What Does It Mean to Have a Drink Neat?

"Neat" is one of several ways to serve hard liquor. Bartenders and customers commonly misunderstand the term, often confusing it with terms such as "up" and "straight up." Does this Spark an idea?

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Neat
- A drink served "neat" consists of a shot of liquor poured directly from a room-temperature bottle into a room-temperature glass. "Neat" drinks don't contain any mixers or have any garnishes. Whiskey, rum, vodka and tequila can all be served "neat."
Up
- Cocktails such as martinis or Manhattans can be served "up" or "on the rocks." A drink served "up" is prepared and then poured into a chilled, long-stemmed cocktail glass. A drink served "on the rocks" is poured into a tumbler full of ice.
Straight Up
- "Straight up" occasionally serves as synonym for "neat" and sometimes as a synonym for "up." Someone who orders a bourbon "straight up" probably wants it served "neat." A customer ordering a vodka "straight up" often wants a vodka martini.

Drinks Mixer: Bartending Terminology

Jeffrey Morgenthaler: Up, Neat, Straight or On the Rocks

Comments

1601244684 May 06, 2012
vodka neat please! 1

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