Talk The Talk

Recently, my friends and I were at one of our favorite hangouts, when I witnessed someone ask the bartender questions like, “What tastes good with peach schnapps?” and “Do you have Black Velvet?” The bartender looked annoyed with this girl, and so did many people waiting to order. But I felt sympathy for her, because I, too, was once there, inexperienced in the wide world of liquor.

Now, I am well-versed in terms that allow you to avoid awkward silences between you and your bartender or annoying impatient strangers waiting for you to order. Here are a few key ones.

Back/Chaser: These two terms are used to refer to a non-alcoholic beverage used next to a drink containing alcohol. For instance, orange juice is a common back that can be paired with numerous liqueurs; it is used to take the strong bite out of alcohol.

Bomb: A type of shot taken by dropping the alcohol — like a bomb — into a larger glass filled with a back/chaser.

Dirty: This term is only used when referring to martinis: It is a cocktail containing olive juice and gin or vodka, and can be shaken or stirred.

Dry: Also refers to martinis, but instead of olive juice, it contains vermouth.

Jigger: Around an ounce of alcohol, hence the name Pint + Jigger.

Mist: Cocktails served with crushed ice instead of cubed. (Personally, I prefer this style because the crushed ice doesn’t overpower my cocktail with water.)

Muddle: A technique used to crush specific ingredients at the bottom of a glass, e.g. bitters, in an Old Fashioned.

On the Rocks: Cocktails served with ice.

Shooter: Alcohol with juice or cream but taken in the same manner as a straight shot; it helps make the process smoother.

Toddy: Alcoholic beverages served warm, most commonly coffee, tea and chocolate-inspired cocktails.

Virgin: Non-alcoholic beverages.

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