The 2 Questions You Should Ask The Bartender Before Ordering A Cocktail

Here's a tip for the next time you order cocktails from a bar: pause and consider asking the bartender a few questions. See, according to Justin Lavenue, the Austin, Texas-based master mixologist and co-owner of The Roosevelt Room, and owner/operator of The Eleanor and RoadHaus Mobile Cocktails, there are in fact two must-ask questions for your bartender before you order a cocktail.

The first question Lavenue likes to ask any bartender reveals a lot. He explains, "My favorite question to ask a bartender is, 'What is your favorite drink on the menu, and why?' The "why" is important. It tells you whether they genuinely love the drink, whether it fits your palate, and whether they understand what makes it work." 

Another question Lavenue follows up with reveals which cocktail is popular amongst clientele. Lavenue calls these cocktails the bar's "bread-and-butter" cocktails. He'll ask what the bar is known for, and what the bartender would order as a customer. Lavenue offers a second version of his question for you to try asking your bartender: "If I could only have one drink here and never come back, what should I get?"

When asking the right questions, you can rest assured that whatever the bartender whips up for you will be lovely, since it's likely a drink they've perfected. Count asking these kinds of questions among the dos and don'ts of ordering drinks at a bar.

When you're done asking questions, Justin Lavanue recommends for you to start offering some answers and suggestions as well. He says, "The other thing guests should do is give the bartender useful information. Saying 'make me something good' is charmingly optimistic but wildly unhelpful."

Instead of being vague, offer information. If you want something sweet but not too sweet, let your bartender know. "Tell them you like drinks that are bright and citrusy, stirred and boozy, bitter and herbal, tropical and refreshing, smoky, spicy [...] whatever the case may be. A good bartender can work with preferences, but we're not mind readers," Lavenue adds. Ask questions, offer answers, and your drink order will show that you know your cocktails and impress your bartender.