Straight up (bartending)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Straight up is a term used in bartending. A drink that has been mixed with ice, but is served without it, is said to be served "straight up". (Drinks served with ice are served "on the rocks".) Straight up drinks are usually stirred or shaken with ice, and then poured through a strainer into a serving glass to remove the ice. Cocktail glasses are most commonly used to serve a drink straight up. One of the most popular drinks that is usually served straight up is the martini.

[edit] Neat

"Straight up" is often incorrectly used to mean "neat". However, neat correctly indicates that a spirit has not been mixed with ice, water, or any other substance and is served at room temperature. Thus, a Cuba Libre can be served straight up (without ice), but could never be served "neat", because it's a mixed drink. Similarly, vodka that is served from bottle to glass without being chilled is served neat.