proper way to order and drink cocktails? please read details?

Question

turning 21 in a few days... and im not much of a drinker. i need a few tips.

ive been out at restaurants before and overheard people order margaritas... and the waitress will ask something about house tequilla... and this one time i heard the person reply no, 1800. im just curious... will i be asked what kind of tequilla i want? how many different kinds are there?

will they ask what kind of vodka i want in a martini too? what does it mean when a martini is dirty? can i get it without the olives/onion?

if i ask for a jack and coke... what will they bring me exactly?

and whats the "proper" way to hold a cocktail and drink it? does it really matter?

any other help will be much appreciated!

thank you so much!

Answer 1

First, if you're not much of drinker, you probably won't want to start with Jack and Coke or traditional martinis. They're both pretty stout and take some time to appreciate.

Margaritas are a good start, and no, you don't want the house tequila. The difference in basic and premium tequila can mean the difference in a bad hangover or none whatsoever. Ask your server about the tequila offerings. Buy something at or above the middle in quality. Another shortcut is to order a "Top Shelf" Margarita. It's more flavorful and made with better quality liquor.

A Jack and Coke is Jack Daniels whiskey and Coke. A dirty Martini is usually vodka with olives and juice from the olive jar. There are many other kinds of martinis available, especially because they are so popular these days.

If I were you, I would go to a restaurant or bar with a good drink menu, and spend some time talking to the bartender. They are the best sources of when trying to find drinks you'll enjoy.

Have a great time and don't forget: "Liquor before beer, you're in the clear. Beer before liquor will make you sicker". Same goes for Wine and Ales -- they're the same as beer in this case.

Answer 2

When you go to a bar/restaurant, just tell the person serving you that you just turned 21 and you're not sure. Ask them what they recommend, normally they are more than willing to help you, especially if you tip well. (do tip well please)

A dirty martini is a martini with some olive juice in it. A gibson is a martini with a small onion. If you don't want the olive, just tell 'em so. If you're not a big drinker you might not like a gibson or a martini 'cause they are strong, although vodka martinis are better than gin martinis.

A jack and coke is just that: jack daniels and coke. Get a margarita with the house tequila...expensive tequila is wasted on a marg.

As for holding/drinking cocktails, watch those around you. Margaritas (or any drink with a seasoning on the brim) you should rotate the glass when you take a sip so that you get a bit of salt in your mouth each time.

Answer 3

If you don't specify a brand of spirit, most places will use a well-known brand as the 'house brand' for that particular bar or restaurant. Some places want to make the most profit and serve an expensive one, others serve a cheap brand. You can ask for a different sort if you know one or ask which ones are available.

You can ask for a drink without olives/onions. Bartenders/waitresses will get you what you want.

A Jack and Coke is a Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey plus Coca-Cola (see link).

For cocktails, you normally hold the glass by the stem, but don't worry about it.

A dirty martini is a martini that has been made dirty by having some of the brine (salt-water, turned black by the olives) from the jar of olives in it.

Here's a link to a 'dirty martini' recipe with comments from people.

Answer 4

OK, I'm going to start at the bottom and work my way up :) If you order a Jack and coke you will get exactly that... a glass of Coke with a shot of Jack Daniels in it. Usually if you order a vodka martini it will be made with the "house" (cheaper) vodka unless you tell them otherwise. A dirty martini has a little bit of the olive brine in it giving it a cloudy appearance, hence the "dirty"... usually they're clear and again you won't get a dirty martini unless you ask for it, and you can absolutely order it without any olives... a Gibson has cocktail onions in it and personal opinion, they're very gross... don't order one :)

Now for the margarita... this will again be made with the house liquors unless you specify otherwise. 1800 is a "top shelf" liquor... more expensive and i have never really been able to tell the difference.

I would recommend ordering your drinks with the house liquors. Like i said, top shelf just pushes up the price of your drinks and the difference isn't noticeable unless you're a professional taster. i would also recommend not starting out with a vodka martini... it is essentially a very cold glass of vodka with just a hint of vermouth... I've never really liked them. start with something fruity... sex on the beach, vodka and cranberry juice, Mellon balls... all very good! Good luck and Happy Birthday!!!!

Answer 5

I'm a bartender in a fancy hotel. The advice you got so far was good. It is an important thing to order right so you've got the right idea by asking. My advice: Don't order 'foo foo' cocktails. It makes you look like a kid. A margarita is fine, a strawberry margarita is only for poolside or Mexican restaurants. Same with a Pina Colada or a Mai Tai. You can order your mixed drinks tall.
That way you get more mixer and they'll be more palatable for you. Try a vodka tonic or a Captain and Coke. Not too nasty. Same with a 7 and 7. Try different things and see what you like. Don't drink too much either. It's an enjoyable thing but when done to excess you're asking for all kinds of trouble.

Answer 6

1) there are hundreds of different brands and types of tequilla. the best way to approach it is to ask what is available, and pick a different one each time until you find one you prefer.
2) depending on the bar, if you do not specify the type of vodka you want in the martini, they will give you the "well" vodka, meaning the cheapest. however, not all martinis consist of vodka. gin is another popular spirit to have in a martini. you can order them any way you want (10 olives, no olives, whatever)
3) if you order a jack and coke, you will get one shot of jack daniels whiskey and coca-cola mixed together. it is better to order a double and save money
4) the proper way to hold a cocktail is with your pinky finger up in the air, with the glass at your lips
5)find "open bar" nights in your area and drink heavily for very little money

Answer 7

Some people like special kinds of spirits.
There are thousands of different brands out there.
But the house stuff usually means the cocktail is priced on the modertate price side ask for something special the price goes higher.
Jack Daniels is a whiskey so your asking for whiskey and coke.
Dirty martini is gin, vermouth and olive brine so if you don't want an olive dont' order it.
I like a Tom Collins it is gin with collins mix on the sweet side.
Whatever way feels comfortable each glass is different but most you hold like you would any other drink.

Answer 8

Margarita-
Lime
frozen with salt

sip slowly.