Bar talk can sound like a secret language. Here is a plain-English translation of the words you will run into most often in recipes, on menus, and across the bar.
“Dry” and “dirty” are the troublemakers. They mean different things depending on what follows them. A dry Martini has less vermouth, but a dry shake has no ice. A dirty Martini has olive brine, but a dirty dump means pouring the drink out with its ice. Each one is explained below.
How a drink is served
Term
What it means
Neat
Poured straight from the bottle into a glass. No ice, no mixer, room temperature.
On the rocks
Served over ice.
Up
Chilled with ice (shaken or stirred), then strained into a stemmed glass with no ice in it.
Straight up
Confusing! Some people mean “up,” others mean “neat.” When ordering, say which you want.
With a back
A second small glass of something (often water) served alongside to sip after.
Tall
Served in a taller glass with more mixer.
Martini talk
Term
What it means
Dry
Less dry vermouth. “Extra dry” means very little or none.
Wet
More vermouth than usual.
Dirty
With a splash of olive brine added. “Extra dirty” or “filthy” means more brine.
Perfect
Equal parts sweet and dry vermouth. Usually heard with Manhattans.
With a twist
Garnished with a strip of lemon peel instead of olives.
Gibson
A Martini garnished with a cocktail onion.
Outside of Martinis, dry usually means “not sweet,” as with dry vermouth or dry wine.
Technique
Term
What it means
Build
Make the drink right in the serving glass.
Dry shake
Shaking without ice first, to whip up foam (usually with egg white or aquafaba). Then you add ice and shake again.
Dirty dump
Shake with ice, then pour everything, ice included, into the glass without straining. Quick and casual.
Double strain
Strain through a regular strainer and a fine-mesh strainer at the same time.
Muddle
Gently press fruit, herbs, or sugar in the glass to release flavor. Press, don’t pulverize.
Float
Pour a final ingredient slowly over a spoon so it sits on top in a layer.
Top or top with
Fill the rest of the glass with something, usually soda or sparkling wine.
Rim
Coat the edge of the glass with sugar or salt. Wet the edge with a citrus wedge, then dip it in a saucer.
Free pour
Pouring without a jigger by counting or by eye. Fun to watch, easy to overdo.
Measures and bottles
Term
What it means
Jigger
The measuring cup of the bar, or 1 1/2 oz as an amount.
Pony
1 oz.
Shot
Usually 1 1/2 oz in the U.S., but it varies.
Dash
One quick shake from a bitters bottle.
Well, call, and top shelf
A bar’s house brand, a brand you ask for by name, and the premium bottles.
ABV and proof
Percent alcohol by volume; U.S. proof is double the ABV.
Simple syrup
Equal parts sugar and water. Rich simple syrup is 2 parts sugar to 1 part water.
Mocktail or zero-proof
A mixed drink made without alcohol.
Garnishes
Term
What it means
Wheel
A round slice of citrus, often notched to sit on the rim.
Wedge
A chunk of citrus meant to be squeezed.
Twist or peel
A strip of citrus skin, twisted over the drink to spray its oils on top.
Express
To squeeze a peel over the drink so the oils mist the surface.
Hear a term we missed? Let us know and we will add it.