Term | Pronunciation | Definition | Context/Example |
Aperitif | ah-per-uh-teef | A light pre-dinner drink is served to stimulate the appetite | "Campari is a classic aperitif." |
Back | bak | A small chaser drink served alongside a spirit | "Whiskey with a beer back." |
Bartab | bar-tab | A running record of a guest's drinks is to be settled at the end | "Open a tab for table 10." |
Bitters | bit-erz | Concentrated aromatic flavouring agent added in small amounts to cocktails | "Add two dashes of Angostura bitters." |
Bleeding | bleed-ing | A pour count method used to measure spirits without a jigger | "Count '1-2-3-4' when bleeding spirits." |
Build | bild | A drink assembled directly in the serving glass without shaking or stirring | "Build the highball in a rocks glass." |
Call drink | kawl drink | A drink made with a specific named brand rather than house liquor | "Make that a call drink with Grey Goose." |
Chill | chil | To pre-cool glassware before serving a cold cocktail | "Chill the martini glasses in the freezer." |
Dash | dash | A very small measured amount, approximately 1/8 teaspoon | "Add a dash of grenadine." |
Digestif | dee-zhes-teef | An after-dinner drink is traditionally served to aid digestion | "Offer a digestif with dessert." |
Dirty | der-tee | A martini or cocktail made with a splash of olive brine | "Vodka martini, dirty, with olives." |
Double strain | duh-buhl strayn | Straining a cocktail through both a shaker strainer and a fine mesh sieve | "Double strain to remove ice chips." |
Dry | dry | Refers to less or no vermouth in a martini | "Make it extra dry." |
Express | ek-spres | Squeeze and release citrus peel oils over the surface of a drink | "Express the lemon peel over the cocktail." |
Finger | fing-er | An informal rough pour measurement based on finger width | "Pour two fingers of bourbon." |
Flamed | flaymd | Igniting expressed citrus oils over a drink for aroma and presentation | "Flame the orange peel over the old-fashioned." |
Float | floht | Gently layering one ingredient on top of a drink without mixing | "Float the cream on the Irish coffee." |
Free pour | free por | Pouring spirits without a measuring tool, relying on count or experience | "He can free pour a perfect ounce." |
Garnish | gar-nish | A decorative or flavour-enhancing addition to a finished cocktail | "Garnish with a cherry and orange slice." |
Hawthorne strainer | haw-thorn strayn-er | A spring-coil strainer is used to strain cocktails from a shaker | "Use the Hawthorne strainer for the martini." |
Highball | hy-bawl | A tall glass drink combining a spirit with a larger amount of mixer | "Gin and tonic is a classic highball." |
House pour | hows por | The standard volume of spirit served in a single measure | "Our house pour is 30ml." |
Jigger | jig-er | A double-sided measuring tool used for accurate spirit pours | "Use a jigger for accurate pours." |
Last call | last kawl | The final opportunity for guests to order alcohol before the bar closes | "It's 1:30 AM — give a last call at the bar." |
Layered | lay-erd | A cocktail built with distinct visible colour layers by careful pouring | "Pour slowly to keep the layers separate." |
Lowball | loh-bawl | A short, wide glass used for spirits on the rocks or neat | "Serve the whiskey in a lowball glass." |
Mocktail | mok-tayl | A non-alcoholic cocktail designed to mirror the presentation of a cocktail | "We have three mocktails on the menu." |
Muddle | muhd-uhl | Crush fresh ingredients in a glass to release their juices and oils | "Muddle the mint for the mojito." |
Muddled | muhd-uhld | The state of the ingredients after being crushed to release flavour | "Mojito needs muddled mint leaves." |
Neat | neet | A spirit served at room temperature with no ice, water, or mixer | "Customer wants a whiskey neat." |
On the rocks | awn thuh roks | A drink served over ice cubes | "Vodka on the rocks, please." |
Overproof | oh-ver-proof | An alcohol with a higher than standard ABV, typically above 57% | "That rum is overproof — use less than usual." |
Proof | proof | A measurement of alcohol content, equal to double the ABV percentage | "This whiskey is 90 proof — 45% ABV." |
Rim | rim | Coating the edge of a glass with salt, sugar, or spice before serving | "Rim the glass with salt for the margarita." |
Rocks glass | roks glas | A short, wide glass used for spirits on ice or short cocktails | "Pour the Negroni over ice in a rocks glass." |
Shaken | shay-ken | A cocktail mixed by shaking vigorously with ice in a cocktail shaker | "A daiquiri should be shaken, not stirred." |
Shot | shaht | A single measure of spirit, typically 25ml or 30ml, depending on the region | "Line up three shots of tequila." |
Soda back | soh-dah bak | A small glass of soda water served alongside a spirit | "Whiskey neat with a soda back." |
Speed rail | speed rayl | The front bar storage rack holds well-loved liquors for quick access | "Restock the speed rail before the rush." |
Splash | splash | A small informal pour of mixer added to a drink | "Add a splash of soda water." |
Stirred | sterd | A cocktail mixed by stirring gently with ice to maintain clarity | "A Manhattan is stirred to maintain clarity." |
Strained | straynd | A cocktail separated from its ice before being poured into the serving glass | "Double strain the drink for smoothness." |
Straight up | strayt uhp | Chilled by shaking or stirring with ice, then strained, served without ice | "She wants her martini straight up." |
Top shelf | top shelf | Premium or high-quality alcohol brands are kept on the upper bar shelf | "He's asking for a top-shelf tequila." |
Twist | twist | A strip of citrus peel is used as a garnish and to express oils over a drink | "Garnish with a lemon twist." |
Up | uhp | Shaken or stirred with ice, then strained into a chilled glass with no ice | "Martini up — no ice in the glass." |
Virgin | ver-jin | A non-alcoholic version of a classic cocktail | "Make that a virgin bloody Mary." |
Well | wel | House or bottom-shelf liquor used for standard unmeasured pours | "Use well vodka unless they specify a brand." |
Well drink | wel drink | A basic mixed drink made using house liquors without a brand specification | "She ordered a gin and tonic — it's a well drink." |
Wet | wet | A martini made with more vermouth than standard | "He likes his martini wet — extra vermouth." |