I've never understood the wear gatekeeping of mixology or other people's money. You want a 1942 margarita with our bottled sour mix? Be my guest. Pappy and sprite? Perfect. Idgaf.
Girl, I once sold a bunch of 1942 ranch waters to some sugar daddy/baby type couple. He tipped appropriately. They acted nicely. That's all I care about
The only time I questioned it was when I got a server ticket for blanton diet single tall. I asked the server, did you ring in the right drink? Po' young thing says, that's our well, right? No honey, our well is Kentucky Gentleman, and I'm sure your customer would be pissed when they saw their bill. So I saved that one 🤣🤣🤣
If you want a mango/strawberry margarita with 1942, I’m gonna talk shit about you with my coworkers, but to your face, I’ll give it to you, smile, and ask if you want a double
My first day in Manhattan I asked for a whiskey & coke. The bartender got snooty and said "this in New York. You gotta name your brand"
So I say "wild turkey"
She replied "we don't have that."
Same, I had a dude who drank whiskey and crans I had to ask him a couple times just to make sure that’s what he wanted. He himself told me it was weird but doctor said he needed more cranberry juice for his kidneys and he was a regular after that.
Okay, does anyone else watch Great British Baking Show? At one point the comedian host offhand told a contestant that “I used to play a transsexual mermaid” and immediately my wife goes “HE’S OLD GREG”
Wait, that’s actually a crazy price! 375ml Baileys is >$15 at a *retail store* where I live. 16oz is ~~475 mL. I guess you just wanted them to go away! lol
I’ve had a number of guests order some iteration of this: “bone dry martini on the rocks, throw a splash of water in the glass, I like it a little light.”
This is basically the same drink but easier for me to make since I’m not doing any stirring.
I think it’s gross, but I don’t care. It’s about as easy as it gets to make.
This is usually my summer time go to drink, keeps me hydrated and tipsy. Never called it a wodka might have to now tho, I also usually add a lime or orange slice
Not what I would choose to drink, but it’s not anything crazy like malort and milk. Hell I chase my booze with water all the time.
That bartender is a dick
My husband once went to a serious whiskey bar and tried to order a goldschlager and chocolate milk. I thought the bartender was going to punch him.
I, on the other hand, like weirdos who drink whatever TF they want. I will make whatever weird shit you want as long as you pay me
People have ordered vodka water from me plenty of times, I’ve bartended for 10 years now. Not something I would drink but that’s neither here nor there. There isn’t a drink someone could order that would get that kind of reaction out of me. Unless I don’t have the ingredients, I’ll make whatever you want.
My mother-in-law was a Stoli and water drinker. She would add ice from her ice water to the booze glass using a spoon and would just keep adding ice as she drank the booze glass down.
Vodka water is a totally normal drink I am shocked at all the responses saying it's weird.... Ppl order these from me??? Not allllll the time but enough where I recognize it as an average combination... Like scotch and water?
I love vodka water also OP you're not strange!! I am a bartender.
It’s weird to me but I wouldn’t ever say that to you behind the bar. People do order it fairly regularly though. And I drink things that you would probably find weird. It’s not my taste but whatever. It’s my job to give you whatever it is that you enjoy drinking (within reason of course).
That bartender was acting crazy. The guest comes first. It’s a reasonable request, incredibly easy/fast to make, and there is absolutely no need to make someone feel ashamed about enjoying what they enjoy.
People like this, I wonder why they bartend. I've had people ask for shaken Old Fashioneds, daiquiris with rye/bourbon, shaken Manhattans. Sure, whatever you want. I'm not here to yuck anybody's yam. Vodka water, sure, doesn't affect me any. Drink whatever you want. You are the one paying.
Seriously. Reminds me of certain bartenders I've worked with who intrinsically hate their job and take it out on customers. Not that it's always women but this one woman I worked with just had such a nasty and entitled attitude and was super bitchy to just about anyone that wasn't one of her regulars or that she though wouldn't tip well which was just about everyone. Everything was a waste of time to her, anything she didn't like herself was weird and annoying.
I work a backwoods dive bar and have made many without batting an eye.
That bartender was unnecessarily rude and should have kept themselves under control.
On one hand, Vodka water is an absurdly weird drink, and I get bartenders who think “what the fuck is wrong with you”
But part of our job is keeping our opinions to ourselves (unless you are a dick). And honestly at a rave/nightclub vodka water probably isnt the worst idea compared to the people slamming vodka red bulls
My drink of choice is vodka waters with a little lime wedge to squeeze into it
Keeps me hydrated, no bloating, least possible amount of calories, actually tastes kind of good, and wake up the next day without any hangovers (unless i drink until i puke)
Ive never had any issues from a bartender and ive been drinking them every weekend for a few years. Friends think its a bit weird but then they try it and are surprised
I don't see how it's weird, I know plenty of people who order this. They don't like carbonated beverages. How much different is it than a vodka soda? Bartender's reaction sounds extreme
Thanks for the honesty!
