Our bar terminology explained
Bar Terminology Explained: A Complete Glossary for Curious Drinkers
What Is Bar Terminology?
Ever been at a party or cocktail bar and felt like the bartender was speaking a secret language? You're not alone. Bar terminology includes everything from how a drink is built, to the kind of glass it’s served in, to what kind of liquor it uses. Whether you're ordering a fancy cocktail or prepping your own at home, understanding the terms can totally level up your experience.
Bar lingo isn’t just fluff—it’s how you communicate what you want and how you want it. So if you’ve ever hesitated before ordering “neat” or didn’t know what “on the rocks” actually meant, this guide is for you.
If you're looking to try something new once you've mastered the terms, start with this collection of popular cocktails and drinks to inspire your next pour.
Drink Types and Styles
One of the first things you’ll notice when getting into cocktails and bar culture is that there’s a name for everything—and those names mean something. Many of them describe not what’s in the drink, but how it’s made or served.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cocktail | A mixed alcoholic drink, often with a base spirit and mixers like juice, vermouth, or bitters. |
| Highball | Any spirit served with ice and soda or another mixer, typically in a tall glass. |
| Lowball | A shorter version of a highball, usually stronger and served in a smaller glass. |
| Shooter | A small, strong drink typically meant to be consumed in one gulp. |
| Sour | A drink made with liquor, citrus (usually lemon or lime), and a sweetener like simple syrup. |
| Flip | A rich drink using egg yolks, sugar, and a spirit or wine—often creamy and cold. |
| Fizz | Similar to a sour but with the addition of soda water for a bubbly finish. |
| Toddy | A warm drink made from liquor, water, sugar, and often spices, perfect for cold nights. |
For a deeper dive into technique, check out this guide to basic drink making skills.
Types of Liquor and How They Affect Drink Names
Bar menus aren’t just about the drink—they’re also about the kind of liquor being used. You might hear terms like “call drink” or “supercall,” which basically refer to how specific or premium the alcohol is.
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Well Drink | A drink made with the bar’s default, usually less expensive, liquor. |
| Call Drink | A drink where the brand is specified—like “Tanqueray and tonic.” |
| Supercall | Higher-end or aged versions of liquors, often premium selections. |
| Tot | A small serving of liquor—often used in traditional or military settings. |
| Nip | A mini bottle or a quarter of a standard-size liquor bottle. |
To get familiar with different liquor types, visit understanding liquor types.
Classic Cocktail Categories
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Crusta | A sour-style drink served in a sugar-rimmed glass with citrus peel lining the inside. |
| Daisy | A sweet and fruity drink made with a spirit, citrus juice, and syrup, served over crushed ice. |
| Fix | A sour served over crushed ice in a goblet, often with fruit garnish. |
| Sling | A tall, simple drink of spirit, water, sugar, and citrus. |
| Julep | A bourbon-based drink with mint and crushed ice. |
| Smash | Similar to a julep, with muddled fruit and herbs. |
To explore beer-based cocktails like grog and mulls, check out the beer basics guide.
Wine and Fortified Drink Terms
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Posset | A heated mix of wine or ale curdled with milk, often thickened with eggs or bread. |
| Negus | A British drink made with wine, sugar, water, and spices. |
| Syllabub | A creamy mix of milk or cream, wine, and lemon juice—served as a dessert drink. |
| Mull | Hot spiced wine or beer, similar to mulled wine. |
For more on wine in mixology, visit intro to wine varietals.
Behind-the-Bar Lingo
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| On the Rocks | Served over ice cubes. |
| Neat | Liquor served straight, no ice or mixers. |
| Box | To mix by pouring in and out of a shaker once, no actual shaking. |
| Lace | The final float of an ingredient on top of a cocktail. |
| Chaser | A mixer or drink taken after a shot to ease the burn or flavor. |
Get hands-on with techniques in the drink making techniques guide.
