Cocktail Terminology
March 11, 2011 at 2:00 am Chad Upton 7 comments
By Chad Upton | Editor
Ordering a cocktail can be as confusing as ordering at starbucks. Here’s a quick guide to help you get it your way.
- on the rocks – on ice (“rocks”)
- straight up – chilled in a shaker and strained to remove ice (aka “up” or “shaken”)
- stirred – served on ice and stirred with a bar spoon
- neat – served at room temperature, no ice
- back – a glass of non-alcoholic liquid served with your cocktail, such as water for mixing with Whiskey
If you like martinis, they have a language of their own. Traditionally, a martini is made with gin and dry vermouth, then garnished with a green olive. Many variations have become popular, especially swapping top shelf vodka with gin. Here are some terms for traditional martinis:
- dry – little to no vermouth
- wet – extra vermouth
- dirty – extra olive juice, making it look “dirty” (murky)
- perfect – equal parts dry and sweet vermouth are used
Cheers!
Broken Secrets
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Photo: Adrian Hoffmann (cc)
Sources: Wikipedia (on the rocks, martini), about.com, drinksmixer.com
Entry filed under: Food and Drink. Tags: alcohol, bar, bartending, booze, cocktail, glossary, neat, on the rocks, terminology, up.
Broken Secrets 
1.
Victoria | March 11, 2011 at 9:16 am
The martini looks blue in that photo!!
2.
jen@vickyandjen.com | March 11, 2011 at 9:34 am
That’s why I like my wine and beer!
3.
Richard Head | March 11, 2011 at 11:42 am
Another secret is to tell the bartender that u want the ‘camera’ treatment and they will pour cheez whiz into any drink
4.
Ryan | March 11, 2011 at 10:25 pm
What terminology do you use to indicate that you want a ridiculously large umbrella in your drink?
5.
Chad Upton | March 12, 2011 at 8:13 am
I don’t believe there is an official term, but I’d be willing to put forward a motion for one. Perhaps, “on the beach” or “sunny side up”?
6.
Juice Detox | March 2, 2012 at 11:40 pm
Thanks for the mixology lesson
7.
Nathan BUrkes | January 4, 2013 at 2:08 am
Let’s not forget the sweet martini, where white vermouth is replaced with an equal measure of red vermouth (sweet).