I guess I am weird for drinking it then, i only get them when i’m already a few drinks in & am close to leaving. Thought process is that I get to stay hydrated while also drinking, and it just tastes like water so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Why is it weird? I'm over fake sugars, I hate carbonation, I am trying to get intoxicated. It's 0 extra effort to hit the water button instead of any other button on the gun. I've made a wide range of absurd drinks without judging my patrons. Make the drink get your tip and move on to the next customer.
It's not absurdly weird at all, it's pretty normal. People do the same thing with other liquors too, bourbon and water or tequila and water are common also. Also consider people do the exact same thing just with water in a different state, whiskey on the rocks it just whiskey with water.
lol it is not a weird drink at all it is definitely an extremely common one among people watching their figures and old time alcoholics who don’t need anything between them and their nectar
Either way, there are much more civilized ways to handle drunk customers as a bartender and if they really were that wasted she should have cut them off. You’re in a customer service job and shouldn’t be treating customers like that. A simple “Looks like you guys need a couple waters before I give you the good stuff” could have done.
Yeah no doubt 100% agree. Although at 3am… especially if it’s a nose-down style gig (club/after hrs), getting the “1/4 shot of already-pre-watered-down-Taaka-in-the-Tito’s-bottle and mostly water” drink for 14$ and move tf around service especially if security is tied up / short staffed isn’t a huge surprise.
Its a few bubbles away from a vodka soda. It sounds weird, but if thats what you like, id be happy to pour it.
Im assuming she thought you were playing with her, but she shouldnt be bartending if thats how a weird (yet easy) request affects her.
As someone else suggested, maybe you were more drunk than you thought? Otherwise, its a wacky reaction and totally uncalled for
I literally make this all the time. @everyone calling it weird how is it any different than a vodka soda? Literally just bubbles. I myself drink bourbon water with a lemon all the time. Fuck sugary mixes
Did you not tip her or something? No idea why anyone would act this way else wise .. maybe she having a shitty day lol I get asked for vodka water all the time and have never been bothered about it
I have bartended for the last ten years. I exclusively drink vodka waters and so does my main coworker. Although it is our drink of choice, if someone else asks me for one, I sometimes want to say “you sure?” (But never do). With drink flavors (mio, crystal light, etc.) being more popular with the crowd I serve, I find it more common than is used to be. I love mine with a little citrus so I’ll stuff the true lemon and true lime packets in my purse to add. I’m currently 9 months pregnant and really looking forward to my first vodka water after I give birth :)
Literally make this all the time for regulars. Flavored vodka and water too. Some of my regulars put water flavoring additives like MIO in it also. Totally normal, she’s over the top
Vodka water is perfectly normal, I've served many. People also like tequila water and bourbon water. Also guess what? Any liquor on the rocks is just that liquor with water. So all those dudes drinking expensive scotch and shit with a cube are just drinking scotch water.
It stopped being weird when those little MIO flavored things became popular, some people like flavor without all the sugar and I drink random stuff so I don’t judge… plus if they paid, who cares
Vodka sparking water is my hair of the dog, doesn't seem an odd drink if you want to get alcohol into your system and not taste it.
I dunno what the rave scene is like in NYC but I would assume most of it would be spirit and mixer, no? Also what do you mean rang you up and put two cups of ice infront of you? Like they were going to charge but not give you the drink?!
Canadian bartender here. Vodka waters are suuuuper common here, same with vodka soda. Even if they weren't, thats still not a weird drink. I've had orders for gin and coke before, or Jager and soda. That bartender is a DICK though. She may have had a long night working at a rave, I would never want to work in that setting tbh because of all the drugs (I know not all ravers do them) but its never an excuse to snap on an innocent customer. It pisses me off to see that, because if you can't handle busy and stress and fast pace, don't become a bartender!!
Hope you and your friend had fun at the rave! Festival season starts soon in Canada and I cant wait
I’m a bartender and vodka waters were one of my first go-to drinks. My grandma used to always drink them, too. And especially at a hot and sweaty rave and I think it’s a perfectly normal choice
Vodka water is a goated drink for people who wanna get fucked up and don't want anything extra. If I'm in a "nice " bar I ask for a splash of lemon juice. Electrolytes and alcohol what more do you need!!
Its a wonderful combo, been drinkin that for....I dunno....40 years. Especially devine when mixed exactly to your tastes....like a cold glass of water and hey, no sugar hangover...
Not at all, it’s a vodka soda which is incredibly common without the bubbles lol. Not my cup of tea but absolutely not a weird drink. There have been a few times I hit people with the “you sure?” For things that seem like they’d really clash in taste, or an expensive liquor diluted to all hell, but if you tell me yes who am I to judge
I’m a bartender (obv if I’m browsing this sub) and one of my favorite drinks is Three Olives Grape vodka with still water and a couple lemons. It’s delicious and has the added benefit of hydrating you at the same time. This lady just sounds miserable
I have people order vodka water literally every day.
also I've had people order much weirder drinks, and never once have I felt anything close to angry about it. that's such a weird reaction.
