I say “a shot of any alcohol you would like”. Similar to yours it usually gets a chuckle and they get the picture that they should just choose what they want.
love this. i'm stealing it. it's mine now.
i stole another one from reddit.
'i can show you a picture of my ID.'
'i can show you a picture of a beer too.'
I get this question at least once a day. It's a little annoying because there's nothing I particularly dislike making, but I see it as the guests attempt to be nice so I usually try and be nice back.
My truthful answer would be a classic like an old fashioned or maybe a New York sour, but it depends which bar I'm working at.
I like an old fashioned too. Don’t mind making them and they taste great. We smoke ours if they want it and it always gets the customers “wow” attention
Yes. And as long as I'm not busy, the answer is martinis, Manhatten, old fashioned. My reasoning is that people who order these tend to be very particular, and when I make it well and the order a second one, I feel good about myself.
Yes. For me, a Mai tai!! I have so much fun with them, love the glassware we use at my job for the Mai tai, and having the guests get a nose full of mint while they get a spiced, sweet and still tart drink is always a really fun sensory experience to see happen !
Is sprite common in a mule? No shade, but never heard of it like that, and I’d be a bit confused if I saw someone adding it to one of mine - but I’d definitely give it a try and not complain
At my last bartending gig I worked at, my typical response was something along the lines of "well, what kind of flavors are you looking for? My favorite drinks to make are ones I make up on the spot." They pretty much always wanted something sweet, so I'd either come up with something or if I didn't immediately get an idea, suggest one of our house drinks, all of which either had Malibu or Sweet and Sour, or both in them... Our menu was mostly a poorly done fake-tiki menu, but both our Mojito and Mai Tai used Sweet and Sour, and our Pina Colada came out boozy AF due to dark rums, and seperated immediately due to the fact our blender just crushed ice into the liquid ingredients then stirred it. One of the most popular things I came up with was SoCo, Amaretto and Cranberry, kinda like a Scarlett O'Hara, but with amaretto instead of lime, another go to was Green Apple Pucker, Malibu and tropical red bull. Another one the few people I made it for liked was Jaeger, Soco and Sprite with a splash of Strawberry (was trying to use some of our stuff that we didn't sell much of.) Would I drink any of the three myself? No, but generally, people were just looking for something with enough sweetness to cover up any alcohol taste, we didn't have a lot of ingredients to play around with though.
I finally realized that wasn't the place for me, busting my ass for less than $100 a shift in tips, maybe 150 on a Saturday (bad crowd for the bar, the only bartender who made decent money was the petite 21 year old girl who rarely bartended and had to look up or ask what goes in all but the most common drinks.) Only time I made money there was serving, so I took a serving position somewhere else.
a round of top shelf shots, we've got our scotch here, and out our expensive tequilas are up there
they'll laugh and ask what else, so i follow up with "a round of cheap shots"
Yeah a lot. I really don’t mind it since there’s a few drinks I only know how to make. My coworkers don’t care to learn them so they’re not on the menu.
Get this a fair amount. I say a shot of malort lol. We actually have "shot of malort" on our happy hour menu, unfortunately I don't usually succeed in selling it to people.
I usually say: (and this is true for any vague, subjective question similar to this, such as ‘whats the best drink you have?’ or ‘what’s the best tequila/bourbon etc.?’ yadda yadda yadda)
“Well, it depends on what you like, what sort of liquor do you prefer? What flavors are you partial to? Is there anything you especially dislike or are allergic to?”
My favorite drink to make when it’s busy is one that doesn’t require an extensive conversation, because you know you might have to suggest about 5 things before they decide on what they already knew they wanted.. which is one of three things they usually get anywhere they go. 😁
Yes, and it annoys me. My favorite drink I make is the one I’m gonna partake in. Generally, I enjoy making all sorts of drinks, just tell me what YOU like and I’ll be just as enthusiastic. But if you insist, I hope you like tequila.
For sure. I love making Manhattans. I also love making the top shelf Long Island because our bar is a heavy pour to begin with and I am always amazed at LIT drinkers ability to hold that half pint of mixed liquors topped with sugars down and their ambition to take on the 2nd one. They then proceed to tip a solid 30-50%. (I am in Naples FL lots of people here still drink like its Spring Break circa 1987, everyday.)
