Shaken, not stirred: how to drink in English

Let’s get out of these wet clothes and into a dry Martini…

A great way to practice your English is at the bar, but how will you know what to order?

We’ve got you covered from A to Z, or from Aperol Spritzes to Zombies.

Know the lingo:

• Ask your bartender for a drink neat if you want it straight from the bottle, no ice or garnish.
• On the rocks if you want ice.
• Straight or up you want it shaken or stirred and served in a chilled cocktail glass.
• Dirty if you want olive juice in it, and with a twist if you want a bit of lemon or lime.

Are you the Samantha, or the Carrie of your group? Maybe you’re a real Miranda about the whole situation. Maybe you couldn’t care less but are legitimately very thirsty. To channel Sex and the City, order a Cosmopolitan: Vodka, lime juice, cranberry juice, and Cointreau, with a twist.

For the James Bond types, choose a Martini: Gin (sometimes vodka), Dry Vermouth. Of course you’ll want this shaken not stirred. Garnish with an olive or lemon. Ask for it dirty and get some more of that delicious olive juice.

How about something simple, populist and not so elite? Try a screwdriver: Orange juice and vodka served in a tall glass with ice. Fun fact: Allegedly this drink was invented by oil workers who mixed the drink a screwdriver (the tool, not another cocktail… although that gives us an idea).

Of course there’s the matter of your bartender. You’ll want to leave a tip, depending on their pour — the heavier the better. If your drink is watered down, then don’t bother with a good tip.

Don’t let your English get in the way your social life or sobriety. And please drink responsibly, same goes for speaking English.

Learn more about drinking in English with our online English course Gymglish.

---

Related articles:

• 5 English-speaking street artists you need to know
• 5 pretty good movies that will improve your English maybe
• What is Thanksgiving?
• Of fish and fools
• 5 songs for your New Year’s Eve bash that may possibly infect you with the boogie-woogie virus (proceed with caution!)