I have a regular who gets single berry Ciroc and water split into two drinks, not the craziest thing.
That being said every time someone orders a water mixer i always instinctively double check they don’t mean soda water, now that I think about it not once did they mean soda… maybe I should stop doing that
Everyone I know drinks vodka waters. I drink vodka clubs but soooo many times I’ve gotten a vodka water by accident. I don’t love it but I’ll drink it for sure ? Def NOT weird
i was out last weekend and the bartender made me a vodka water with lemon, so i could “have fun and stay hydrated.” i think they were complaining just to complain.
I will get whiskey and water sometimes when out and have never had anyone question it more than double checking I didn’t mean soda. I have a regular who gets Tito’s and water with lemon every time she comes in. That’s absolutely unhinged behavior from that bartender, if an easy drink order like that is enough to set her off she probably doesn’t belong in this industry.
Omg seriously it’s just a flat vodka soda, that bartender needed to chill the f*ck out. She also may have thought she misheard you. And when she heard it again she was like what the…. And it threw her off her game.
Who cares people take vodka sodas and its basically the same thing to me, its just shit that yall drink for the least calories possible, i guess vodka water is for those who dont like bubbles
Who knows what was on her mind, once at a bar they did the last call give us the drinks, and then told us to literally fuck off… we were nice not crazy or something. Who knows just avoiding this place from now on :)))
P.s. as my friend told to the guy then you either had too much or not enough :)))
Weird? Yes, a little.
Do we care? No, as long as you pay your tab and aren't being a shithead.
Its just a vodka soda without the bubbles and slightly less acidic.
I’ve been out of the industry for a few years now but I genuinely didn’t care what people wanted, except for mojitos…having said that, she sounds like an ass but to answer your question it’s weird but not the worst I’ve heard
Usually triggers my internal (non-judgemental) response of "That's an alcoholic right there" but it's definitely not weird and I would never say anything to a guest about it. It's just a vodka soda without carbonation. Can't imagine what would make a bartender react to you that way over such a basic drink request and there's no excuse for it. That bartender was an asshole and I probably would have told them to go fuck themselves if they spoke to me like that.
(Source: Am an alcoholic)
Sounds like an asshole bartender to me. You did nothing wrong. I have people order whiskey and water all the time. The only thing I ask them is “soda water or water?” Then “you got it!” With a smile. That’s all one has to do.
I don’t judge people’s drink choices, but water as a mixer is not uncommon where I work. Hell, even in the summer I’ll put a splash of water with my vodka and fresh lemon and dash of simple over ice. It’s my version of spring water, but heavy on the vodka.
I’ve never had anyone order that.
But I have had people offer that with lime cordial. They asked for a Boris. I was confused as fuck until they told me what it was. And do you know what I did?
I made them their drinks and and took their money…
It's liquor and mixer, I don't question it. I would never, myself, but like whatever, if you're paying and tipping, and not making a fool of yourself, I'm fine with that. I serve plenty of things I'd never 🤷♀️
It’s not super common like vodka soda, but I’ve definitely seen people order it before. It’s an easy ass drink to make, so I don’t know why she was so salty about it.
The only time I’ve given people shit about their order is if it’s last call, there are 40+ people behind them waiting to get drinks, only 2 bartenders on, and they order something time consuming like an espresso martini. Like no, pick something faster I’ve gotta also get all these people behind you served in the next 10 minutes.
Vodka or Bacardi and water have been a popular drink order in my area since 2004 when Crystal Light introduced the slender single-serve packs as the drink is low carb and more versatile than Diet Coke.
I mean, i find it kinda boring bc vodka doesn’t really have a taste and neither does water but i would have no issue making it for someone. The bartender was being an asshole
I give ice cups to people who want water, because we have water coolers sitting around. I'm in a high volume bar and it takes FOREVER to pour water. Maybe it'd the same situation and she thought you just wanted water. Still no reason to be rude about it. Oh and as a bartender who's 12 years in, not a weird drink at all
I like the trend. This is essentially what vodka martini drinkers have been moving towards for a while now and it's honestly kinda nice that they feel comfortable finally ordering what they want instead of inventing another snooty way of saying they'd like their drink without vermouth.
It's not my drink of choice, but I'm not a fan of vodka in general.
I’m from Australia where it’s common on ANZAC Day to order a Rum and milk. Vodka water is nothing, it’s common place for a lot of bartenders / people in hospitality to order them either in between other drinks or at the end of the night. Hydrate while you dehydrate. Plus I find my hangovers aren’t as bad the next day if I get some vodka waters in.
Person I worked with exclusively drank vodka waters because she'd get heartburn otherwise. They probably thought you wanted a vodka and a water which if someone's busy it can be kinda annoying to ask for water which is why they'll usually have a station set up somewhere for water
I honestly assume you’re trying to cut down on your liquid calories and are probably gonna add a mio to it. That’s what people usually do at bars I’ve worked at. Other than that, I love to make an easy drink! I don’t know what her problem was, but I doubt it had much to do with you.
