Arizona Bartender Calls Out Customer Who Ordered A Martini—But Doesn’t Really Know What A Martini Is: ‘People Are Just Calling Anything A Martini These Days

Cocktails have evolved, with bartenders and customers alike putting their own spin on classic drinks.

According to one Arizona bartender, this can make a simple drink order complicated.

In a recent video that has garnered over 695,000 views and more than 800 comments, TikTok creator and bartender Elizabeth Thorne (@elizabeththorne) shared a story about a customer who ordered a martini but didn’t seem to know what that meant.

What Kind Of Martini Did The Customer Want?

“POV// YOU ORDER A MARTINI & GET MAD THAT IT CAME OUT AS A MARTINI,” she wrote in the video’s text overlay.

Thorne says the customer initially approached her asking for a raspberry martini with Tito’s Vodka.

“We don’t have raspberry Tito’s,” she recounts responding. “We don’t have raspberry flavoring.”

She offered an alternative. “Best I can do is a shot of our Three Olives Raspberry Vodka, a shot of Tito’s, mix it together, shake her up, put it in a martini glass,” she says.

The customer isn’t convinced she’ll like it but gives Thorne the go-ahead to make the drink, asking that it be served in a plastic cup instead of a martini glass.

Thorne says she brought out the plastic cup, which contained only a small amount of liquid. “She’s like, ‘What is this?’” Thorne says.

The bartender responds, “That’s your raspberry martini.”

The customer then asked, “Where’s the ice?”

Thorne explains to her that the ice isn’t inherently included. “Martinis don’t come with ice unless you say, ‘Martini on the rocks,’” she says.

“I don’t understand why there’s no ice,” the customer repeated.

Even after the back-and-forth, Thorne says the woman still ended up disliking her drink.

“Martinis are always a problem I swear,” she added in the video’s caption.

How Is A Classic Martini Made?

The classic martini is a simple mix of very cold, high-quality gin or vodka with vermouth, typically served alongside a lemon peel or olives, according to one’s preference.

However, there are many variations of the cocktail. For example, adding olive brine makes it a dirty martini, and adding a pickled onion makes it a Gibson.

As Thorne explained, a classic martini isn’t served over ice. If it’s served with ice, it’s typically poured into a regular glass and ordered “on the rocks.”

There are also fruity variations that steer further away from the classics, such as the raspberry martini. This drink usually has a vodka base, raspberry syrup, and lemon juice and is served in a martini glass.

Still, it’s important to note that there isn’t a single standard version of the drink. Some recipes use syrup, others use fresh fruit, and some call for a different base spirit altogether. Because of that variation, bartenders often have to clarify exactly what a customer means before making the drink.

Commenters Share Their Thoughts

In the comments section, some bartenders shared experiences of their own. Other viewers questioned the order.

“I once made an espresso martini for a lady and she sent it back because it had a ‘really strong coffee flavor,’” shared one commenter. “Like lady, it’s coffee, coffee liqueur, and a flavorless liquor!”

“I swear customers be like, can I get it shaken straight up on the rocks no ice stirred and make it neat,” another joked.

“Im seeing this while getting ready for my shift, you’re convincing me to call out,” wrote a third.

A commenter asked an important question. “Is raspberry Tito’s even a thing?!” Thorne responded, “Not that I know of hahaha.”

Tito’s Handmade Vodka does not currently offer a raspberry-flavored vodka, though the brand has shared recipes for raspberry-infused vodka made using its corn-based spirit.

Etiquette For Ordering Custom Drinks

Since a raspberry martini isn’t a classic cocktail, it can require some back and forth with your bartender.

According to a post on the subreddit r/bartenders, they don’t necessarily get irritated by customers who place unique orders. Rather, it depends on the situation.

If it’s a slow night at a higher-end bar, for example, one bartender says it’s usually fine to ask for something custom. But if it’s a high-volume bar where customers are waiting in line, it’s probably not the best time to experiment.

In those cases, most said it’s better to choose something you know you’ll like from the menu, as you’re less likely to run into issues with your order.

BroBible has reached out to Thorne via Instagram messages for comment.