BAR TERMINOLOGIES

Liquor / Spirit

Put simply, spirits are unsweetened alcoholic beverages above 40 proof, whereas liqueurs are mixed with herbs and spices to amplify flavor with sweet.

Liqueur / cordial

A liqueur, or cordial, is a sweetened distilled spirit. Flavored with a variety of fruits, nuts, herbs, and spices, as well as things like chocolate and coffee, liqueurs contribute more flavor than alcohol to cocktails and mixed drinks.

Mixers

These are non-alcoholic drinks that accompany alcoholic drinks.

Alcohol by volume (ABV)

ABV is a metric used to determine the alcohol content in an alcoholic beverage. The measurement shows what percentage of the beverage's total volume is pure alcohol.

Proof

You’ll find this word on some drink menus and on all bottle labels. Divide whatever number the proof is in half and you have the percentage alcohol content of the liquor. For example, a 100 proof liquor is 50% alcohol content.

Ounce

Ounces are standard measurement units for liquids

1 oz=29.6 ml

Aperitif

These shot-sized alcoholic beverages are meant to be consumed prior to eating a meal. Their purpose is to stimulate hunger. They are not usually a sweet liquor and stick to earthy flavors. A few examples of aperitifs are vermouth, gin, and martinis.

Digestif

As the name implies, a digestif is meant to help with digestion and is meant to be consumed after a meal. They tend to be heavier and sweeter than aperitifs. Though not usually consumed as so, Jägermeister, is a popular example of a digestif.

Bitters

Bitters are plant-based liquids mixed with water and alcohol that are used in various cocktails. Bitters have a concentrated flavor, so they are used in small doses to enhance a drink’s flavor.

Aroma

Refers to smell of fragrance of a young wine. The odor of a wine imported by grapes from which it is made.

Virgin

It’s all mixer and contains no alcohol of any kind.

Dash

A few drops or a very small amount of an ingredient.

A Splash

Though opinions will vary, an internet consensus seems to have been reached that a splash is under a quarter ounce. A splash of something (ie. cranberry juice) is used to enhance flavor, not overpower.

Shot

A unit of measure for alcohol, a shot is equal to 1.5 fluid oz. Double, triple, or quadruple it as you see fit. The minimalist of drinks, a neat drink is as simple as it gets. It’s not chilled prior or poured over ice. Your choice of alcohol simply is poured into a tumbler or shot glass.

A straight-up

Drink is a liquor either shaken or stirred with ice prior to being served. The liquor is then strained and served without the ice. The result is a chilled and undiluted drink.

On the rocks

A drink on the rocks consists of a liquor poured over ice. The type of ice depends on the bar, but your drink is poured over the ice which slowly dilutes the alcohol.

“The rocks” = ice

Well drink and call drink

It is an alcoholic beverage served using the lower-cost liquors stored within easy reach of the bartender in the counter speed rail, speed rack, or speed well. In any given establishment, the rail/well liquors available may also be known as the "house pours", "house brands", "house spirits", "pour brands", or "proprietary spirits"

A call drink for which one specifies the exact brand or brands of liquor to be used.

Single and Double (Small and Large)

A "single" refers to one measure, and a "double" means two measures in the same glass. In the UK, measures of spirits such as whiskey or vodka are normally served as 25ml measures, so a double would be 50ml. This may vary in other countries.

Frost

To dip a glass in water, drain it and place it inside a freezer to create an icy layer around the glass.

Rim

This is the process of wetting the rim of a glass with lime and pressing it into a rim shot tin. salt Rimmer's are just perfect for this.

Garnish

This is what is added to a drink after it has been mixed to boost its appearance and flavor.

Free Pour

This refers to making drinks without using a measured pour spout or jigger to measure.

Burn the ice

Pouring hot water into an ice bin to melt the ice; usually because a glass has broken over the ice bin.

Last call / Last order

The last chance to order a final drink before the bar closes.