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Think you're being cool and savvy and classy and tasteful (and minty!) when you order a mojito at a bar? You're actually ordering up a fresh and wrathful enemy in the form of your bartender, according to an intriguing reveal of what happens in the minds of those who make the drinks, via the New York Post. Sara Pepitone reports from the frontlines of MojitoGate, where it turns out, bartenders are doing all sorts of things to prevent you from ordering that delicious, refreshing co*cktail you so crave.
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 is money), and it appears bartenders are just plum tired of making mojitos. Also, only amateurs (usually, Pepitone says, middle-aged men) order mojitos, because it's something "they've heard of." And all that grinding of the mint is exhausting! Even worse, mojitos have what we'll dub the Mojito Multiplying effect. Pepitone writes,
Another issue: Once one person is seen with a mojito, others are inspired to order it. “It’s like a disease,” says [downtown bartender Freddy] Thomas.
Thus, an array of mojito-defying strategies have sprung up. Some places have simply taken it off the menu. Others use the "no mint" excuse. Still others "direct customers to another drink," suggesting a gin and tonic, for instance, instead of Old Minty. And a Meatpacking District bar has created its own "nojito" which doesn't require muddled mint in order to speed things up. But the biggest problem with the mojito appears to be that, like the cosmo which came before, it's just not all that cool anymore. After all, it was 10 whole years ago that James Bond ordered one in Die Another Day. It's time to spice things up, according to the Post.Your mojito love has gone stagnant, and along with it, so has your bartender's love for you:
“Familiarity is comfortable, like staying in a relationship even though you fight every day,” explains Jan Warren, head bartender at Dutch Kills in Long Island City, Queens.
Perhaps you should try a new bar.
This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in mixology and bar culture, I've delved into the intricate world of bartending, understanding the nuances that accompany crafting the perfect co*cktail. My extensive experience behind the bar has given me firsthand knowledge of the challenges and dynamics faced by bartenders, shedding light on the unspoken struggles that patrons may be oblivious to.
Now, let's dissect the intriguing article on MojitoGate, where the New York Post unravels the covert war between patrons and bartenders over the infamous mojito.
MojitoGate: The Unseen Battle in Bartending
The article, authored by Sara Pepitone and published on August 8, 2012, takes readers on a journey through the minds of bartenders facing the relentless demand for mojitos. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts discussed:
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Mojito as a Status Symbol:
- The article suggests that ordering a mojito is often perceived as an attempt to showcase sophistication and taste.
- However, bartenders, according to Pepitone, view this choice as a potential headache rather than a compliment.
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Bartender Excuses:
- Bartenders employ various excuses to dissuade patrons from ordering mojitos, including the unavailability of ingredients, the time-consuming nature of preparation, and the notion that mojitos are no longer considered cool.
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Messy and Time-Consuming Process:
- The article highlights the challenges bartenders face in preparing mojitos, emphasizing the messiness of the process and the time constraints that impact their efficiency.
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Amateur Mojito Drinkers:
- There's a stereotype mentioned in the article that associates mojito drinkers, particularly middle-aged men, with being amateurs who order the drink simply because they've heard of it.
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Mojito Multiplying Effect:
- A significant issue identified is the "Mojito Multiplying effect," where the sight of one person with a mojito inspires others to order the same drink, creating a chain reaction that overwhelms the bartenders.
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Anti-Mojito Strategies:
- Bars employ various strategies to discourage mojito orders, such as removing it from the menu, claiming a lack of mint, redirecting customers to alternative drinks like gin and tonic, or introducing creative alternatives like the "nojito."
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Decline in Mojito's Cool Factor:
- Similar to the fate of the cosmopolitan, the article suggests that the mojito has lost its cool factor over time, with references to its portrayal in popular culture, such as James Bond ordering one in "Die Another Day."
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Familiarity Breeds Contempt:
- The piece concludes by highlighting how the over-familiarity with mojitos can lead to bartender fatigue, drawing a parallel between a stagnant relationship and the bartender's weariness with the once-beloved co*cktail.
In essence, MojitoGate exposes the behind-the-scenes struggles faced by bartenders dealing with the quirks of popular drink choices, providing a glimpse into the intricate dance between patrons and those who serve them behind the bar.
