Essential terminology you'll hear frequently when working in a licensed establishment.
14 Same as a 7&7.
86 (1) Item is out of stock, or (2) Customer has been cutoff. Example: Bartender or manager says, "That guy has been 86'ed." This means the customer should not be served anymore alcohol. It may also mean that a customer has been barred from the establishment.
Against the Wall Pour 1/2 oz. of Galliano on top of the drink. Example: Customer says, "Give me a Vodka and Soda Against the Wall." This means prepare the drink as usual, then top with 1/2 oz. Galliano.
Back Either (1) short for Bar Back — a person who assists the bartender with stocking liquors, beer, ice etc., a "gopher," or (2) a mix served in a separate glass. Example: Customer says, "Give me a Dewar's on the rocks with a soda back." This means a Dewar's served in a rocks glass over ice and a separate glass with ice and soda.
Bruise / Bruised A "Straight Up" Martini that is shaken instead of stirred.
Chaser Similar to Back #2. Example: Customer says, "Give me a Whiskey on the rocks with a beer chaser." This means serve the drink as usual and also serve a glass of beer.
Ditch A drink with a water mix. Example: Customer says, "Give me a CC Ditch." This means Canadian Club and Water.
Double A drink with double the amount of liquor. Example: Customer says, "Give me a double Rum and Coke." This means put double the amount of rum into the drink with the normal amount of Coke. Note: This may also require you to increase the size of the glass.
Float Same as Top.
Frappe' A liquor or liqueur poured over crushed ice, usually in a cocktail glass.
Frozen A drink blended with crushed ice so as to be slushy. Example: Customer says, "Give me a frozen Daiquiri." This means to add the normal ingredients to a blender with crushed ice, blend and serve in an appropriate glass.
Lace Same as Top.
Long Served in a tall (Collins) glass. Example: Customer says, "Give me a Long Rum and Coke (or a Rum and Coke Long)." This means prepare the drink in a tall glass, but pour the regular amount of rum.
Mexican (or Mex) Style Pour 1/2 oz. of Tequila on top of the drink. Example: Customer says, "Give me a Slow Screw Mexican Style." This means prepare the drink as usual, and then top with 1/2 oz. Tequila.
Mist Same as Frappe', but served in a rocks glass.
Multiple Pour 1/2 oz. of Frangelico on top of the drink. Example: Customer says, "Give me a Multiple Black Russian." This means prepare the drink as usual, and then top with 1/2 oz. Frangelico liqueur.
Neat Served in a rocks glass at room temperature without ice. Example: Customer says, "Give me a Scotch neat." This means pour the liquor into a rocks glass and serve.
On the Rocks A drink served over cubed ice.
On the Side Same as Chaser.
Over Same as On The Rocks.
Press (1) Nickname for a Presbyterian, or (2) the combination of half Soda and half Ginger ale.
Screaming Pour 1/2 oz. of Vodka on top of the drink. Example: Customer says, "Give me a Screaming Fuzzy Navel." This means prepare the drink as usual, and then top with 1/2 oz. of Vodka.
Short A drink served in a rocks glass. Example: Customer says, "Give me a Short Screwdriver (or a Screwdriver Short)." This means serve the screwdriver in a rocks or small bucket glass.
Splash Top with 1/2 oz. of mix. Example: Customer says, "Give me a Whiskey on the rocks with a splash of 7-up." This means make the drink as usual, then add about 1/2 oz. of 7-up on top. Note: "Splash" by itself refers to water.
Squeeze A piece of lime that is "squeezed" over a drink, then dropped into it.
Straight Up Chilled first, then served without ice. Example: Customer says, "Give me a Martini Straight Up." This means chill all the ingredients in a mixing cup, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Sweet (1) Add 1/2 oz. of simple syrup to a drink. Example: Customer says "Give me a Gin and Tonic Sweet." This means to add 1/2 oz. simple syrup (or 1/2 teaspoon of sugar) before adding the mix, Tonic in this example, or (2) Add extra 1/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth to a Manhattan.
Tall Same as Long.
Top Pour 1/2 oz. of requested ingredient on top of the drink. Example: Drink recipe reads, "Top with Grenadine." This means that the last ingredient is Grenadine and it is not mixed into the drink.
Topless A Margarita without the salted rim.
Touch Same as Splash.
Twist The peel of a lemon is "twisted" over the drink, and then dropped into it.
Unleaded See Virgin.
Up Same as Straight Up.
Virgin A drink made without alcohol. Example: Customer says, "Give me a Virgin Mary." This means the customer wants a Bloody Mary without the Vodka.
Wet Use more of the mix. Example: Customer says, "Give me a wet Scotch and Soda." This means use slightly less Scotch than normal and slightly more soda.
With a Little English Pour 1/2 oz. of Gin on top of the drink. Example: Customer says, "Give me a Rum and Coke with a little English." This means prepare the drink as usual, and then top with 1/2 oz. Gin.
With a Squeeze Same as Squeeze.
With a Twist Same as Twist.