Straight up (bartending)

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Straight up is a term used in bartending. A drink that has been mixed with ice, but is served without it is said to be served straight up. This is contrasted by drinks served on the rocks. Straight up drinks are usually stirred or shaken with ice, and then poured through a strainer into a serving glass to remove the ice. Cocktail glasses are most commonly used to serve a drink straight up. One of the most popular drinks that is usually served straight up is the martini.

"Straight up" is often incorrectly used to mean "neat". However, Neat is defined by Wiktionary as "Undiluted, or without the admixture of another substance" (including frozen and liquid water). Used when describing spirits. Thus, a Cuba Libre can be served straight up (without ice), but could never be served "neat", because it's a mixed drink. Also, vodka stored in a freezer and served from bottle to glass is served neat even though it is cold.