Neat

Neat is a term that is often used in the context of serving and drinking alcoholic beverages. When a drink is ordered "neat", it is served alone without any mixers, ice, or water. It is simply the pure, undiluted spirit poured directly into the glass. This method of serving is most commonly associated with whiskey, but can be applied to most distilled spirits.

Etymology

The term "neat" in this context is believed to have originated from the old French word "net", meaning "clean" or "pure". This would make sense, as a neat drink is just that - a clean, pure serving of alcohol without any additions.

Usage

Ordering a drink neat is often done to appreciate the full flavor of the spirit. It is a popular choice for high-quality, aged spirits such as single malt whisky, bourbon, and cognac. However, it can be a bit strong for those not used to drinking spirits straight, as the lack of mixers or water means the alcohol content is not diluted.

Comparison with other serving methods

There are several other methods of serving spirits that are similar to, but distinct from, serving them neat. These include:

• On the rocks: The spirit is served over ice. This can slightly dilute the drink and also chill it, which can change the flavor profile.
• Straight up: The spirit is chilled, usually by shaking with ice, and then strained into the glass. This also dilutes the drink slightly, but less so than serving it on the rocks.
• With a water back: The spirit is served neat alongside a glass of water. The drinker can sip the water alongside the spirit to cleanse their palate.

See also

• Cocktail
• Distilled beverage
• List of cocktails

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