If you’ve ever worked behind a bar you’ll know there are some drinks which are more tricky to make than others.
While this is fine during a quieter period, or perhaps in a more upmarket cocktail bar which has a more relaxed atmosphere, when it’s packed on a Saturday night they can be a pain.
The first thing to note would be to order a drink which is appropriate to the bar you’re visiting.
Beer is always a safe choice (skynesher / Getty)
If you walk into a dive bar and order a Manhattan or Whisky Sour, don’t be surprised if you get your ear chewed off.
Likewise, going into a fancy cocktail bar and spending the whole night drinking boilermakers would be a waste of the skills of the bar staff there.
Before we get into the list, as an ex-bartender it would be remiss of me not to give an honourable mention to the Old Fashioned. No-one wants to have to spend five minutes stirring one drink during a rush.
And if you want a Guinness, order it first, not last.
Right, let’s get into it.
One at a damn time! (John Rensten / Getty)
Personalised drinks
This really should go without saying. Asking for a simple modification on a drink due to a preference or an allergy is obviously fine, but making up your own drink is definitely not and the bartender will almost definitely say no.
For example: An Amaretto Sour with no egg white or Manhattan with rum instead of whisky – fine; listing a full ingredients list – not fine.
Long Island Iced Tea
Let’s be real, you’re only drinking a Long Island Iced Tea for one reason – you’re here for a good time not a long time.
These contain a ridiculous number of ingredients and basically involve dumping all the spirits in a glass with some Coke.
Jamie Robinson, a assistant food and beverage manager at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, pointed out: “You’re likely only going to order one or two unless you plan on ending up on the floor at some point during the evening.”
This also applies to all Tiki cocktails.
Caffeinated cocktails
The Espresso Martini, famously invented when someone asked for a drink to ‘wake me up and f*ck me up’ (Costi Moculescu / 500px / Getty)
These may be a good, and legal, way to keep your energy levels up on a big night out, but they are a bartender’s bane.
Vinny Spatafore, bartender and beverage operations manager at Blue Bridge Hospitality, explained: “The strong, lingering espresso smell means bartenders have to wash the shaker extra carefully, which can be time-consuming.”
Layered shots
They look cool, sure, but they’re a nightmare to pour properly which is even worse when you’re very busy.
Sunshine Foss, founder and CEO of boutique liquor store Happy Cork, said: “Bartenders are already under pressure to serve drinks quickly, ordering layered shots just doesn’t make sense for anyone.”
Plus, for something that’s gone in a moment, some might say they’re a little obnoxious, though that’s their opinion.
Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary – for the bloody-minded (Cavan Images / Getty)
Bloody Marys are for the morning after, not the night before. That’s it. That’s the section.
A drink with egg whites
Egg whites are used in cocktails like a Whisky Sour or Clover Club to impart foam and a silky smooth mouthfeel to a cocktail.
But getting that foam up on a drink takes time. These drinks often use a ‘dry shake’, meaning without ice, to get things foamed up before the ice is added.
That means they take longer to do.
Spicy Margarita
This one might be a bit of an odd inclusion, as margs aren’t too difficult to smash out quickly.
But if you want something a bit more Instagram-worthy, executive bartender at Taste My Aruba Zulay Duran thinks this is one to avoid.
She said: “This is a specialised drink that takes careful execution, which isn’t feasible for most bartenders on a busy night.”
Piña Colada
Piña Coladas require a blender so are best avoided (chas53 / Getty)
If you’re not on a beach in the sunshine, why are you drinking a Piña Colada?
But the main thing is that this drink needs to have its ingredients including rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice blended up.
Beverage expert at Ten Rooms Zach Pace said: “Please don’t make the bartender fire up a blender in the middle of a crazy service.”
White Russian
The main reason for not ordering it is its main ingredient of heavy cream, which not many bars will stock.
Mojito
WE’RE OUT OF MINT.
So there you have it, some drinks you should avoid ordering in a busy bar.
Of course, the most important thing is to always be courteous and polite to the people serving you.
After all, at the end of the day they’re there to help you have a good time.
And, of course, always drink responsibly.