what makes a drink dirty or neat

If you’ve ever ordered a classic cocktail at a bar, you may have heard some unfamiliar terms thrown around.

Most cocktails can be made in slightly different ways, and every guest has their own personal preference. So, if you’re ordering a new cocktail, the bartender might have anywhere from 1-5 questions for you. Just like you, they want to make sure that you get a drink made exactly how you like it.

One of the most common terms you’ll hear at the bar is “neat.” If you don’t know what it means, it can feel a little intimidating to ask. However, the worst thing you can do is nod along when you don’t understand what your bartender is asking. Even if they seem busy, the bartender would rather you take the time to ask than realize that you ordered something completely different than what you wanted.

This guide clears up the meaning of one of the most common terms you’ll hear in a bar so that you can order with confidence. Read through to the end to find a list of other common terms that are essential to know before ordering.

The difference between a neat and a dirty martini is the addition of olive brine in a dirty martini. A “neat” martini contains only gin or vodka and vermouth, garnished with a twist or an olive, while a “dirty” martini includes olive brine, giving it a salty and briny flavour.

How To Order a Drink Neat

To order a drink neat like a pro, be sure to name the liquor before the style that you’d like it served. So, say “whiskey, neat” rather than “neat whiskey.”

This helps the bartender organize your order in their head, which likely also has about ten other ingredients already in it.

The other way of ordering whiskey — that is, not neat — is on the rocks. “Rocks” are ice. So, if you order a whiskey on the rocks, your bartender will add ice to the glass. If you order a whiskey and don’t specify, be prepared to be asked, “neat or on the rocks?”

If you order a drink on the rocks, you may also be asked another question: “large rock or chips?” The choices you have here are one large ice cube that fills almost the whole glass (this is the classic way of serving whiskey on the rocks) or several small ice cubes, aka chips.

Not every bar has this option; some only serve chips. Plus, some bars will charge you extra for a larger rock, as they’re more expensive to stock than regular ice.

Even the most seasoned guests and bartenders can get a little confused by bar terminology.

Some terms mean different things to different people, and straight is one of them. Straight isn’t used nearly as often as its synonyms, so for claritys sake, you can just avoid this word altogether. However, clear communication is essential for a smoothly-operating bar, so it can help to know how people interpret “neat” vs. “straight” as a guest.

For many bartenders, “straight” is synonymous with “neat.” It means liquor poured straight into the glass instead of in a shaker. The only difference here is that people who order liquor straight typically intend on shooting the spirit rather than nursing it.

Other bartenders define straight as chilled. They will add your desired spirit to a shaker with ice and then strain into the glass. To avoid confusion, neat always means room temperature. If you want vodka chilled without any other mixer or ice, you can say “vodka straight, chilled” or even “vodka straight up,” which will get you a chilled vodka in a cocktail glass.

What Does “Neat” Mean in a Bar?

The term “neat” is most commonly used (and asked) when ordering bourbon, rye, or brandy.

When you order a liquor neat, it means that you want a shot of liquor poured straight from the bottle into the glass and served at room temperature. A neat drink won’t be shaken or stirred with ice, poured over ice, or mixed with anything. Think of it as an uncluttered, tidy drink — hence the name “neat.”

Ordering “neat” also indicates to the bartender that you intend to sip the drink slowly rather than shoot it. Do they necessarily need to know this? Not really, but it’s all a part of bar culture.

3 Classic Ways to Make a Martini

FAQ

What makes a drink a dirty drink?

What is difference between neat and straight up?

What is a drink made dirty?

What is a drink that is neat?

What makes a dirty cocktail?

But then again, it’s not as tame as vanilla either. It’s a dirty cocktail because this classic drink has taken a skinny dip in the savory pool. When done right, a dirty cocktail is an interesting mix of flavors that complement each other and gives the drink an exciting edge. But what makes a cocktail dirty? Simple. It’s been dirtied. By brine.

What happens if one drinks too much water?

When you drink too much water, your kidneys can’t get rid of the excess water. The sodium content of your blood becomes diluted. This is called hyponatremia. The daily recommendation is about 3. 7 liters of fluids for men and 2. 7 liters of fluids for women.

What does it mean if a drink is a ‘neat’?

The term “neat” is most commonly used (and asked) when ordering bourbon, rye, or brandy. When you order a liquor neat, it means that you want a shot of liquor poured straight from the bottle into the glass and served at room temperature. A neat drink won’t be shaken or stirred with ice, poured over ice, or mixed with anything.

What is a neat drinker?

Whiskey and brandy are most often ordered neat because many drinkers prefer to drink them at room temperature. Top-shelf tequilas and vodkas are commonly served neat as well. While sippers of these liquors are thought of as neat drinkers, the term can technically be applied to shots, too. In this case, however, the word straight is used most often.