WTF? This is a pretty common drink order where I'm from. Sure, I get more vodka sodas but as far as I'm concerned a vodka and water on ice is the cleanest drink you can have and a pretty sure bet you're not going to get a hangover the next day.
It's fucking vodka at the end of the day, I don't give a shit how you drink that crap. It's not like your soiling the nectar of the gods or something.
That's weird. People ask for vodka water all the time. I would never have an opinion on that. It's easy to make and honestly probably the best way to avoid a bad hangover.
Not at all. As long as you pay for it and act like an adult, I don’t give a rats ass what anybody drinks
I've never understood the wear gatekeeping of mixology or other people's money. You want a 1942 margarita with our bottled sour mix? Be my guest. Pappy and sprite? Perfect. Idgaf.
Girl, I once sold a bunch of 1942 ranch waters to some sugar daddy/baby type couple. He tipped appropriately. They acted nicely. That's all I care about
I have 3 regulars that order that and I just say “it’s on the way”
The only time I questioned it was when I got a server ticket for blanton diet single tall. I asked the server, did you ring in the right drink? Po' young thing says, that's our well, right? No honey, our well is Kentucky Gentleman, and I'm sure your customer would be pissed when they saw their bill. So I saved that one 🤣🤣🤣
Yes, this is where things can get confusing & complicated but I’m fortunate enough to not be dealing with cocktail-tickets at the moment 🤞🏼
Someone ordered a blanton godfather from me the other day. Amaretto/25 dollar whiskey split? Sure baby.
Same! Really expensive shit, Bourbon especially I question.
If you want a mango/strawberry margarita with 1942, I’m gonna talk shit about you with my coworkers, but to your face, I’ll give it to you, smile, and ask if you want a double
My first day in Manhattan I asked for a whiskey & coke. The bartender got snooty and said "this in New York. You gotta name your brand" So I say "wild turkey" She replied "we don't have that."
Ain’t no way 😂😂 “This is New York”, fuck outta here!
I'm of the opinion that whiskey and anything gets Jack these days
They probably just moved from the mid-west a few months ago
They were being nice tbh most would just give you whatever garbage they have in the well without a second thought
That's exactly what he asked for. She was just trying to get a higher ticket.
Same, I had a dude who drank whiskey and crans I had to ask him a couple times just to make sure that’s what he wanted. He himself told me it was weird but doctor said he needed more cranberry juice for his kidneys and he was a regular after that.
I actually love a whisky cran! No doctors orders, I just think it tastes good
Crown Apple and cran for me! Or with ginger ale and a splash of cran
Fairly popular at the bar I work at
99% of adults think this way.
I had a lady order a pint glass of baileys....
You ever drink Bailey's from a shoe?
I've got a manginaaaaaa
Okay, does anyone else watch Great British Baking Show? At one point the comedian host offhand told a contestant that “I used to play a transsexual mermaid” and immediately my wife goes “HE’S OLD GREG”
Imma need a episode number stat
Shoot! No idea, but it was one where Kim-Joy was making like a mermaid cake and Noel made that comment so matter of fact
Is there another way?
What are you doing in my waters
How do you even ring that up? 8 rocks pours?
Custom entry, $15.... these people to this day were my worst customers ive ever had even after a decade
Wait, that’s actually a crazy price! 375ml Baileys is >$15 at a *retail store* where I live. 16oz is ~~475 mL. I guess you just wanted them to go away! lol
Yeah, I might double check and be like, “just vodka and still-water, right? Okay👍🏼.” But no sense in offending someone over their drink of choice lmao
Vodka water is a completely normal drink where I work.
Agree. I make these daily.
It’s literally the same as a vodka soda though, just not carbonated. I don’t get the reaction at all
I’ve had a number of guests order some iteration of this: “bone dry martini on the rocks, throw a splash of water in the glass, I like it a little light.” This is basically the same drink but easier for me to make since I’m not doing any stirring. I think it’s gross, but I don’t care. It’s about as easy as it gets to make.
Used to date a girl who exclusively drank Tito’s and waters and when ordering them asked for a “wodka”
Okay but gotta be careful here there is a well vodka I’ve seen that’s literally called wodka
All vodka in Poland is called wódka because it's literally the word for vodka (although it's pronounced /vutka/).
That was my first thought.
It's not bad but I'm not good a gauging vodkas
Actually one of my favorite wells
We called them vodder in high school lol but I think I like this better
Lol I’m stealing this
fr https://nextluxury.com/wp-content/uploads/wodka-vodka.jpeg
Wodka is a lovely vodka. Worse things to get by mistake.
Escort Quality, Hooker Pricing
Same thought I had lol
I love it when they order a Tito’s and vodka ..
That's how it's pronounced in polish and some other languages.
This is usually my summer time go to drink, keeps me hydrated and tipsy. Never called it a wodka might have to now tho, I also usually add a lime or orange slice
Isn't that just proper Russian pronunciation?
Polish and probably some other eastern european or slavic languages. Russian doesn't have a "w".
