Five drinks that bartenders just hate to make (2024)

Being in the hospitality industry, bartenders don't like to grumble. But there are certain drinks they hate to make.

The primary reason a particular co*cktail earns bartenders' ire is the time it takes to make. On a busy night, with patrons three-deep, most bar professionals don't want to spend five minutes muddling mint leaves.

Other dreaded orders are popular drinks that have no accepted, consistent recipe; the martini is a classic example. These invite the customer to say the drink was made incorrectly, no matter how it was mixed.

It is not always the drink itself the bartender hates; sometimes it's the timing. Even the most simple shaken co*cktail is a hassle during Friday-night rush hour.

But some drinks are the bane of bartenders at any time of day. Here are five examples.

The Lemon Drop. This very common co*cktail can come as a shot or in a martini glass. It's a combination of vodka (commonly citron-flavored), fresh-squeezed lemon juice and sugar that threatens to leave you with a hangover.

People love Lemon Drops because they're fruity, sweet and often come in a glass rimmed with sugar. However, this drink is time-consuming to make and leaves the bartender with sticky hands.

Paschal Smith, bartender at the Bitter End in San Francisco, says he hates making them "because of the damn sugar."

If the bar is busy and you crave that citrus flavor, consider having a Kamikaze, which doesn't include that bothersome sugar.

The Manhattan. The Manhattan is a classic co*cktail usually made from whiskey, sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters, served straight up or on the rocks with a cherry. Devotees favor this co*cktail because of its old-time flavor and potency.

Bartender Eric Berchtold of the Cinch in San Francisco says he doesn't like to make Manhattans because, "Too many things go into it and everyone wants them made a different way."

Some insist on bourbon, others on Canadian whiskey or rye. Some people want cherry juice or Cointreau added.

Berchtold has had patrons order the drink because it makes them seem debonair, yet when it arrives, they decide they don't like the taste of bitters.

When ordering a Manhattan, help the bartender by specifying the type of whiskey you want. If you want anything more than whiskey, vermouth and bitters, ask for it.

The Cosmopolitan. The popular Cosmopolitan carries the same pitfalls as the Manhattan. A basic recipe is vodka, lime juice, cranberry juice and triple sec (an orange liqueur). But ever since the character Carrie Bradshaw on "Sex in the City" demanded perfection in her Cosmopolitan, people have had high standards in what was originally a fairly simple drink.

While fresh lime juice is usually preferred, some people insist on Rose's Lime Juice. Others want sweet and sour mix added to sweeten the co*cktail and give it a pinker hue. Sometimes Cointreau, a more expensive orange liqueur, is substituted for triple sec.

Without specific instructions, every bartender makes Cosmos differently. If you want it made your way, you have to specify.

The Mojito. Mojitos are delicious -- they're minty and fresh, and they provide a strong buzz.

But, to most bartenders, the Mojito is the quintessential "it takes too long to make" drink.

The Mojito embodies every reason a bartender hates to make a co*cktail. First of all, it requires fresh mint, which must be muddled -- mashed with a special tool to release its flavors. This alone takes a few minutes.

Sugar and fresh lime juice -- two sticky ingredients many bartenders dislike -- are added, along with rum and soda water.

To top it off, Mojitos must be shaken.

Bartender Noah Esperas of le Duplex in San Francisco says, "Go to a restaurant if you want a real Mojito."

He warns, "Honestly, if I am slammed at 1 a.m. and someone asks for four Mojitos, I won't make them. If it costs $9 for a Mojito and $8 for a Grey Goose (vodka), the bar isn't losing much and I can make up for it in tips with the other people by saving time."

Specialties of another bar. Just because you had a Lavender Martini at the Redwood Room in San Francisco, or an Angry Bleeding Minnow Farmer on vacation last spring in Hawaii, doesn't mean that you will find those drinks at every bar.

The Bitter End's Smith says, "I hate making stuff I've never heard of, which are most drinks these days."

