what is difference between neat and straight up

If you’re new to the world of whiskey and bourbon, you may have heard the terms “on the rocks” or “neat.” But what do these bartending words mean? What’s the difference between straight up and neat? And how do these ways of drinking change the taste of the spirit?

Drinking a spirit “neat” is the most straight-forward. A “neat” drink is a pure spirit, poured into a glass with no other ingredients added, not even ice. Whiskey is a very common spirit to drink neat, but that’s different from a shot. A whiskey neat is usually two ounces, not chilled, poured directly into a NEAT glass.

A NEAT glass is a specially shaped glass that squeezes lighter ethanol molecules out of its opening and keeps the heavier, delicious smelling molecules within. A NEAT glass, standing for Naturally Enhanced Aroma Technology, helps you to appreciate the spirit in its purest form.

Some use straight to mean a white spirit chilled and served in a cocktail glass. An example of this would be chilled vodka in a stemmed glass. If the vodka were diluted with ice, it would technically be up. If, however, the bottle of vodka itself was chilled and no ice was added, it would be neat.

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 youre still clear-headed.

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

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.

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.

What is “Straight Up”?

Straight up is not as simple as it seems. Ordering a drink “up”, “straight”, and “straight up” actually all mean completely different things.

The term “up” refers to any drink that is shaken, stirred, or combined with ice and therefore chilled, but it is served without ice. This is different from ordering a whiskey “neat”. Ordering a whiskey “up” tells the bartender that you would like the whiskey chilled, but do not want to have ice in your glass.

Straight up involves the same process of adding ice to the spirit and shaking or stirring to chill the spirit, however straight up typically refers to mixed drinks or cocktails. Typical cocktails served straight up include martinis, sidecars, and manhattans. The easiest way to remember it at the bar is that cocktails are served “straight up” but a spirit-only drink like whiskey or vodka (if you want it chilled) is served “up.”

Just in case that was not already confusing, some bartenders interchange “straight” and “neat”. Some people will order a bourbon straight, when they really mean “neat” or “up”. So it can get confusing really fast – the best plan? Just ask your bartender – that’s what they are there for!

Let’s talk about a much more simple term. In every bar and distillery the term “on the rocks” means served with ice. So if you want to enjoy your whiskey with ice, “on the rocks” is the way to go.

What is difference between neat and straight up?

FAQ

Is neat the same as straight up?

What does straight and neat mean?

What is the difference between whiskey neat and straight up?

What does drinking straight up mean?

What is the difference between a neat and a straight drink?

Essentially, in this context, neat has more of an upscale, fancy connotation while straight feels more like a fun, carefree party. Up usually describes a drink that is chilled with ice —either shaken or stirred —and strained into a glass without ice. Typically, these drinks are associated with a cocktail glass , and this makes it easy to remember.

What is the difference between straight up and up?

Straight up and up opens an entirely different bottle of spirits altogether. In most cases, straight up and up are interchangeable terms, but they can become slightly confusing too. Straight up can have a few meanings, like a drink chilled by stirring or shaking it with ice and straining it into a cocktail glass.

What does’straight up’ mean?

‘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.

What is the difference between straight up and dilution?

Straight Up (Up): A drink that is chilled through shaking or stirring with ice, then strained into a glass without ice. Dilution: The process of water being incorporated into a drink, typically occurring when a drink is shaken or stirred with ice, impacting the flavor and temperature.