Back in January, I used a column to explore what goes into some common but elaborate drinks. I’ve again noticed that many people seem confused about what makes a drink, even if they or their friends order it regularly. I personally never order a drink unless I know what’s in it, so figuring it out is important to me. These recipes are according to the International Bartender’s Association, by the way.

A commonly ordered drink at some Collegetown bars.

Long Island Iced Tea
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce tequila
1 ounce white rum
1 ounce gin
1 ounce triple sec
1 2/3 ounces lemon juice
2 ounce gomme syrup
dash cola
ice
Pour ingredients over ice and stir.

Yeah, I had no idea what gomme syrup was either. You could make it yourself by boiling sugar and water, then dissolving gum powder into the mix — strain before use. OR you could just make a more realistic version of this drink and switch the lemon juice and gomme syrup for 1 ½ ounces sour mix.

Something I’ve seen some friends order several times recently.

Manhattan
2 ounces rye canadian whiskey
1 ounces sweet vermouth
dash Angostura bitters
cherry garnish
ice
Stir with ice and strain into a (old fashioned) glass. Garnish with cherry; serve straight up (without ice).

And for those whose life goal is to be more like The Dude...

White Russian
1 ounce coffee liqueur (e.g. Kahlua)
2 ½ ounces vodka
1 ½ ounces cream
Pour coffee liqueur and vodka into a (old fashioned) glass filled with ice. Float cream on top and stir in slowly.

By the way, since it came up for two of these drinks, an old fashioned glass is a short tumbler glass that fits eight to 12 ounces.