If you must have a designer drink, you're going to have to know the recipe yourself. It won't help to bark a crazy name at the bartender and then get upset when she's never heard of it.

That said, most bartenders like to experiment. Pick a time when the bar isn't busy, describe the drink you had, be willing to pay for whatever the bartender concocts, and you just might re-create your vacation drinking experience.

Finally, a nice tip can turn any of these co*cktails into a drink your bartender loves to make.

10 ways to stay on a bartender's good side

1. Wait patiently. Don't snap, whistle, wave money, tap your glass on the bar or scream "Hey, bartender!" when he obviously knows you are there.

2. Always tip at least $1 per drink. If you tip really well you may find yourself receiving some free drinks. Tip for those, too.

3. Keep your hands out of the co*cktail tray. If you want a cherry, ask. Putting your hands into the garnish contaminates everyone else's drink.

4. "Please" and "thank you" are common courtesies.

5. If there are two bartenders, never order your drink from both to see who makes it first. Few bartenders will let you "return" a drink.

6. Don't act drunk and over-animated. By law, bartenders are not supposed to serve you when you are thoroughly inebriated.

7. Don't walk into a bar right before last call and order complicated drinks. This may be the No. 1 pet peeve of bartenders.

8. Always know what is in a drink if it is an obscure one. The bartender may make it if you know the recipe.

9. Don't ask the bartender to "stiffen" your drink. It is rare that a bartender will under-pour the booze in your co*cktail. If you want more, ask for a double.

10. If you can't be with the drink you love, baby, drink the one you're with. Try not to order one of the drinks bartenders hate to make when the bar is busy. Either go somewhere else, or be satisfied with something simpler.

-- Bianca Antonacci

Five drinks that bartenders just hate to make (2024)

FAQs

What is the most difficult drink for a bartender to make? ›

1. Commonwealth. With a grand total of 71 ingredients (yes, you read that correctly), the Commonwealth is, without a doubt, the most ingredient-heavy drink on this list. In truth, we're not entirely sure how so many ingredients fit into a standard coupe glass.

How do you make a bartender mad? ›

  1. Don't snap your fingers (or do anything else annoying to get their attention). ...
  2. Don't haggle. ...
  3. Don't get cute. ...
  4. Don't ask why you need to show your ID. ...
  5. Don't ask for the impossible. ...
  6. Know what you want (and be specific). ...
  7. Don't try to get more alcohol by asking for “less ice.”
Oct 2, 2014

Why do bartenders hate lemon drops? ›

People love Lemon Drops because they're fruity, sweet and often come in a glass rimmed with sugar. However, this drink is time-consuming to make and leaves the bartender with sticky hands. Paschal Smith, bartender at the Bitter End in San Francisco, says he hates making them "because of the damn sugar."

What is the hardest drink to mix? ›

Aunt Roberta

Considered to be the strongest co*cktail in the world, this drink contains 100% alcohol, with absolutely no mixers whatsoever. Gin, vodka, absinthe, brandy and blackberry liquor are mixed together in equal parts are used to create this lethal mix.

What is the weirdest alcoholic drink? ›

The World's Weirdest Drinks
  • Snake wine. No, it's not made from snakes. ...
  • Mares' milk alcohol. Known as kumis, this mildly alcoholic drink has an ancient history ― mentions date back to the 5th century BC. ...
  • The Sourtoe co*cktail. ...
  • Tuna tears soju. ...
  • Ant gin. ...
  • Kidsbeer. ...
  • Cow urine soft drink. ...
  • Smoker's Cough.
Nov 30, 2022

What is the most ordered drink at a bar? ›

The Most Popular co*cktails List Nationwide
Rankco*cktail
1Margarita
2Martini
3Old Fashioned
4Mimosa
1 more row

Why dating a bartender is hard? ›

Because we expend most of our social energy at work, bartenders often need quiet time on our days off. This can be hard when you're dating a new person. They often expect you to be the fun-loving, energetic bartender personality that they first met, and it can be disappointing when your off-duty vibe is much different.