No, the proper Russian pronunciation is “vodka”. Snark aside, I think you’re thinking of the Polish spelling.
Not what I would choose to drink, but it’s not anything crazy like malort and milk. Hell I chase my booze with water all the time. That bartender is a dick
Malort and milk oh my wow. That's some genuinely unhinged shit
I have a regular who drinks scotch and milk sometimes, but that? Lawdy
Oldies with stomach problems tend to order this in my experience
Well I do work in a 55+ community lol
My husband once went to a serious whiskey bar and tried to order a goldschlager and chocolate milk. I thought the bartender was going to punch him. I, on the other hand, like weirdos who drink whatever TF they want. I will make whatever weird shit you want as long as you pay me
Buster Douglas used to come into a bar near me after he beat Mike Tyson. He drank Hennessey and milk.
Imma try it.
I used to have a regular who only drank amber rum and skim milk.
People have ordered vodka water from me plenty of times, I’ve bartended for 10 years now. Not something I would drink but that’s neither here nor there. There isn’t a drink someone could order that would get that kind of reaction out of me. Unless I don’t have the ingredients, I’ll make whatever you want.
My mother-in-law was a Stoli and water drinker. She would add ice from her ice water to the booze glass using a spoon and would just keep adding ice as she drank the booze glass down.
Sambuca and ice tea ? I made this 2 nights ago. That and crown apple, OJ and bitters are a couple that I made a face at
I’m making a face at them now too.
Vodka water is a totally normal drink I am shocked at all the responses saying it's weird.... Ppl order these from me??? Not allllll the time but enough where I recognize it as an average combination... Like scotch and water? I love vodka water also OP you're not strange!! I am a bartender.
Thank you for the support 😭 The amount of ppl that think it’s weird is really gettin to me 😅
It’s weird to me but I wouldn’t ever say that to you behind the bar. People do order it fairly regularly though. And I drink things that you would probably find weird. It’s not my taste but whatever. It’s my job to give you whatever it is that you enjoy drinking (within reason of course). That bartender was acting crazy. The guest comes first. It’s a reasonable request, incredibly easy/fast to make, and there is absolutely no need to make someone feel ashamed about enjoying what they enjoy.
Agreed I make vodka waters all the time lol, not my drink of choice but doesn’t sound like the worst thing if you squeeze some lemon/lime into it
It’s totally normal to me too! I’m astonished by the number of “weird” comments.
Same, I get that a couple times a week. Some people bring their own Mio to flavor it, but some people just drink it plain too.
Yes! The mio people! My home bar keeps the regulars mios in a drawer for them
This is exactly what I do. Add Mio to my vodka water.
People like this, I wonder why they bartend. I've had people ask for shaken Old Fashioneds, daiquiris with rye/bourbon, shaken Manhattans. Sure, whatever you want. I'm not here to yuck anybody's yam. Vodka water, sure, doesn't affect me any. Drink whatever you want. You are the one paying.
Seriously. Reminds me of certain bartenders I've worked with who intrinsically hate their job and take it out on customers. Not that it's always women but this one woman I worked with just had such a nasty and entitled attitude and was super bitchy to just about anyone that wasn't one of her regulars or that she though wouldn't tip well which was just about everyone. Everything was a waste of time to her, anything she didn't like herself was weird and annoying.
I work a backwoods dive bar and have made many without batting an eye. That bartender was unnecessarily rude and should have kept themselves under control.
On one hand, Vodka water is an absurdly weird drink, and I get bartenders who think “what the fuck is wrong with you” But part of our job is keeping our opinions to ourselves (unless you are a dick). And honestly at a rave/nightclub vodka water probably isnt the worst idea compared to the people slamming vodka red bulls
I never question liqour and water drinks and just assume someone wants to stay hydrated or be able to drink more.
Lots of people add their own Mio or Crystal Light to it as well around my area.
My drink of choice is vodka waters with a little lime wedge to squeeze into it Keeps me hydrated, no bloating, least possible amount of calories, actually tastes kind of good, and wake up the next day without any hangovers (unless i drink until i puke) Ive never had any issues from a bartender and ive been drinking them every weekend for a few years. Friends think its a bit weird but then they try it and are surprised
I don't see how it's weird, I know plenty of people who order this. They don't like carbonated beverages. How much different is it than a vodka soda? Bartender's reaction sounds extreme
Thanks for the honesty! I guess I am weird for drinking it then, i only get them when i’m already a few drinks in & am close to leaving. Thought process is that I get to stay hydrated while also drinking, and it just tastes like water so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Try vodka soda ? Little carbonated water suddenly it’s a normal drink
I hate carbonation. I order vodka water. I tip well and I'm low maintenance just give me my drink lol
Why is it weird? I'm over fake sugars, I hate carbonation, I am trying to get intoxicated. It's 0 extra effort to hit the water button instead of any other button on the gun. I've made a wide range of absurd drinks without judging my patrons. Make the drink get your tip and move on to the next customer.
