If you’ve ever worked behind a bar, you’re probably familiar with one of the most common requests from customers – the desire for a little extra kick in their drinks.
It’s a scenario that plays out regularly, even though cocktails typically adhere to standardized measurements. American bartender Ben Smith, known as @benjispears on TikTok, has stepped in to provide some valuable insights to his 1.5 million followers on how he handles this all-too-familiar situation. Check out the video here:
In the video, a trainee bartender is informed by someone off-camera that a customer is dissatisfied with the strength of their strawberry margarita. The customer wants more alcohol without paying extra, creating a classic hospitality challenge.
This is where Ben, standing alongside the trainee, shares some industry secrets. He starts by saying, “Do you know what to do in this situation?”
The trainee proceeds to add an extra shot of sour mix to the drink, which Ben approves of. However, he goes on to explain the additional steps he takes in similar situations.
He continues, “First, I would switch the glassware. Often, the guest just wants to feel heard. So, we’ll change the glass, and she’ll think it’s significantly better.” Ben discards the remnants of the previous drink that couldn’t fit in the new glass, adds a bit more sour mix, and garnishes the drink.
“Let me grab another lime,” he says, “We’ll give her two limes to make her really feel appreciated.”
Ben adds a nice straw, and voilà!
The caption on TikTok reads, “I don’t think I need to train her, do I?!?!”
This short clip has gone viral, amassing over five million views on the platform, along with 475.1k likes and numerous comments from people eager to share their reactions to this clever tip.
Many found the trick hilarious, with one TikTok user commenting, “Lmao, it literally has less alcohol; you threw some of it away!” Another wrote, “The fact that they lost some alcohol but think it’s better,” accompanied by laughing emojis.
A third remarked, “They order a super sweet cocktail and then complain they can’t taste the tequila!”
“I will never trust a bartender again,” revealed a fourth, followed by more laughing emojis, “but I get it.”
Upon learning of the trick, another confessed, “I will never send back a drink again ever!”
Experienced bartenders even shared another hack known as the ‘straw trick’ for dealing with picky customers.
One revealed, “I just pour some booze in the straw!”
“Put a splash in the straw,” added a second, “works every time!”
A third chimed in, saying, “I put alcohol on the straw, along with doing all that as well!”
Have you ever encountered the ‘straw trick’?