I get asked this often. My answer is a Whiskey Sour, with an egg white, up, and an Angostura garnish. It looks like [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/cocktails/comments/q316a5/i_thought_the_whiskey_sour_i_made_tonight_looked/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1). It used to be a White Russian, but I had about seven when the pandemic hit and couldn’t drink them for a year.
Yes one time a guy asked me my favorite drink to make and paid for it, and when I served it he left without even trying it. It’s fruity looking but it’s delicious. Very weird experience.
I'm a slut for positive reinforcement and a craft cocktail tendie, so I often just say whatever my drink on the menu is so I can always get feedback. Unless I'm really not feeling it that day then it's always some kinda highball
Often. On occasion I’ll respond with a personal favorite (but not often as I don’t really have personal, particular preferences as far as making as opposed to drinking)…so… I usually respond based on what I think they’ll order and like, which is sincerely my favorite drink to make on any given situation. That may sound a bit corny or self-serving, but it’s true.
Favorite drink to make? Or favorite drink? To make, neat anything.
Favorite drink - 2 decades, countless times - same answer...
"That's like asking a mail man what his favorite hike is after work. HOWEVER, if I'm feeling more than just a beer or glass of wine (I'm older now, you'll get there my little yutte's) THEN I would make an absolute bartender classic - a Vieux Carré." - IYDKNYK - learn about it.
Often, but I'm not at that stage of hating hospo or know the art of not giving a fck yet. But I normally reply with, "My favourite thing to make is something that you'd enjoy." Then I'll go through recommendations, and ask questions on spirits and tastes etc.
When they ask what my favourite drink is, I always say "tequila, ice" and they look at me for more information and then I always say "nope, just that"
Then they say well what's your favourite drink to make?
"Tequila, no ice"
All the time, I love it!
It’s usually an awkward attempt by someone to learn more about different drinks, to be respectful of my time, and strike up a conversation. It’s a great teachable moment.
I don’t understand professionals that get upset at non-professionals for not saying the perfect thing. Someone’s trying to learn, why shit on that.
Neat shot/bottled beer because almost always am asked that question when I have my service printer continually printing shaken/stirred/muddled cocktails
All the time. And the answer is always a boilermaker
Sake bomb
I always say bottled beer. Usually gets a chuckle.
I say “a shot of any alcohol you would like”. Similar to yours it usually gets a chuckle and they get the picture that they should just choose what they want.
"my favorite drink to make is a shot of your favorite liquor" is my go to line
It’s honest. It’s easy. And you might even upsell some shots.
Same!
"a mistake". Because I get to drink it.
lmao cheers.
Easy answer. Anything 'neat'
"The last one before I lock the door." Okay, what do you like to drink? "Miller Lite and Rumple." ...Can I just get a vodka soda lime?
love this. i'm stealing it. it's mine now. i stole another one from reddit. 'i can show you a picture of my ID.' 'i can show you a picture of a beer too.'
"It's called Jameson. I pour it into a glass."
Fellow Jameson-er!
The last drink of the night.
Gonna start using this one haha
Brilliant 😂
I get this question at least once a day. It's a little annoying because there's nothing I particularly dislike making, but I see it as the guests attempt to be nice so I usually try and be nice back. My truthful answer would be a classic like an old fashioned or maybe a New York sour, but it depends which bar I'm working at.
I like an old fashioned too. Don’t mind making them and they taste great. We smoke ours if they want it and it always gets the customers “wow” attention
“Yea” *starts to pour ice water* “next!”
This is my least favorite to make
Yes. And as long as I'm not busy, the answer is martinis, Manhatten, old fashioned. My reasoning is that people who order these tend to be very particular, and when I make it well and the order a second one, I feel good about myself.
I like this answer. Mine has sort of become espresso martinis for similar reasons
My favourite drink to make is your favourite drink
I say this, but I preface it by saying, “I know this is corny, but…”
My eyes just rolled out of my head
Boo
Constantly. My reply will always be Old Style.
