Aging - This is the technique of letting a spirit age in a barrel for some time in order for the spirit to develop flavor. Some examples of aged drinks are wine and whisky.
Blend - This refers to creating drinks with a blender. Some examples are frozen margaritas and frozen daiquiris.
Burnt - When you see this word you might think of something blackened or overcooked, however in the world of mixology this actually refers to adding a dash or a little bit of whisky to a drink in order to give it a smoky flavor.
Chill - Not all drinks are meant to be room temperature and so bartenders will often add ice to a drink or mix to chill it before serving. This is important since temperature can greatly affect the taste of a spirit or liquor especially if mixed with other ingredients.
Dirty - This term is usually used when ordering a Martini. Some prefer a ‘dirty martini’ which means it contains a bit of olive juice from the jar or olive brine. The brine usually makes the drink look a little cloudy, hence the ‘dirty’ in terms of presentation of the drink.
Distilled - Many liquors go through the distillation process such as whisky, tequila, vodka, rum, and many more. The distillation process not only purifies the liquid but also makes it more concentrated which is how it reaches a higher alcohol content compared to other drinks like wine or beer.
Express - Express or expressing is when you extract from a fruit, usually a citrus such as lemon or orange. It involves taking the peel or rind and twisting and squeezing it in such a way that releases the citrus oil. The scent sits on top of the drink which adds to the whole sensory experience of enjoying a cocktail.
