Call Drink
Also known as: call, specified brand
A cocktail ordered by specifying the exact brand of spirit to be used, such as asking for a Tanqueray and Tonic.
A call drink is a cocktail ordered by specifying the exact brand of spirit to be used, as opposed to accepting the house well spirit. This middle tier between well and top-shelf lets you control quality and flavor profile. The term call comes from calling out the brand name when ordering. Instead of just ordering a gin and tonic, you call for Tanqueray and tonic or Hendricks and tonic. This tells the bartender to use that specific brand rather than the well gin. Call drinks cost more than well drinks but less than top-shelf. The pricing reflects the intermediate cost of these mid-range spirits. Most bars have clear pricing tiers, and bartenders can explain what constitutes a call versus well or premium spirit. Calling your spirit makes sense when you have a brand preference. Different vodkas, gins, whiskeys, and other spirits taste distinct. If you know you prefer Titos to other vodkas, calling it ensures you get what you want. Calling also makes sense when the well is unknown or questionable. Rather than gambling on whatever is in the well, specify a brand you know and trust. The modest upcharge buys certainty. The flavor difference between call and well depends on both the specific brands and the drink. In simple highballs where the mixer dominates, the spirit difference may be subtle. In spirit-forward drinks or those with less mixer, calling a quality brand makes a more noticeable difference. Common call spirits include recognizable mid-tier brands. Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, or Hendricks for gin. Titos, Grey Goose, or Ketel One for vodka. Jack Daniels, Jameson, or Makers Mark for whiskey. These represent the typical call tier. Learning what you like helps call effectively. Try different brands of your preferred spirit to develop preferences. Then you can confidently call specific brands that suit your taste. Some craft cocktail bars have blurred the traditional well-call-premium distinction by stocking quality spirits throughout. At these establishments, the well may be perfectly acceptable, making calling less necessary.
💡 Pro Tips
- Calling ensures you get your preferred brand
- Expect to pay more than well prices but less than top-shelf
- Useful when you know you prefer a specific spirit
- Ask what the price difference is if cost matters
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not knowing brand names to call
- Calling unnecessarily expensive spirits for heavily mixed drinks
- Confusing call with top shelf
- Assuming call is always necessary - some wells are quality