What is the most annoying co*cktail to make? ›

12 Drinks That Bartenders Hate To Make
  • Bloody Mary.
  • Pina Colada.
  • Mojito.
  • Ramos Gin Fizz.
  • Dirty Vodka Martini.
  • Tequila Sunrise.
  • Whiskey Sour.
  • Chocolate Martini.
Nov 17, 2022

What drinks not to order at a bar? ›

10 Drinks You Should Never Order at a Bar
  • Long Island Iced Tea. MelanieMaya/Getty Images. ...
  • Ramos Gin Fizz. ...
  • Mojito. ...
  • Frozen Drinks. ...
  • Appletini. ...
  • Bloody Mary. ...
  • New York Sour. ...
  • A “Surprise”
Jan 26, 2023

Why do bartenders slap the Mint? ›

Smacking the garnish releases the aromatics of fresh herbs and adds a nice showy touch to herb-forward drinks like a mojito or a basil-enhanced gin and tonic.

Do bartenders judge you? ›

They got the drink slingers' opinions on everything from customers' orders to bar manners, and while some results aren't surprising, others might have you rethinking your co*cktail of choice. Lest you think you were just being paranoid, 81 percent of bartenders will change their opinion of you based on your drink order.

Do bartenders sleep? ›

Most of the time, a bartender won't get off work until 3 or 4 in the morning. For this reason, the typical bartender sleeping schedule can be erratic, and many find themselves sleeping in until noon in order to catch up on lost sleep. For some, however, this lifestyle is ideal.

What is the most alcoholic drink ever? ›

Here are 12 of the strongest liquors in the world.
  1. Polmos Spirytus Rektyfikowany Vodka. Proof: 192 (96% alcohol by volume) ...
  2. Everclear 190. Proof: 190 (95% alcohol by volume) ...
  3. Golden Grain 190. ...
  4. Hapsburg Absinthe XC. ...
  5. Balkan 176 Vodka. ...
  6. Sunset Very Strong Rum. ...
  7. Stroh 160 Rum. ...
  8. Devil's Springs Vodka 160.
Jul 29, 2022

What is the most drunk liquid? ›

Water. Water is the world's most consumed drink, however, 97% of water on Earth is non-drinkable salt water.

Whats an alcoholic drink everyone likes? ›

The 10 Most Popular co*cktails
  • Old Fashioned. The Old Fashioned was invented by James E. Pepper in 1880. ...
  • Moscow Mule. Sophie Berezinski and her father owned a copper factory in Russia. ...
  • Negroni. The Negroni was invented at Caffe Casoni in Florence, Italy in 1919. ...
  • Mojito. ...
  • Whiskey Sour. ...
  • Daiquiri. ...
  • Margarita. ...
  • Mai Tai.

What is a dirty alcoholic drink? ›

The term 'dirty' means that olive brine, usually from a jar of co*cktail olives, has been added to the drink. An olive garnish is typically assumed, too. Most bars add equal parts vermouth and brine, though you can specify 'extra dirty' or 'filthy' if you prefer more brine.

What alcohol do gangsters drink? ›

Among gangsters, scotch and whiskey were always popular choices, particularly the whiskey brand Cutty Sark. And they had their own way of ordering, as recounted by undercover FBI agent Jack Garcia: “Mobsters always order drinks by a brand. Never just a scotch and water, it would be a Cutty and water.

What is the 50 rule in bartending? ›

The 50 rule in bartending is a very simple one. It refers to 50% of a drink that is still in a customer's glass. Once the glass is halfway empty from consumption, you can serve another drink. This is very important to consider and it will be essential in a bartender's career.

What drink is bartenders handshake? ›

Fernet Branca

Practically synonymous with the term, Fernet is the handshake of choice for many a bartender — and some non-industry laypeople might say that the taste is not for the faint of heart, but then again, neither is the bartending industry.

What is the most ordered drink in America? ›

The most popular drink in America is sold at a 4000 percent markup and is responsible for tens of millions of discarded containers each day: bottled water.

