FOOD NEWS
What It Means To Ask For A Drink 'Up'
BY CHLOE O'DONNELL
For those who want to order a drink from the bar properly, understanding bar lingo can help ensure that your drink turns out exactly how you want it, including the term "up."
Bartender shaking a drink
Bartender shaking a drink
"On the rocks" means it will come with ice, "neat" means it’s served at room temperature, while "up" is a drink first shaken or stirred with ice and then strained into your glass.
Ordering a drink "up" allows you a cool sipping experience without worrying about ice clinking against your teeth or melting and diluting your beverage.
"Up" is reserved for drinks that are just liquor, such as whiskey or vodka. Cocktails and mixed drinks like Manhattans and martinis are ordered "straight up."
This phrase also differs from "straight," which is sometimes said instead of "neat." All of this is just the tip of the iceberg regarding bar terminology.