A Houston bartender posted a TikTok sharing the three main red flags among customers. The video sparked controversy in the comments, highlighting a common disconnect between bartenders and customers.
On June 23, a woman (@boosboozemobilebar) posted the controversial TikTok, which has amassed 46,500 views as of Wednesday. “Three bar order red flags,” she said at the top of the video.
Red Flag #1: Rumple Minze
The first red flag, which she calls the worst one, was a harsh criticism of Rumple Minze.
“I had a dude come up to the bar and order a Mexican candy [shot] but not tequila…with Rumple Minze,” she said. “I literally said you need to go to jail.”
Rumple Minze is a polarizing spirit that is 50% alcohol, with an intense peppermint flavor. While the niche ingredient might be enjoyed in a novelty cocktail, it is not seen as being very versatile. Unsurprisingly, a bartender might look down on the ingredient, especially when made as a substitute in place of tequila in a Mexican candy shot, which would likely overwhelm the intended flavor of that recipe.
Red Flag #2: Extra Shaken Martini
The next red flag she lists is ordering an extra shaken martini. “Get out of here,” she said. “There ain’t no such thing.”
“You just want watered-down liquor, she added. “Just ask for it with water or something.”
The bartender’s criticism of an extra shaken martini stems from a widely accepted cocktail principle that shaking a spirit-forward drink longer introduces more dilution and aeration. Traditional martinis are typically stirred to keep the drink silky, clear, and minimally diluted. Shaking produces a colder but cloudier cocktail with more water incorporated into the finished drink.
That said, ordering an extra-shaken martini is not technically incorrect. Some guests simply prefer a colder, softer drink.
Red Flag #3: Crown Royal Old-Fashioned
The last red flag the bartender listed is ordering a Crown Royal old-fashioned.
She went on to additionally criticize customers who ordered old-fashioneds with Jack Daniel’s or Jameson as well.
Traditionally, an old-fashioned is made with bourbon or rye whiskey. Many cocktail purists argue that the whiskeys she listed produce a noticeably different profile that strays from the classic recipe.
Viewers Shared Other Controversial Bar Orders
In the comments section, several viewers shared their own experiences with odd requests they’d heard others place.
“Thoughts on this: I was at an airport bar and a guy a couple of seats down ordered a Hennessy and Red Bull,” a user stated.
“I learned that in some parts of Texas a popular shot is half rumple half tequila,” one wrote. “It’s as good as you expect [barf emoji].”
Another shared, “I was at a bar one day and the guy next to me ordered a Toronto cocktail. I was curious, so I asked him about it. He told me & I moved to another seat, cuz that ain’t right.”
Why Might A Bartender Have Such Controversial Opinions?
Bartenders spend years learning classic recipes and developing techniques that might lead to strong opinions about what makes proper cocktails. In addition to on-the-job training, many bartenders also pursue certifications or continuing education through organizations such as the United States Bartenders’ Guild.
@boosboozemobilebar If any of these are you… I’m not sorry :/ #mobilebar #mobilebartender #privatebartender #bartender #houstonbartender
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BroBible reached out to @boosboozemobilebar for comment.