What are the top 5 alcohols? ›

So what are the most popular alcohol brands worldwide? Everyone across the globe absolutely loves their whiskey and vodka.
...
  • Brand: Johnnie Walker. ...
  • Brand: Smirnoff. ...
  • Brand: Hennessy. ...
  • Brand: Jack Daniel's. ...
  • Brand: Bacardi. ...
  • Brand: Absolut. ...
  • Brand: Captain Morgan. ...
  • Brand: Chivas Regal.

What drinks are considered top shelf? ›

For House, the top-shelf liquor basics include good bourbon, rye, tequila, gin, vodka, Scotch whisky, an amaro, and bitters (both potable and aromatic), along with small bottles of sweet and dry vermouth, which she recommended keeping in the refrigerator.

What does screaming mean in bartending? ›

Screaming: A drink with Vodka poured on top. Example: “A Screaming L.I.T.” means a Long Island Iced Tea finished with some additional Vodka on the top . Frappé (or Mist): A drink poured over crushed ice.

How do you let a bartender know you're in trouble? ›

What is the Angel Shot?
  1. "Neat" or "Straight Up:" This indicates to the bartender or server that the guest needs an escort to their car.
  2. "On Ice" or "With Ice:" This indicates to the bartender or server that the guest needs them to call them a taxi or a Lyft/Uber.

Do bartenders memorize every drink? ›

Several bartenders mentioned that they remembered many drinks in their repertoire basically as riffs on another—instead of remembering abstract formulas, they master a few common drinks and then add and subtract ingredients to those to remember others.

What type of person makes a good bartender? ›

Being social, outgoing, and friendly will help a bartender succeed, sell more drinks, and keep customers happy. Keep in mind that being friendly and outgoing are very important; the underlying job of a bartender is to sell drinks.

Can you ask a bartender to make it strong? ›

You could but the proper way to ask for your drink to be “stronger” is by ordering a double. Matt breaks it down for us, saying that if you're craving a little more booze,“Order a double. Or an extra shot on the side. But know, we're charging you for it!”

What type of personality does a bartender have? ›

Bartenders tend to be predominantly enterprising individuals, which means that they are usually quite natural leaders who thrive at influencing and persuading others. They also tend to be conventional, meaning that they are usually detail-oriented and organized, and like working in a structured environment.

What do you call a female bartender? ›

bar·​tend·​ress ˈbär-ˌten-drəs. plural bartendresses. : a woman who prepares and serves drinks at a bar : a female bartender.

How do you hit a bartender successfully? ›

10 Tips For Effectively Hitting On A Bartender
  1. 1) Order Efficiently. ...
  2. 2) Have a Signature Drink. ...
  3. 3) Short Questions Are Better Than Long Ones. ...
  4. 4) Avoid Bartender Clichés. ...
  5. 5) It's Your Saturday Night, but Their Tuesday Afternoon. ...
  6. 6) Remember to Tip! ...
  7. 7) Show That You're Having a Good Time.
Mar 11, 2015

Do bartenders like to talk? ›

Bartenders are more than happy to engage in conversation with a customer—it's all part of a day's work, along with shaking up co*cktails, pouring out shots, pulling draught beers and generally making everyone's day better.

Why do bartenders not like to make mojitos? ›

Among the various excuses bartenders will give: "The bar doesn't have mint (or other ingredients needed)"; "It takes too long to make," "It's no longer cool (are you sure you want to drink that?)." The real reasons bartenders don't want to make you your mojito: The process is messy, they take too long to make (and time ...

What are explosive co*cktails? ›

A Molotov co*cktail (among several other names – see other names) is a hand thrown incendiary weapon constructed from a frangible container filled with flammable substances equipped with a fuse (typically a glass bottle filled with flammable liquids sealed with a cloth wick).

