It’s that time of year when the lure of hanging out with old friends becomes hard to ignore. “Just one drink to catch up can’t hurt,” you say to yourself as you slip out the door.
Raucous, brilliant eloquence then ensues. And just like that, you’re not so sober. It’s last call, and you want one more, for old times’ sake. But unbeknownst to you, the bartender doesn’t think you’ve been your most charming self. In fact, she thinks you’ve been a little pushy. But the bartender’s got a trick (or two up her sleeve). St. Louis-based Chelsey Starr (@chelsey_starr) is sharing one of her favorites.
In a TikTok that’s racked up 438,900 hits, Starr is spilling her secret technique.
What Happens When 1 More Is 1 Too Many
“Hey, I’m a server-bartender,” Starr says, establishing her credentials. “One of the things I do when someone is getting a little violent about getting cut off, I say, ‘Fine, one more. And I get to choose.'”
“Cherry Bomb,” she deadpans.
Then, she gasps, holding her hand against her stomach, mimicking a scandalized audience member asks, “Chelsey, why would you do that? That’s alcohol.”
Her answer is simple: “Because I don’t put the alcohol in it.”
Instead, she says she mixes up a concoction of Red Bull and cherry grenadine.
“Sober up, little buddy,” she quips.
Other Suggestions
The party might be over for some folks, but it continues in the user comments. Bartenders offered their own suggestions for how to get customers to sober up. Many seem to focus on one thing: hydration.
“I often challenge them to a water-chugging contest. If they can down their water before I can, they can have another drink. I haven’t lost yet and it gets some water in their system,” wrote @angelbailey805.
“My dad’s favorite bartender is a friend of mine. I told him after he starts hitting a certain decibel, just start giving him regular Cokes, he won’t notice. Still hasn’t. Always complains he loses his buzz at the bar after a while. I wonder why bro,” another user said.
What’s A Cherry Bomb?
Little internet research shows that there are many different versions of a Cherry Bomb. There’s one that The Jolly Bartender calls, “the original recipe,” which includes rye whiskey, vermouth, and no cherry grenadine (but Luxardo cherries).
Another calls for cherry schnapps and Red Bull. A different option calls for rum and lime in addition to the grenadine and cherries.
Happy Holidays And The Urge To Over-Imbibe
One reason, Psychology Today notes, people may drink more around this time of year has to do with social pressure. For others, the stress of the season can take a toll, and difficult situations can be eased with a glass—or three—of wine.
The numbers support the claim that drinking spikes during the winter season. That same article notes a quarter of the distilled spirits industry’s profits come in during the month between Thanksgiving and the New Year.
So if you’re looking to have a little spirited fun while staying in the good graces of your bartender, the site Drink Boston has a few tips. Among them, be considerate, tip well, and manage your expectations.
Because though the bartender might be having fun, too, it’s still a job. And nobody wants to be the person who secretly gets cut off because they don’t know how to act in public.
BroBible reached out to Starr via TikTok direct message. We’ll update this article if she gets back to us.
@chelsey_starr Bartender hack 👏🏼 #server #bartender #storytime #lifehack #serverlife