Common Terms in Bartending

There are a lot of terms that are standards in bartending. A good bartender, as well as an informed customer, will have familiarized himself with the different terms used.

The more common of these terms are used a lot in bars. When a drink is Neat, it means that it is a spirit consumed straight and unaccompanied. It is often called a Shooter which is a straight shot of a spirit like Whiskey. A Chaser is a mixer that is used to create a different taste. It is drunk immediately after a straight shot of liquor. A Cocktail is any alcoholic beverage that usually combines brandy, vodka, gin, or whiskey with other liquors or fruit juices and is often served chilled. A Well Drink is the opposite of a Call Drink because it is a drink made up of a mixer and liquor without a definite brand. Examples of this drink are Gin and Tonic and Rum and Coke. When a person says that he wants his drink On the Rocks, this means that the wine or liquor is poured over a glass of ice cubes. On the other hand, a Mist is a popular after-dinner drink and is liquor served over a glass full of crushed ice, not cubes. A Tot generally means a drink with only a small amount of liquor.

Punch is a popular party drink. It is usually prepared in a large bowl and is made of fruits, fruit juices, soft drinks, flavoring and sweeteners, with a wine or liquor base. Punch is often served in cups or glasses that accompany the punch bowl. Here, the drink is often referred to as a Cup. Negus is a drink with a punch-like combination of wine, sweetened, but heated with spices.

When a drink is termed Sour, it means that it is a short drink made of liquor, lime or lemon juice and sugar. A Collins is a sour drink served with soda water or seltzer water and is in a tall glass. A Crusta is also a sour drink where the glass is lined with an orange or lemon peel that is cut in a continuous strip. A Fix is a sour drink that is similar to the Daisy but with crushed ice and served in a large goblet.

Certain drinks have unique properties. Some are heated, served in distinct glasses, or have special textures. The Toddy is a sweet drink made of liquor, hot water and spices and is often in a tall glass. The Grog is served in a large mug and is rum-based with water, sugar and fruit juice. The Lowball is the opposite of the Highball and is a short drink of a spirit and is served with ice, soda, or water in a small glass. The Fizz is a carbonated drink and is effervescent and emits small bubbles. The Frappe is a mixture of certain fruits and ingredients served over a mound of crushed ice and are partially frozen, giving it a different feel. A Shrub is a beverage that is a mix of spirits, fruit juices and sugar that is aged in casks then bottled. Lastly, a Super Call is a certain alcohol that is high octane with high proof, aged really well or flavored versions. They are often known as "Top shelf" or "Super Premium".

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Bartending