What should you not do in a co*cktail? ›

But before you start making co*cktails, you want to ensure you're making them right.
...
9 co*cktail-Making Mistakes That Bartenders Know to Avoid
  1. You use regular ice. ...
  2. You stir or shake when you shouldn't. ...
  3. You skip the bitters. ...
  4. Your spirits expired. ...
  5. You don't muddle.
Jun 4, 2021

What types of drinks should be avoided and why? ›

Juice drinks, fruit drinks, and fruit-flavored drinks have added sugars and should be avoided. Whole fruits are healthier options for your child than fruit juices. Caffeinated drinks, such as soft drinks, tea, coffee, and sports drinks, should be avoided for children younger than age 2.

What not to do at a bar? ›

10 Things Not to Do in a Bar
  • Don't be a bad tipper. ...
  • Don't wave money to get a bartender's attention. ...
  • Forget about hitting on the bartender. ...
  • Don't order co*cktails in a beer bar (or beer in a co*cktail bar) ...
  • Don't make the bartender pick your drink for you.
Aug 23, 2017

What's a girly drink to order at the bar? ›

Margarita is a classic girl's drink. It's mixture of tequila, lime juice, sour mix and triple sec. It can be served as frozen drink, too. Celebrate this summer with Margarita in your hands.

Why do bartenders hold jigger between fingers? ›

Hold the jigger between your index and middle finger or between your middle and ring finger to have a better pour just from flipping your hand. Holding the jigger any other way will put your hand in an awkward position.

What does it mean when a bartender cuts you off? ›

Ultimately, cutting someone off is at the bartender's discretion. In general, though, protocol says that if you spot someone who's over their limit, you should stop serving that person alcohol, hand over a glass of water, close the tab and call a cab. It's not always that cut-and-dry when someone's so wet, though.

Why do bartenders pour over a spoon? ›

Pouring soda down the spirals of a bar spoon allows bubbles to attach to the metal and enter spirits much more gracefully without fizzing over, thus maintaining that satisfying carbonation. “It works like a dipstick in a car — you pour oil down the dipstick, and it will stick to it,” says Stewart.

What drink do bartenders like to make? ›

Lots of bartenders love making a perfectly balanced classic co*cktail, like a Negroni or Old-Fashioned – and sometimes they add their own twist to it. Some said their favorite co*cktail to make a less well-known traditional recipe or a variation thereof, like a Sazerac, Bijou, or Clover Club.

Do bartenders hate making pina coladas? ›

Piña Colada

While it's a delicious summer treat, blended beverages tend to rank very low among mixologists. Not only are they time-consuming, but they're messy and sticky, too. Many bartenders feel it's a glorified slushy with some rum.

What drinks do bartenders respect? ›

The Best co*cktails To Order, According To Bartenders
  • Dry Martini.
  • Stinging Vesper.
  • Sidecar.
  • Esteban.
  • Caipirinha.
  • Jungle Bird.
  • Flip.
  • Daiquiri.
Mar 8, 2022

What is the most unattractive drink to order on a first date? ›

The drink most people agreed you shouldn't order on a first date is a shot. In fact, 27 per cent of those surveyed said it was the most 'unattractive' drink someone could order during an evening aimed at getting to know each other.

What alcohol is a red flag? ›

Red Flag is a rum co*cktail presented on the Absolut vodka page.

What is the #1 co*cktail? ›

1. Margarita. The classic Margarita co*cktail has been one of the most popular co*cktails in America for years and still remains on top. While there are many variations, the traditional recipe consists of tequila, Triple Sec and lime juice.

What is the easiest alcoholic drink? ›

Gin and Tonic

The best easy mixed drinks have the ingredients right in their name. Gin and tonic are all you need for this classic co*cktail! Its crisp, botanical flavor is straightforward but at the same time intriguing: a feat using only two ingredients!

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Margart Wisoky

Last Updated:

Views: 6776

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Margart Wisoky

Birthday: 1993-05-13

Address: 2113 Abernathy Knoll, New Tamerafurt, CT 66893-2169

Phone: +25815234346805

Job: Central Developer

Hobby: Machining, Pottery, Rafting, Cosplaying, Jogging, Taekwondo, Scouting

Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.