Sad Manhattans

[MrAtomic]

I had a similar experience last Thursday, when I asked a bartender for a Knob Creek, neat. When she looked confused, I repeated, "neat," to which she replied, "so you just want a shot"? I explained that I wanted room-temperature whiskey, preferably poured into a tumbler, or something a bit more forgiving than a shot glass loaded to the rim. It turned out to be a funny interaction -- I had to explain that it feels a bit low-rent to sip whiskey out of a little shot glass (I hope that doesn't mark me out as a snob). We ended up talking for a few minutes about this and that, and she poured me a drink of Fernet Branca, on the house. I've wanted to taste Fernet for quite a while but have been unwilling to buy a whole bottle. Long story short -- it is an intriguing concoction reminiscent of Vicks Vapo-Rub, Chartreuse, and bitters. I still had the taste in my mouth ten minutes after leaving the bar. While that might sound repellent, I'm probably going to buy a bottle, if only to see whether I'm capable of developing a taste for it.

[ILLfarmboy]

On the subject of drinks I shoulda sent back, I once ordered a Manhattan and got some concoction of bourbon and Grenadine garnished with a cherry.

[robbyvirus]

Speaking of bad bartenders, check out the "How to make a Daquiri" instructional video posted on this guy's blog. Pretty hilarious...No wonder it's so hard to get a good Manhatten:

http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/

[ILLfarmboy]

Speaking of bad bartenders, check out the "How to make a Daquiri" instructional video posted on this guy's blog. Pretty hilarious...No wonder it's so hard to get a good Manhatten:

http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/

Its never a good sign when your bartender starts picking his nose.

[smokinjoe]

I had a similar experience last Thursday, when I asked a bartender for a Knob Creek, neat. When she looked confused, I repeated, "neat," to which she replied, "so you just want a shot"? I explained that I wanted room-temperature whiskey, preferably poured into a tumbler, or something a bit more forgiving than a shot glass loaded to the rim. It turned out to be a funny interaction -- I had to explain that it feels a bit low-rent to sip whiskey out of a little shot glass (I hope that doesn't mark me out as a snob). We ended up talking for a few minutes about this and that, and she poured me a drink of Fernet Branca, on the house. I've wanted to taste Fernet for quite a while but have been unwilling to buy a whole bottle. Long story short -- it is an intriguing concoction reminiscent of Vicks Vapo-Rub, Chartreuse, and bitters. I still had the taste in my mouth ten minutes after leaving the bar. While that might sound repellent, I'm probably going to buy a bottle, if only to see whether I'm capable of developing a taste for it.

Hee Hee. That's why I went to "straight up", from "neat", a few years back. I haven't seemed to have the problems since. Have been successful in getting a neat pour in a nice glass. Go figure.

As far as the Fernet Branca, there was an article in the Atlanta paper regarding this and Coca Cola. It seems that in Argentina, Fernet Branca mixed with Coke is a huge cocktail down there. Particularly with the younger crowd. I think Argentina is FB's biggest market. Coke is very successful there, as well.

Cheers!

JOE

[dcb]

I always just say "no ice", and usually say it twice to make sure they heard me in what is usually a noisy environment. I don't think 'no ice' can be misunderstood so if I *do* get served something poured over ice, I can comfortably say it's not what I ordered. Also, in restaurants when the waiter asks about drinks I say just the water for now, thanks, and then go get my drink at the bar myself after ordering the food. Call me paranoid, but I wanna see what I'm getting..

[jburlowski]

Its never a good sign when your bartender starts picking his nose.

...and then stirs your drink with his finger.

[cowdery]

"Just whiskey in a glass" seems to work best for me when "neat" produces a blank stare.

[Attila]

It seems like no one is distinguishing between "Straight" and "Straight up"

To me both mean without ice. However, adding "up" at the end denotes how one prepares a martini (i.e. shaken). Otherwise why would you possibly add up following Straight?

And if I get something I didnt order, its always on the house. And I usually drink it until they get my order right.