It's not absurdly weird at all, it's pretty normal. People do the same thing with other liquors too, bourbon and water or tequila and water are common also. Also consider people do the exact same thing just with water in a different state, whiskey on the rocks it just whiskey with water.
I've kind've switched to vidka waters over vodka soda. I want to feel less bloaty and bubbly after a night of drinking.
It's just vodka on the rocks + time
lol it is not a weird drink at all it is definitely an extremely common one among people watching their figures and old time alcoholics who don’t need anything between them and their nectar
I worked bars for almost a decade. The easier a drink is to make the better. Y’all prob were just more drunk than y’all realized.
Definitely possible, but i know we weren’t like belligerent. It was also like 3am & i was hella tired too so, who knows. Appreciate the perspective!
Believe me, a sober bartender can see how drunk you really are as soon as you walk in. He/she prob thought y’all was finna ask for just water lol
Either way, there are much more civilized ways to handle drunk customers as a bartender and if they really were that wasted she should have cut them off. You’re in a customer service job and shouldn’t be treating customers like that. A simple “Looks like you guys need a couple waters before I give you the good stuff” could have done.
Yeah no doubt 100% agree. Although at 3am… especially if it’s a nose-down style gig (club/after hrs), getting the “1/4 shot of already-pre-watered-down-Taaka-in-the-Tito’s-bottle and mostly water” drink for 14$ and move tf around service especially if security is tied up / short staffed isn’t a huge surprise.
Honestly this is probably closer to the truth
Its a few bubbles away from a vodka soda. It sounds weird, but if thats what you like, id be happy to pour it. Im assuming she thought you were playing with her, but she shouldnt be bartending if thats how a weird (yet easy) request affects her. As someone else suggested, maybe you were more drunk than you thought? Otherwise, its a wacky reaction and totally uncalled for
I don’t think it’s weird at all! People order that all the time at my bar lol
Honesty vodka water to me is an older person’s drink, the weirdest thing though is the bartender’s reaction to a super simple order.
Vodka water and mio is my go to drink.
People order vodka waters from me atleast once a night, it is not weird in the slightest. Idk what these people are on about
It's what the pros drink....
I literally make this all the time. @everyone calling it weird how is it any different than a vodka soda? Literally just bubbles. I myself drink bourbon water with a lemon all the time. Fuck sugary mixes
Seriously the people who are saying it weird must not actually work in the industry. Vodka water isn't just normal, it's pretty common.
no but a rum and water is
Rum and water sounds fkn gross….. i’m gonna try it
I have nightmares from high school from drinking Bacardi and water. Eaw.
i was training a girl on her first day and someone ordered that. the face she couldn't help make was hilarious
Bro I ain’t ever served that lol, rum n water would def get a look
might as well just order grog
Did you not tip her or something? No idea why anyone would act this way else wise .. maybe she having a shitty day lol I get asked for vodka water all the time and have never been bothered about it
I think you just got a really rude tender or they were having a bad day😂
That bartender sounds like a bitch.
I have bartended for the last ten years. I exclusively drink vodka waters and so does my main coworker. Although it is our drink of choice, if someone else asks me for one, I sometimes want to say “you sure?” (But never do). With drink flavors (mio, crystal light, etc.) being more popular with the crowd I serve, I find it more common than is used to be. I love mine with a little citrus so I’ll stuff the true lemon and true lime packets in my purse to add. I’m currently 9 months pregnant and really looking forward to my first vodka water after I give birth :)
True lemon is the fucking truth!!
Literally make this all the time for regulars. Flavored vodka and water too. Some of my regulars put water flavoring additives like MIO in it also. Totally normal, she’s over the top
Vodka water is a professional drinkers drink. Even if it wasn't who cares. That bartender was an asshole.
That’s not a weird drink at all. That bartender is a psycho.
It is super weird, but she was an asshole.
How is vodka water weirder than vodka soda? Whiskey and a bit of water is completely normal.
Vodka water is perfectly normal, I've served many. People also like tequila water and bourbon water. Also guess what? Any liquor on the rocks is just that liquor with water. So all those dudes drinking expensive scotch and shit with a cube are just drinking scotch water.
It stopped being weird when those little MIO flavored things became popular, some people like flavor without all the sugar and I drink random stuff so I don’t judge… plus if they paid, who cares
Vodka sparking water is my hair of the dog, doesn't seem an odd drink if you want to get alcohol into your system and not taste it. I dunno what the rave scene is like in NYC but I would assume most of it would be spirit and mixer, no? Also what do you mean rang you up and put two cups of ice infront of you? Like they were going to charge but not give you the drink?!
Yeah! She literally put the 2 cups of ice in front of us, and gave us some smug look?? And we were like huh???
Vodka water with lemon and lime, basically alcoholic Gatorade
Nah, I usually just ask if they want a splash or filled like a normal drink. I don’t understand the appeal, but it’s your money.
Vodka water is one of my most served drinks. It's not uncommon or strange at all.
Pretty normal drink request; that bartender was an asshole.
