Neat, Straight Up, On The Rocks: Bar Banter To Know

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Features 1 minute 29 October 2017 Neat, Straight Up, On The Rocks: Bar Banter To Know

In this series we decipher the lexicon of bartending. First up: the basics of ordering booze.

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Every industry has its own jargon. When alcohol is involved, there are subtle differences between up, straight up and neat; now is the time to get your bartending terms straight while you're still clear-headed.

Here are the basics to know when ordering your drinks:

Shot What it is: A liquor served in a small shot glass without ice; toss it back all at once. Say: “Two shots of Tequila with lime and salt, please.”On the rocks What it is: A spirit or a cocktail that is poured over ice cubes in a straight-walled, flat-bottomed glass. Some liquors, like blended Scotches, gin and high-proof Bourbon benefit from the chilling and dilution that ice gives to open up its flavors and aromas. Say: “Bourbon on the rocks, please.”Neat What it is: Two ounces of a single spirit served in an old-fashioned glass that’s meant to be sipped—no chilling, no ice or any other mixers. Usually used on Whiskey or Brandy, both commonly drunk at room temperature. Say: “I’ll have a Whiskey neat, please.” Up What it is: An alcoholic drink stirred or shaken with ice, and then strained into a stemmed cocktail glass. Say: “A Manhattan up, thanks!” Straight up What it is: Here’s where the confusion begins. ‘Straight up’ can be used to mean the same as ‘neat’ when it comes to spirits usually drunk at room temperature, but is also used interchangeable with ‘up’ if it’s understood that it’s a drink meant to be served cold. Say: “Ketel One straight up,” for a chilled vodka and Vermouth, or “Wild Turkey straight up,” for a Bourbon neat.

Written by Rachel Tan

Rachel Tan is the Associate Digital Editor at the MICHELIN Guide Digital. A former food magazine writer based in Singapore, she has a degree in communications for journalism but is a graduate of the school of hard knocks in the kitchen. She writes to taste life twice.

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