Glassware Matters
| Glass Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Old Fashioned Glass | Whiskey-based cocktails |
| Highball Glass | Tall mixed drinks like gin & tonic |
| Martini Glass | Classic martinis or cosmopolitans |
| Coupe Glass | Shaken cocktails like daiquiris |
| Wine Glasses | Red and white wines |
| Champagne Flute | Sparkling wines |
| Shot Glass | Straight spirits |
For more tips, visit choosing bar glassware.
Setting Up a Home or Event Bar
- Offer a mix of well drinks and premium call options
- Stock mixers and syrups for sour, daisy, or fizz types
- Use appropriate glassware for each drink style
Start with this well stocked bar checklist, or explore beverage catering in NYC for full-service options.
Planning a Party with Bar Knowledge in Mind
- Use terms like "neat" and "on the rocks" clearly in your drink list
- Plan for variety: cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options
- Make sure your bartender knows which brands are "call" and which are well
Not sure where to start? Visit the alcohol party planning guide for a checklist.
Final Thoughts
Bar terminology isn’t just for bartenders—it’s for anyone who loves to sip, serve, or socialize. Whether you're hosting a wedding, planning a party, or just ordering a drink with confidence, knowing this vocabulary helps you enjoy drinks the way they were meant to be enjoyed.
From flips and slings to juleps and grogs, the world of bar drinks is rich, flavorful, and ready for you to explore.
What is the difference between liquor and liqueur?
Liquor (or spirits) refers to distilled alcoholic beverages like vodka, whiskey, and rum with higher alcohol content (typically 35-60% ABV). Liqueurs are sweetened spirits infused with flavors from fruits, herbs, nuts, or spices, usually with lower alcohol content (15-30% ABV) and often used in cocktails for flavor.
What does "neat," "on the rocks," and "straight up" mean when ordering drinks?
Ordering a drink "neat" means it's served at room temperature with no ice or mixers. "On the rocks" means served over ice. "Straight up" means the drink is chilled with ice during preparation, then strained and served without ice in a stemmed glass.
What is the difference between a cocktail and a mixed drink?
Historically, a cocktail was defined as a spirit mixed with sugar, water, and bitters. Today, the term generally refers to any balanced alcoholic drink with multiple ingredients that follows a recipe. A mixed drink is more broadly any alcoholic beverage combined with non-alcoholic mixers, often made with fewer components.
What is a "well drink" at a bar?
A well drink is made using the standard house spirits (kept in the "well" or "speed rail" for easy access) rather than premium brands. These are typically more affordable options used in basic mixed drinks unless a specific brand is requested.
What does "proof" mean on liquor bottles?
Proof is a measure of alcohol content in spirits. In the US, the proof is double the alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage. For example, a spirit that is 40% ABV is 80 proof. The term originates from an old method of testing alcohol content by mixing the spirit with gunpowder and attempting to ignite it.
What is the difference between shaking and stirring a cocktail?
Shaking a cocktail with ice rapidly chills and dilutes the drink while incorporating air, creating a lighter texture and cloudy appearance. It's ideal for drinks with fruit juices, cream, or egg whites. Stirring gently chills and dilutes the drink while maintaining clarity and a silky texture, making it preferred for spirit-forward cocktails like Manhattans or Martinis.
What is a "dirty" cocktail?
A "dirty" cocktail typically refers to a Martini made with a small amount of olive brine added to the gin or vodka and vermouth. This gives the drink a slightly salty, savory quality. The term can also apply to other cocktails where brine or juice from garnishes is added.
What is the difference between a highball and a lowball glass?
A highball glass is tall and straight-sided (typically 8-12 oz), designed for drinks with a lot of mixer, like a Gin & Tonic or Mojito. A lowball glass (also called an Old Fashioned or rocks glass) is short and wide (typically 6-8 oz), used for spirit-forward drinks served neat or on the rocks.
What does it mean when a cocktail is "built in the glass"?
When a cocktail is "built in the glass," it means the drink is constructed directly in the serving glass rather than being prepared in a mixing glass or shaker and then transferred. Examples include an Old Fashioned or a Bloody Mary, where ingredients are added sequentially to the serving glass.
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