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One does not simply walk up to a bar and ask for a ‘cocktail’ if one wants to be taken seriously by the mixology crowd.

Knowing how to order a cocktail in the ‘correct’ manner will ensure that the bartender stiffens with respect and treats your order with the urgency and seriousness usually reserved for patrons with a ’00’ designation.

The world of cocktails has as much ‘insider lingo’ as the world of physics, so to help you sound like the seasoned cocktail pro that you are, we looked at some of this season’s buzzwords to help you along.

Bonus points if you can use all these in one order.

“On the Rocks” – If you like your drink served over ice, request it “on the rocks.” It’s a traditional way to enjoy your favourite spirit with a hint of cold.

“Twist” – Want a dash of citrus in your drink? Request a “twist” – a piece of citrus peel, often from a lemon or orange, twisted over the cocktail’s surface to release essential oils.

“Up” and “Neat” – When you order a cocktail “up,” you specify that it should be shaken or swirled with ice before being strained into an ice-free glass. “Neat” takes things a step further, offering a direct pour of the spirit with no ice, freezing, or blending.

“Wet” – This refers to drinks with more non-alcoholic ingredients (e.g. juices, syrups, mixers) than alcoholic components. It typically refers to a certain Martini style. A wet martini includes more vermouth, whereas a dry martini has less. A “wet” cocktail is also typically sweeter and less alcoholic in flavour, making it gentler and more accessible for individuals who like less robust beverages.

“Dirty” – A “dirty” cocktail, such as a martini, includes a dash of olive brine, which gives the drink a savoury and salty edge. This word can also apply to a cocktail created with liquor and mixers that are not strained to remove ice or sediment.

“Straight Up” – Similar to ordering a cocktail “up,” asking for a drink “straight up” indicates shaking or stirring it with ice before straining it into an ice-free glass. It’s the go-to request for individuals who want their beverages cold and without dilution.

“Float” – A “float” is created by placing a small amount of a certain liquor or liqueur on top of a drink. It enhances your drink’s visual appearance while also providing a distinct tasting dimension.

“Dry” – Ordering a “dry” cocktail suggests you want less of a certain component, usually a modifier like vermouth or liqueur, to achieve a drier flavour profile.

“Shake” vs “Stir” – When ordering a cocktail, it’s important to know whether it should be shaken or stirred. Drinks containing citrus juices, milk, eggs, or syrups should be shaken to ensure adequate emulsion and dilution. Stirring is preferable for drinks composed entirely of spirits to retain a smoother texture (think Negroni).

“Back” – Asking for a “back” alongside your drink means asking for a separate tiny glass of something non-alcoholic, like soda water.  It’s meant to cleanse your palate between sips and enhance your tasting experience.

Besides knowing the difference between a “dirty” and “dry” cocktail, making sure that your server only use Fitch & Leedes mixers will further enhance your reputation and drinking pleasure amongst the cocktail connoisseur.

Fitch & Leedes, the superb range of authentic mixers, is made with quadruple filtered water for ultimate purity to meet the highest standards in terms of quality and taste. With the correct cocktail vocab and Fitch & Leedes, the bar is your oyster.

 

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[source:eatout]