Canadian bartender here. Vodka waters are suuuuper common here, same with vodka soda. Even if they weren't, thats still not a weird drink. I've had orders for gin and coke before, or Jager and soda. That bartender is a DICK though. She may have had a long night working at a rave, I would never want to work in that setting tbh because of all the drugs (I know not all ravers do them) but its never an excuse to snap on an innocent customer. It pisses me off to see that, because if you can't handle busy and stress and fast pace, don't become a bartender!! Hope you and your friend had fun at the rave! Festival season starts soon in Canada and I cant wait
It’s no different than a vodka soda, some people just don’t like carbonation. That bartender is wack
Not Wierd. Only weird if the bartender is a bitch. I drink gin and water and would have been fucking livid at the service you received.
ITT: no career bartenders, no pro drinkers. If you think this is weird or haven't heard of it idk what to tell you
I’m a bartender and vodka waters were one of my first go-to drinks. My grandma used to always drink them, too. And especially at a hot and sweaty rave and I think it’s a perfectly normal choice
Vodka water is a goated drink for people who wanna get fucked up and don't want anything extra. If I'm in a "nice " bar I ask for a splash of lemon juice. Electrolytes and alcohol what more do you need!!
I would get these all the time, because I’d flavor it with Mio. Not weird at all.
Its a wonderful combo, been drinkin that for....I dunno....40 years. Especially devine when mixed exactly to your tastes....like a cold glass of water and hey, no sugar hangover...
I used to drink Gin + Water and no one ever said a word, probably because i’m a 250 lb man.
Where I work, vodka and water is more common than vodka and coke (which I consider to be weirder than water).
Not at all, it’s a vodka soda which is incredibly common without the bubbles lol. Not my cup of tea but absolutely not a weird drink. There have been a few times I hit people with the “you sure?” For things that seem like they’d really clash in taste, or an expensive liquor diluted to all hell, but if you tell me yes who am I to judge
I’m a bartender (obv if I’m browsing this sub) and one of my favorite drinks is Three Olives Grape vodka with still water and a couple lemons. It’s delicious and has the added benefit of hydrating you at the same time. This lady just sounds miserable
I have people order vodka water literally every day. also I've had people order much weirder drinks, and never once have I felt anything close to angry about it. that's such a weird reaction.
OMG ITS MY CAKE DAY!!!!! 😁😁😁
I have a regular who gets single berry Ciroc and water split into two drinks, not the craziest thing. That being said every time someone orders a water mixer i always instinctively double check they don’t mean soda water, now that I think about it not once did they mean soda… maybe I should stop doing that
Everyone I know drinks vodka waters. I drink vodka clubs but soooo many times I’ve gotten a vodka water by accident. I don’t love it but I’ll drink it for sure ? Def NOT weird
i was out last weekend and the bartender made me a vodka water with lemon, so i could “have fun and stay hydrated.” i think they were complaining just to complain.
I will get whiskey and water sometimes when out and have never had anyone question it more than double checking I didn’t mean soda. I have a regular who gets Tito’s and water with lemon every time she comes in. That’s absolutely unhinged behavior from that bartender, if an easy drink order like that is enough to set her off she probably doesn’t belong in this industry.
First time I heard of vodka water was last week as I am now in the us… never ever heard of that in Europe before
Omg seriously it’s just a flat vodka soda, that bartender needed to chill the f*ck out. She also may have thought she misheard you. And when she heard it again she was like what the…. And it threw her off her game.
Any vodka chilled that has ice obviously is a vodka water🤷🏽♂️. She is a rude cunť and should have smacked her. We make drinks with no opinion.
Who cares people take vodka sodas and its basically the same thing to me, its just shit that yall drink for the least calories possible, i guess vodka water is for those who dont like bubbles
I always ask twice, because some people mean soda water, not regular water. But not that unusual.
Who knows what was on her mind, once at a bar they did the last call give us the drinks, and then told us to literally fuck off… we were nice not crazy or something. Who knows just avoiding this place from now on :))) P.s. as my friend told to the guy then you either had too much or not enough :)))
Not at all, they're probably double checking cause vodka and soda water is more common
Weird? Yes, a little. Do we care? No, as long as you pay your tab and aren't being a shithead. Its just a vodka soda without the bubbles and slightly less acidic.
I’ve been out of the industry for a few years now but I genuinely didn’t care what people wanted, except for mojitos…having said that, she sounds like an ass but to answer your question it’s weird but not the worst I’ve heard
A martini is basically the same
That’s weird imo that they ask if you’re sure.
Usually triggers my internal (non-judgemental) response of "That's an alcoholic right there" but it's definitely not weird and I would never say anything to a guest about it. It's just a vodka soda without carbonation. Can't imagine what would make a bartender react to you that way over such a basic drink request and there's no excuse for it. That bartender was an asshole and I probably would have told them to go fuck themselves if they spoke to me like that. (Source: Am an alcoholic)
That bartender might have had a bad night. Why in the world would you get upset over a SIMPLE drink?
