Neat
Meaning: A spirit served at room temperature without ice, water, or any mixer.
Ordering a drink 'neat' means you want it straight from the bottle into the glass — no ice, no water, no mixer. It's the purist's way to drink spirits like whiskey, bourbon, or tequila. It shows confidence in what you're drinking and is common among connoisseurs.
Examples
- I'll have a bourbon neat. 给我来杯纯饮波本。Ponme un bourbon solo.バーボンをニートで。버번 니트로 주세요.
- She ordered her tequila neat and sipped it slowly. 她点了纯饮龙舌兰,慢慢地品味。Ella pidió el tequila solo y lo fue saboreando despacio.彼女はテキーラをニートで頼んで、ゆっくり味わっていた。그녀는 테킬라를 니트로 주문해서 천천히 음미했어.
- If you really want to taste the whiskey, order it neat. 如果你真想品尝威士忌的味道,就点纯饮。Si de verdad quieres apreciar el whisky, pídelo solo.ウイスキーの味を本当に楽しみたいなら、ニートで頼むといいよ。위스키 본연의 맛을 정말 느끼고 싶다면 니트로 주문해.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: bars, ordering spirits, cocktail culture
Tone: refined, straightforward
✓ Do Say
- Bourbon neat, please.请来杯纯饮波本。Un bourbon solo, por favor.バーボンをニートで。버번 니트로 주세요.
- I prefer my whiskey neat.我喜欢纯饮威士忌。Prefiero mi whisky solo.ウイスキーはニートが好きです。위스키는 니트로 마시는 게 좋아.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't confuse 'neat' with 'straight up' — 'straight up' means shaken or stirred with ice then strained (no ice in the glass), while 'neat' means no ice was ever involved不要把'neat'和'straight up'搞混——'straight up'是加冰摇匀或搅拌后滤掉冰(杯中无冰),而'neat'是从头到尾都没碰过冰No confundas 'neat' con 'straight up': 'straight up' significa agitado o removido con hielo y luego colado (sin hielo en el vaso), mientras que 'neat' significa que nunca ha tocado el hielo「neat」と「straight up」を混同しないこと——「straight up」は氷でシェイクまたはステアしてから濾した状態(グラスに氷なし)で、「neat」はそもそも氷を一切使わないという意味'니트(neat)'와 '스트레이트 업(straight up)'을 혼동하지 마세요 — '스트레이트 업'은 얼음과 함께 흔들거나 저은 후 걸러낸 것(잔에 얼음 없음)이고, '니트'는 처음부터 얼음이 전혀 관여하지 않은 것입니다
Origin & History
From the old English 'neat' meaning pure or undiluted. Used in bar culture since at least the 18th century. Remains standard American bar terminology.
Cultural Context
Era: 18th century onwards in bar culture
Generation: All ages (21+)
Social background: Universal
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