Bar Terminology Part I

TERMINOLOGY A lot of the terms and phrases listed below are standard throughout the industry. A good professional bartender will know his or her profession inside out. If you‟re just tending bar at home, you're sure to impress people with your vast knowledge. Here are some of the more common terms used in bartending. 

Box 

Pour the drink into and out of a shaker, usually only once. This gives the drink a quick mixing without shaking

Call Drink

A liquor and mixer, of which the liquor is a name brand (ie. Tanqueray and Tonic, Bacardi and Coke, etc.)

Chaser

A chaser is a mixer that is consumed immediately after a straight shot of liquor to create a different taste.

Cherry Juice Concentrate (Montmorency tart cherry concentrate)

Used to add a strong cherry flavor to any drink. High quality cherry juice concentrate is 68 brix and is available from Traverse Bay Farms.

Cocktail

This can be any of various alcoholic beverages consisting usually of brandy, whiskey, vodka, or gin combined with fruit juices or other liquors and often served chilled.

Collins

A drink similar to a sour which is served in a tall glass with soda water or seltzer water

Cooler

A drink consisting to ginger ale, soda water, and a fresh spiral or twist of citrus fruit rind and served in a Collins or highball glass

Crusta

A sour-type drink served in a glass that is completely lined with an orange or lemon peel cut in a continuous strip

Cup

A punch-type drink that is made up in quantities of cups or glasses in preference to a punch bowl

Daisy

An oversize drink of the sour type, normally made with rum or gin. It is served over crushed ice with a straw and sweetened with a fruit syrup

Lace

Normally applies to the last ingredient in a recipe meaning to pour on top of the drink

Eggnog

A traditional holiday drink containing a combination of eggs beaten with cream or milk, sugar, and a liquor such as rum, brandy, or bourbon

Fix

A sour-type drink similar to the daisy made with crushed ice in a large goblet

Fizz

An effervescent beverage – one which is carbonated and emits small bubbles

Flip

A chilled, creamy drink made of eggs, sugar, and a wine or spirit. Brandy and sherry flips are two of the better known kinds of flips
And the list continues...