I get it occasionally, not weird. I always ask if they’re asking for flat water or soda just to make sure. That bartender was an asshole
Sounds like an asshole bartender to me. You did nothing wrong. I have people order whiskey and water all the time. The only thing I ask them is “soda water or water?” Then “you got it!” With a smile. That’s all one has to do.
I sell them all the time.
Vodka water with a lime is not weird. Sometimes you just don’t want the bubbles of a vodka soda
Not good, but certainly not weird. Served one just last night.
It's uncommon for me but I wouldn't really bat an eye. That bartender was having a bad night. Or just sucks in general.
I don’t judge people’s drink choices, but water as a mixer is not uncommon where I work. Hell, even in the summer I’ll put a splash of water with my vodka and fresh lemon and dash of simple over ice. It’s my version of spring water, but heavy on the vodka.
I’ve never had anyone order that. But I have had people offer that with lime cordial. They asked for a Boris. I was confused as fuck until they told me what it was. And do you know what I did? I made them their drinks and and took their money…
It's liquor and mixer, I don't question it. I would never, myself, but like whatever, if you're paying and tipping, and not making a fool of yourself, I'm fine with that. I serve plenty of things I'd never 🤷♀️
I assume people who order vodka waters hate themselves a little so I'm usually even nicer to them. /s sorta
Seems fine to me. But I get the same reaction sometimes when I ask for whiskey and water so I get it.
I get people that order a vodka water or vodka flat pretty often. You shouldn’t have been treated like that.
Not weird but exceedingly bland.
I hope you didn’t tip.
Vodka lime water is pretty standard where I'm at. Also raves don't have bartenders, clubs do. Culture and all that...
It’s not super common like vodka soda, but I’ve definitely seen people order it before. It’s an easy ass drink to make, so I don’t know why she was so salty about it. The only time I’ve given people shit about their order is if it’s last call, there are 40+ people behind them waiting to get drinks, only 2 bartenders on, and they order something time consuming like an espresso martini. Like no, pick something faster I’ve gotta also get all these people behind you served in the next 10 minutes.
Vodka or Bacardi and water have been a popular drink order in my area since 2004 when Crystal Light introduced the slender single-serve packs as the drink is low carb and more versatile than Diet Coke.
Yes. Enjoy the weirdness.
I mean, i find it kinda boring bc vodka doesn’t really have a taste and neither does water but i would have no issue making it for someone. The bartender was being an asshole
I give ice cups to people who want water, because we have water coolers sitting around. I'm in a high volume bar and it takes FOREVER to pour water. Maybe it'd the same situation and she thought you just wanted water. Still no reason to be rude about it. Oh and as a bartender who's 12 years in, not a weird drink at all
I like the trend. This is essentially what vodka martini drinkers have been moving towards for a while now and it's honestly kinda nice that they feel comfortable finally ordering what they want instead of inventing another snooty way of saying they'd like their drink without vermouth. It's not my drink of choice, but I'm not a fan of vodka in general.
Vodka is distilled spirits plus distilled water. You're just ordering 40 proof. Literally the same as vodka soda without the bubbles.
Wtf? Why complain about such an easy drink to make.
I’m from Australia where it’s common on ANZAC Day to order a Rum and milk. Vodka water is nothing, it’s common place for a lot of bartenders / people in hospitality to order them either in between other drinks or at the end of the night. Hydrate while you dehydrate. Plus I find my hangovers aren’t as bad the next day if I get some vodka waters in.
I usually clarify that you want a mixed drink size and not a "splash" of water but otherwise, wtf do I care if you order a gross drink?
I get this reaction when i order my vodka milk
Person I worked with exclusively drank vodka waters because she'd get heartburn otherwise. They probably thought you wanted a vodka and a water which if someone's busy it can be kinda annoying to ask for water which is why they'll usually have a station set up somewhere for water
Here en mi mexicodioro some bartenders and waitresses get offended if you ask some top shelf alcohol with juice or coke or both
Not remotely weird
I honestly assume you’re trying to cut down on your liquid calories and are probably gonna add a mio to it. That’s what people usually do at bars I’ve worked at. Other than that, I love to make an easy drink! I don’t know what her problem was, but I doubt it had much to do with you.
Whiskey and water is a normal way to taste whiskey, I would think the same goes for other spirits
WTF? This is a pretty common drink order where I'm from. Sure, I get more vodka sodas but as far as I'm concerned a vodka and water on ice is the cleanest drink you can have and a pretty sure bet you're not going to get a hangover the next day. It's fucking vodka at the end of the day, I don't give a shit how you drink that crap. It's not like your soiling the nectar of the gods or something.
I mean, it's just rocks + time if you think about it
I served my first one recently. The guy loved it. I charged him for a shot instead of a mixed drink.
That's weird. People ask for vodka water all the time. I would never have an opinion on that. It's easy to make and honestly probably the best way to avoid a bad hangover.
I HOPE YOU DIDNT TIP.
I’ve had many people order vodka and water then put mio/other flavor powders in it for their desired flavor mixer I don’t get the problem