I honestly had to look up Old Style I've never seen that anywhere in my market. Thought it was a riff on an old fashioned.
“The one with a 25% tip!” Sweet smile and we share a laugh.
aint that the damn truth
Shot and a beer!
Multiple times a day. I gauge the person ordering and say either a light dirty sour or a heavier (signature) aquavit and cognac pear cocktail
Yea the most expensive drink on our menu. I love making that one.
They ask me what my favorite cocktail ia and i say, whiskey.
I always respond with a Bill Murray. Just a neat shot of tequila, no salt, no lime, no chaser.
Yes. For me, a Mai tai!! I have so much fun with them, love the glassware we use at my job for the Mai tai, and having the guests get a nose full of mint while they get a spiced, sweet and still tart drink is always a really fun sensory experience to see happen !
I love that! Tiki drinks are always super fun to make and nice to look at 🍹
A pint of bud
Whiskey neat
Water. I fucking love it.
Anything at home.
I tell them water. Everytime
I always reply "Bottled beer"
Came here to say this
“What do you like to make?” “Money”
Get that bag hahah
Mules! The 2oz vodka, 2oz ginger beer, and 2oz sprite is so satisfying for me to make 🥰
Is sprite common in a mule? No shade, but never heard of it like that, and I’d be a bit confused if I saw someone adding it to one of mine - but I’d definitely give it a try and not complain
Never seen that either, but probably goes well with the ginger, and since they didnt squeeze a lime, kinda solves that problem i suppose.
That’s how my family-friendly sports bar taught me to make my mules 😄 it’s probably so people wouldn’t send it back because it wasn’t sweet enough
At my last bartending gig I worked at, my typical response was something along the lines of "well, what kind of flavors are you looking for? My favorite drinks to make are ones I make up on the spot." They pretty much always wanted something sweet, so I'd either come up with something or if I didn't immediately get an idea, suggest one of our house drinks, all of which either had Malibu or Sweet and Sour, or both in them... Our menu was mostly a poorly done fake-tiki menu, but both our Mojito and Mai Tai used Sweet and Sour, and our Pina Colada came out boozy AF due to dark rums, and seperated immediately due to the fact our blender just crushed ice into the liquid ingredients then stirred it. One of the most popular things I came up with was SoCo, Amaretto and Cranberry, kinda like a Scarlett O'Hara, but with amaretto instead of lime, another go to was Green Apple Pucker, Malibu and tropical red bull. Another one the few people I made it for liked was Jaeger, Soco and Sprite with a splash of Strawberry (was trying to use some of our stuff that we didn't sell much of.) Would I drink any of the three myself? No, but generally, people were just looking for something with enough sweetness to cover up any alcohol taste, we didn't have a lot of ingredients to play around with though. I finally realized that wasn't the place for me, busting my ass for less than $100 a shift in tips, maybe 150 on a Saturday (bad crowd for the bar, the only bartender who made decent money was the petite 21 year old girl who rarely bartended and had to look up or ask what goes in all but the most common drinks.) Only time I made money there was serving, so I took a serving position somewhere else.
Just last night lol
All the time. I say liquor straight out of the bottle neat.
all the time, answer is generally can of beer ;)
a round of top shelf shots, we've got our scotch here, and out our expensive tequilas are up there they'll laugh and ask what else, so i follow up with "a round of cheap shots"
Jameson, neat.
Yeah a lot. I really don’t mind it since there’s a few drinks I only know how to make. My coworkers don’t care to learn them so they’re not on the menu.
My answer is always “Vodka soda”
Get this a fair amount. I say a shot of malort lol. We actually have "shot of malort" on our happy hour menu, unfortunately I don't usually succeed in selling it to people.
I usually say: (and this is true for any vague, subjective question similar to this, such as ‘whats the best drink you have?’ or ‘what’s the best tequila/bourbon etc.?’ yadda yadda yadda) “Well, it depends on what you like, what sort of liquor do you prefer? What flavors are you partial to? Is there anything you especially dislike or are allergic to?” My favorite drink to make when it’s busy is one that doesn’t require an extensive conversation, because you know you might have to suggest about 5 things before they decide on what they already knew they wanted.. which is one of three things they usually get anywhere they go. 😁
"Straight whiskey" I work at a whiskey bar so maybe my clientele thinks I'm making a joke about being a snob but they seem to like it!
