Via iStockphoto / @romanryliee TikTok
A bartender says many customers don't know what they are ordering. He uses the example of a man who asked for an old fashioned with vermouth.
They say that the customer is always right. But for this frustrated bartender, there are times where the customer is objectively wrong.
Sitting in the car, Roman Vass (@romanryliee) shares his thoughts in a TikTok that has garnered 417,300 views. As text saying, “People don’t know what they’re ordering at bars” flashes on the screen, Vass repeats, “People don’t know what they’re ordering. People have no clue what they’re ordering.”
His first example is when a customer asked for an old fashioned. As well as asking for the cheapest whiskey, the man complained that the bartender forgot the sweet vermouth. In response, Vass says he asked if the man wanted a Manhattan instead. But the customer insisted he wanted an old fashioned, Vass says.
BroBible reached out to the TikToker via Instagram direct message.
Do You Know What’s In An Old Fashioned, A Martini?
A second ordered martini. As expected, Vass says he put it in the martini glass. He was taken aback when the customer asked whether it was a shot. They pointed to another person drinking a Tito soda, complaining that their drink was bigger.
“Are you 4?” he says to the camera. “Are you 4 years old? You have 3 ounces of straight liquor in there.”
He says he explained to them that the other customer had ordered something different. In reply, the customer said they didn’t realize it was a small drink, per Vass.
Mocking their voice and repeating to ask if they are 4, he says, “You disgust me.”
He adds, “I will gladly pour your martini into a tall glass and top it up with club soda. I’m sure that’s gonna taste amazing.”
In the end, he concludes, “People just don’t know what they’re ordering. People will have no idea, and …some people think they do. And they ask you for sweet vermouth in their old fashioned.”
Bartenders Share Wild Drink Orders
In the comments, fellow bartenders shared their stories. One recounted a conversation they had with a customer. “My fave is ‘martini no vermouth’…okay…so a chilled glass of gin…?” they wrote. “NO [eye-roll emoji] VODKA. Okay. Other great one I got once was written down because she had ‘invented’ this delicious cocktail and named it a Tequila Gwendolina after herself. She was worried I’d forget how to make it.”
“Had a lady order a virgin blackberry martini,” a second shared. “Our store recipe is blackberry syrup and cranberry juice and vodka. So she got charged almost $11 for 3 ounces of cranberry juice and an ounce of blackberry syrup…”
A third added, “I once had a woman order an extra dirty martini…then complain that it tasted like olives….”
And a fourth recounted, “Had a guy the other day try to order a dirty vodka martini with Hendricks, which is a gin. I told him that, and he was like, ‘No, I want a vodka martini with Hendricks, just do your job kid.’ Legit didn’t know what to say to that.”
What’s In An Old Fashioned? And How Does It Differ From A Manhattan?
According to Nio Cocktails, Old Fashioned drinks were first made in the 1800s. They were often considered to be a great hangover cure and were called whiskey cocktails.
Old fashioned cocktails have three fundamental ingredients: whiskey, sugar, and Angostura bitters. They are usually topped with ice and served in a lowball cocktail glass. Nio Cocktails recommends adding an orange twist, lemon slice, or maraschino cherries in order to enhance the flavor.
The main difference between the old fashioned and Manhattan is that the latter swaps sugar out for sweet vermouth. Apart from that, they pretty much have the same ingredients. Manhattans are also served mixed with ice and strained in a classic coupe glass.
Why Are Martinis Served In Those Glasses?
As SipSmith points out, there are a number of reasons why martinis are served in those very specific glasses. The reason that the stem is so long is so that when you hold the drink, it isn’t warmed up.
Additionally, the glass itself is wide to expose the gin to the air more. By doing this, the gin is essentially “opened up” and is more flavorful. Meanwhile, as for the sloping sides, this helps prevent the ingredients from getting separated.