You know you’ve been there, haven’t we all? A cocktail ordered with anticipation, but the reality leaves a lot to be desired. The hope of a wonderfully satisfying spirit, only to be met with a maligned liquid that does exactly the opposite of its intended purpose. Instead of the profound exhale that follows an enjoyable sip of a drink, you’re left looking at a glass full of wasted potential.
But fear not — there is hope. With a few simple steps, a great drink can be found no matter the venue.
“I think personally the way you can order the best cocktail for yourself, is to know what you like and know how to articulate that,” says Ramsey Musk, beverage director at the lauded Accomplice Bar in Los Angeles. “Cocktail menus can be really intense and extensive, but in those spaces the bar team should be there to help guide you and make you feel comfortable,” he says.
And he’s absolutely right. Oftentimes, a modern-day cocktail menu can be filled with products and ingredients that read more like a foreign language, but bartenders should be there to help guests, so a little trust goes a long way.
“Going into a new bar or restaurant can be daunting, but bartenders like myself love to ask some simple questions for a little guidance for guests,” says Isle Anderson, bar manager at Webb’s Grainworks in Aliso Viejo. It’s a recently opened distillery, brewery, restaurant, bottle shop, and more that has been garnishing accolades since opening its doors. “What is your poison, or the type of flavor you’re looking for? What mood are you feeling? Would you like something liquor-forward or refreshing? Something spicy or sweet?” he asks. “This will help the bartender wrap their head around the style of cocktail they plan on making you.”
And don’t be afraid to be a copycat: “Look around the place and see what everyone else is drinking. If everyone is enjoying fruity margaritas, that might not be the place to order a Black Manhattan. Ask your bartender what they specialize in at this location.”
Also, learn some of the lingo.
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“Having some key words or flavor profiles that you like will help us know what your baseline is and then we can also give you something along those lines, but maybe a bit different,” Musk advises. “For example, a guest came in and, after some questions, we landed on that she likes a refreshing cocktail, and bubbles were ideal but she also wasn’t afraid of savory. So we got her our Jester aka Yacht Club, which is basically a cucumber ranch highball. (Writer’s aside: this drink is absolutely fantastic should one ever find themselves in Accomplice Bar.) She loved it and was surprised by how spot-on yet also out of left field it was.”
Finally, as Shakespeare wrote, “to thine own self be true.”
Says Musk: “To sum it up, I guess the best way to order the best drink for yourself is to really know yourself and understand what flavors and characteristics you like.”
Find something that speaks to you, ask your bartender about it, and order away. And don’t forget to smile after that first sip.