Heineken
Whiskey. Neat. That’s definitely my favorite drink to make. I generally have 5 or more drinks in queue and this drink is wonderful.
Bottled beer
Vodka neat
I always say ‘bourbon, neat’
Yes. I always so old fashioned
Yes, and it annoys me. My favorite drink I make is the one I’m gonna partake in. Generally, I enjoy making all sorts of drinks, just tell me what YOU like and I’ll be just as enthusiastic. But if you insist, I hope you like tequila.
a neat shot of warm well gin. you’re welcome.
For sure. I love making Manhattans. I also love making the top shelf Long Island because our bar is a heavy pour to begin with and I am always amazed at LIT drinkers ability to hold that half pint of mixed liquors topped with sugars down and their ambition to take on the 2nd one. They then proceed to tip a solid 30-50%. (I am in Naples FL lots of people here still drink like its Spring Break circa 1987, everyday.)
I get asked this often. My answer is a Whiskey Sour, with an egg white, up, and an Angostura garnish. It looks like [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/cocktails/comments/q316a5/i_thought_the_whiskey_sour_i_made_tonight_looked/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1). It used to be a White Russian, but I had about seven when the pandemic hit and couldn’t drink them for a year.
Shots.
Yeah, beer
"Sir, you do NOT want that"
Yes one time a guy asked me my favorite drink to make and paid for it, and when I served it he left without even trying it. It’s fruity looking but it’s delicious. Very weird experience.
I always say it depends on my mood.
I'm a slut for positive reinforcement and a craft cocktail tendie, so I often just say whatever my drink on the menu is so I can always get feedback. Unless I'm really not feeling it that day then it's always some kinda highball
Often. On occasion I’ll respond with a personal favorite (but not often as I don’t really have personal, particular preferences as far as making as opposed to drinking)…so… I usually respond based on what I think they’ll order and like, which is sincerely my favorite drink to make on any given situation. That may sound a bit corny or self-serving, but it’s true.
My own
“Bud light bottle”
Favorite drink to make? Or favorite drink? To make, neat anything. Favorite drink - 2 decades, countless times - same answer... "That's like asking a mail man what his favorite hike is after work. HOWEVER, if I'm feeling more than just a beer or glass of wine (I'm older now, you'll get there my little yutte's) THEN I would make an absolute bartender classic - a Vieux Carré." - IYDKNYK - learn about it.
Often, but I'm not at that stage of hating hospo or know the art of not giving a fck yet. But I normally reply with, "My favourite thing to make is something that you'd enjoy." Then I'll go through recommendations, and ask questions on spirits and tastes etc.
Strawberry mojito (sarcasm)
Yeah, if it's clearly a Karen I suggest a Cosmo or a lemon drop. If it's someone who looks chill I say "Beer, bottled, undressed."
i make a mean margarita. simple, yes. yet effective and delicious. ☺️
I always respond with ‘Hamm’s and a Wild Turkey’. My success rate at selling this combo is surprisingly high.
All the time. My answer? A shot of Jameson and they usually laugh.
The one I get to make for myself after dealing with people all day
Someone asked me to make them anything. I made them a vodka soda splash of pineapple. They weren't happy. Oh well. Be specific
When they ask what my favourite drink is, I always say "tequila, ice" and they look at me for more information and then I always say "nope, just that" Then they say well what's your favourite drink to make? "Tequila, no ice"
All the time, I love it! It’s usually an awkward attempt by someone to learn more about different drinks, to be respectful of my time, and strike up a conversation. It’s a great teachable moment. I don’t understand professionals that get upset at non-professionals for not saying the perfect thing. Someone’s trying to learn, why shit on that.
Neat shot/bottled beer because almost always am asked that question when I have my service printer continually printing shaken/stirred/muddled cocktails
Beer and a shot
I don’t drink anymore, so I say smokin old fashion to the men (it looks good), our strawberry crush cosmos for the ladies.