[ILLfarmboy]

It seems like no one is distinguishing between "Straight" and "Straight up"

To me both mean without ice. However, adding "up" at the end denotes how one prepares a martini (i.e. shaken). Otherwise why would you possibly add up following Straight?

That makes perfect sense, Attila.

If I wasn't lazy about It. I have a copy of the OED around here somewhere. The one that has nine pages micrograpgicaly reduced and printed on a single page. You use a dome magnifying glass to read it. I wonder if there is an entry for "straight up" and a citation of its first known use in print.

[burbankbrewer]

I always just say "no ice", and usually say it twice to make sure they heard me in what is usually a noisy environment. I don't think 'no ice' can be misunderstood so if I *do* get served something poured over ice, I can comfortably say it's not what I ordered. Also, in restaurants when the waiter asks about drinks I say just the water for now, thanks, and then go get my drink at the bar myself after ordering the food. Call me paranoid, but I wanna see what I'm getting..

I'll take a chance on the drink order, what about the food?

[chefnash51]

Bartender School Terminology...these are the terms in the link.

Straight Up

Served without ice. aka as just "Up", different than a "Shot" in that a drink served Straight Up is served in a stemmed glass not a Shot Glass

I have to say, that every bartender and bar I know around my parts refers to "Up" or "straight up" as:

A drink served straight up or up is one in which the ingredients are chilled in a cocktail shaker and strained into a glass.

http://cocktails.about.com/od/cocktailspeak/g/straight_up.htm

"Up or on the rocks" being the most common question from a bartender if you order a whiskey without specifying. I always order mine "neat" often with a splash of water. Or I just get a water on the side and add my own if needed.

[kickert]

It seems like no one is distinguishing between "Straight" and "Straight up"

I was thinking the same thing. I have ordered bourbon "straight" but never "straight up" (of course that could be because I don't like ending my sentances with prepositions).

I am curious what Mr. Cowdery was refering to when he called his book "Bourbon, Straight." Surely he was not referring to a strainer and a cocktail glass.

[ILLfarmboy]

..I am curious what Mr. Cowdery was refering to when he called his book "Bourbon, Straight." Surely he was not referring to a strainer and a cocktail glass.

I think he meant "straight" as in straight whiskey as apposed to blended. as well as a bit of a play on words, as in the straight dope.....

[callmeox]

I am curious what Mr. Cowdery was refering to when he called his book "Bourbon, Straight." Surely he was not referring to a strainer and a cocktail glass.

Focus groups agreed that "Bourbon, Straight" sounded much better than "Just Bourbon in a Glass".

Scott

[kickert]

Focus groups agreed that "Bourbon, Straight" sounded much better than "Just Bourbon in a Glass".

Scott

When I read that title, I emphasize the pause, like I am ordering.

"I will take a bourbon..... straight." Then if I get the weird look I can say "Just bourbon in a glass."

[cowdery]

"Straight" or "straight up" usually refers to a mixed drink of some sort that is chilled but served without ice. My use of "Bourbon, straight," was meant as a play on Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, but with the "straight talk" double meaning.

"Whiskey in a glass" is more reliably ordered as "neat." If that order produces a blank look, I say, "just whiskey in a glass."

[shyster512]

Does a "shot of whiskey" imply anything other that neat?

[jburlowski]

That makes perfect sense, Attila.

If I wasn't lazy about It. I have a copy of the OED around here somewhere. The one that has nine pages micrograpgicaly reduced and printed on a single page. You use a dome magnifying glass to read it. I wonder if there is an entry for "straight up" and a citation of its first known use in print.

I tried to help Brad, but I don't have an on-line subscrption to the OED. A Google search led to numerous links to Paula Abdul, which led me to my bar for some Lot B, which led me to lose further interest.

I believe it is some sort of primal defense mechanism....

[cowdery]

Does a "shot of whiskey" imply anything other that neat?

It implies that you want it served in a shot glass, which I usually don't like.

[stoopsie]

"Straight" or "straight up" usually refers to a mixed drink of some sort that is chilled but served without ice. My use of "Bourbon, straight," was meant as a play on Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, but with the "straight talk" double meaning"

[cowdery]

Not that there's anything wrong with that.