you have it a couple of times, you'll know how its served.
You can also stick to true classics like simply saying "rum and coke" or "vodka and tonic" if you want a quick drink. If they ever ask for what glass, simply reply a "rock" glass.
If it doesn't matter to you, just order the drink and let the bar fix it the standard way. Otherwise, if you want ice say "on the rocks" As far as shaken or stirred, shaken is better in my opinion but it doesn't really matter. But my point is just say the name of the drink and a competent bartender should be able to handle the rest.
You can place your order in english. Just speak a bit slower. Pointing at menu items is not a problem either. Practicing the native language in busy clubs might just leave you thirsty.
Be a little polite, with supremacy and along with dominance... The bartender should understand your request with full pleasure.... and also don't forget..... never should he know that u r without any tip.. and don't waste drinks! ENJOY!
"I'll have chivas with a soda back...."
"Disaronna on the rocks with a soda back.."
"Glenfiddich, straight up with a soda back"
any thing with a soda back means you want a second glass of club soda to chase what it is that you ordered....which is good for two reasons...1 keeps you from getting too drunk and embarrassing yourself and 2 sounds cool
http://www.tasteoftx.com/spirits/Terms.html
you order it!
just say "hit me bartender" aha
TWO POINTS!