Common Bartender Terms

On The Rocks? Training Wheels? - These are just a couple of cocktail terms you'll need to know to when bartending. This section of our website will keep you up to date on the latest bartender lingo.

Age
The amount of time a whiskey, rum, or brandy has been stored.

Bang!
A term used to identify the double or triple flavor cocktails. (i.e. Peach Bang! – peach schnapps and peach juice)

Base Liquor
The main ingredient in the cocktail.

Box
Pour cocktail into and out of shaker. Mixes the cocktail without shaking.

Call Drink
A cocktail where the liquor is clearly defined. (i.e. gin and tonic, jack and coke)

Chaser
A drink that is consumed directly after taking a shot or shooter. Usually, to change the taste in your mouth.

Collins
A sour served in a highball glass with club soda or seltzer water.

Cooler
A cocktail made with ginger ale, club soda, or another carbonated beverage. Garnished with a lemon or orange rind. These type of cocktails are usually served in a collins glass.

Crusta
A short sour type drink that is completely lined with an orange or lemon peel cut in a continuous strip.

Daisy
An oversized sour type cocktail sweetened with a fruit syrup. Usually served in a large goblet.

Dry
No vermouth or a tiny amount.

Flag
Term used when someone has had enough to drink. Also a garnish.

Flamed
Drink is topped with high proof alcohol and lit on fire.

Fizz
A beverage that is carbonated or produces small amounts of bubbles.

Lace
Applies to the last ingredient in a recipe, meaning to pour on top of the drink.

Mist
To pour drink over crushed ice.

Mixer
A non-alcoholic beverage you mix spirits with.

Neat
The consumption of a spirit as a straight, unaccompanied shot.

Nightcap
Any drink taken before retiring.

On-The-Rocks
Any wine or spirit poured over ice cubes.

Pick-Me-Up
Any drink designed to delay the effects of the overindulgence in alcoholic beverages.

Shooter
A straight shot of whiskey or other kind of spirit. Taken with out a chaser.

Straight Up
When a drink is mixed with ice and then strained into a glass.

Tot
A small amount of any beverage, a "short shot" or a "touch"

Up
A drink served with no ice.

Virgin
A non-alcoholic drink.

Well Drink
A liquor and mixer, of which neither are defined brands. (ie. Gin and Tonic, Rum and Coke)