Comments on: Up, Neat, Straight Up, or On the Rocks

By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Jeffrey Morgenthaler — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:49:28 +0000

Jimmy, you of all people should be able to look them in the eye and say, “That’s not what that means.”

By: jimmy

jimmy — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:47:31 +0000

The funny thing about this is, when you try to clarify a customer’s terminology, they sometimes look at you like you’re the idiot.

“I said ‘neat,’ I want it cold in a martini glass you fool!”

By: John Claude

John Claude — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:02:59 +0000

Jeff F.

“with a water back” is how you’d get that on the side.

Conversely, after bartending out East, I’m amazed at how many martini/manhattan drinkers want the rocks from the mix on the side. It kills me to see them sit on their drink FOREVER and keep it chilled by dumping the old ice in periodically.

By: blair frodelius

blair frodelius — Sat, 10 May 2008 15:39:31 +0000

There have been several times I’ve ordered scotch or whiskey neat, only to be given an odd look when I ask for water on the side. 9 times out of 10, they bring a glass of ice water (with cubes), making it difficult to add to the glass without splashing everything everywhere. I’d like to see small pitchers available with spring water, even if it’s an extra cost. After all, how much is that shot costing you to begin with?

By: Jeff Frane

Jeff Frane — Fri, 09 May 2008 23:43:50 +0000

As a customer, I appreciate the heads up. I always thought that neat=up=straight up. Obviously, I’m a dope.

Is there a specific reference for “neat, with water/ice in a separate glass”?

And I would put in a vote that any bar serving good malt whisky has a pitcher of *good* water available for a splash.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:30:38 +0000

Ah, but a hardcore whiskey drinker would know to order his whiskey neat

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:23:34 +0000

I completely agree with your definitions Jeff. Now, if only we could get the customers to comply!

By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Jeffrey Morgenthaler — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:17:44 +0000

Dan, I think that a hard-core whiskey drinker looking for a “Lagavulin, straight up” is going to have a problem with your definition, there.

And Lance, that glass is chipped. I got all of those images off of iStockPhoto this morning and had to take the hand that was dealt.

Jeff

By: Lance J. Mayhew

Lance J. Mayhew — Fri, 09 May 2008 20:55:35 +0000

Is that martini stem in your pic chipped?

By: Lance J. Mayhew

Lance J. Mayhew — Fri, 09 May 2008 20:54:11 +0000

I’m going to print this out and safety pin it to the shirt of anyone who dares misorder from me again now that this post is up.

I always cringe when they ask for a gin and tonic with a twist. I always try to clarify, and it usually devolves into them asking for a lime twist when what they wanted was a lime wedge. Stupid me, I should be able to read their minds from the beginning.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 09 May 2008 20:41:37 +0000

Here’s my take on things.

Neat: Room temperature, straight out of the bottle into a glass, be it a lowball or a snifter, etc.

Up: Chilled, in a cocktail glass.

Straight Up: Chilled, in a lowball, highball, etc.

To me, the Sazerac is served “straight up”. This is also how I like my whiskey sours.

By: Marleigh

Marleigh — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:22:17 +0000

Thanks for this. I’ve had many a bartender misunderstand what I mean when I say I’d like a drink “up”—I may print this out to keep with me, just in case.