Arizona woman asks for a Martini unheard of and still leaves angry: ‘I’d look at her ID again’
Watch a drinks 101 YouTube video before going out next time.
Ever been stuck behind “that” person at the bar who treats a busy bartender like a personal mixology tutor? A recent viral TikTok from creator and bartender Elizabeth Thorne (@elizabeththorne_) has set a new gold standard for beverage-induced confusion. And of course, it has to be a Martini.
In the video, which has amassed over 711,000 views, Elizabeth details an incident a customer asked for a martini. But, she explicitly rejected the very things that make it one. According to her, the woman requested a raspberry martini using Tito’s. When Elizabeth explained to her that drink doesn’t exist and offered a substitute, she agreed.
But when the drink arrived, she was baffled it didn’t come looking like a poolside refreshment. As Elizabeth noted in her caption, “Martinis are always a problem I swear”.
The ‘Martini with Tito’s’ in plastic cup order
According to Elizabeth, the customer initially asked for a “raspberry martini using Tito’s.” Since the bar didn’t have raspberry Tito’s or flavoring, Elizabeth improvised with a mix of Three Olives raspberry vodka and Tito’s, shaken and served in a martini glass. However, the customer immediately requested that she wants it in a plastic cup instead.
The situation dissolved further when the drink was delivered. The customer stared at the small amount of liquid in the plastic cup and demanded to know where the ice was. When Elizabeth explained that martinis don’t typically come with ice, the customer remained stuck in a loop of confusion, unable to grasp why her “martini” wasn’t a full-sized iced drink.
What is a Martini, anyway?
The sheer audacity of the order has sparked a massive debate about the death of basic bar literacy. A classic martini is made with gin and dry vermouth, typically garnished with an olive or a lemon twist. Over time, vodka has become an incredibly popular substitute for gin. Yet, the core of the drink remains a high-proof, spirit-forward experience.
If you ask for a martini but expect a large, iced beverage in a plastic cup, you are essentially asking for a mixed drink or a “vodka soda” vibe. You don’t need to use the vocabulary of a high-end cocktail and confuse your bartender to get that.
The ‘Dirty’ and ‘Dry’ variety
Part of the confusion stems from the fact that the word “martini” has been hijacked by every sugar-filled concoction served in a V-shaped glass. However, true martinis generally fall into a few categories. We have Dry Martinis, which uses very little vermouth, followed by Dirty Martini, which Includes a splash of olive brine (and usually an extra olive or three).
Then there’s Gibson, which is a standard martini garnished with a pickled onion instead of an olive. Moving away from the classics, you must’ve heard about Appletini/Espresso. These are technically martinis in name only, usually swapping the vermouth for fruit liqueurs or espresso. But even these still require a base spirit like vodka.
Do Martinis come with ice?
To be very clear: No. A martini is stirred or shaken with ice to achieve a bone-chilling temperature. But the ice is strained out before it hits the glass. Serving a martini “on the rocks” is a specific request for those who want their spirit diluted and chilled over time. So, if you’re handed a plastic cup and ask “where’s the ice,” you aren’t looking for a martini. You’re probably looking for a cocktail on the rocks.
Martini vs. Margarita: The tequila mix-up
The internet’s favorite theory regarding Elizabeth’s customer is that she actually wanted a Raspberry Margarita. There is a recurring “Tito’s Trap” in bars where customers mistakenly believe Tito’s (a vodka) is a universal spirit or even a type of Tequila.
The difference is simple but vital. A Margarita is Tequila-based with lime juice and agave or triple sec. A Martini is Gin/Vodka-based and spirit-heavy. If you’re asking for a “martini” but want it fruity, iced, and in a casual cup, you are spiritually in the mixed-drink territory, not the martini lounge.
Everyone on TikTok felt the frustration
The comments section turned into a support group for bartenders who have reached their limit with confused ordering. “She for sure wanted a margarita and for some reason thinks Tito’s is Tequila,” one viewer remarked, highlighting the common spirit mix-up.
“I once made an espresso martini for a lady and she sent it back because it had a ‘really strong coffee flavor.’ Like lady, it’s coffee!” another added, proving that some customers are beyond help. “I’d look at her ID again,” a third joked, suggesting the order was giving “first time at a bar” energy.
If you don’t want to be the subject of your local bartender’s next TikTok, it’s really not rocket science to order the right drink. Rule no. 1: Never order a drink just because it sounds sophisticated. We don’t know if the customer ever figured out what they were actually trying to drink. But for your next night-out, remember, a martini in a plastic cup without ice is just a fast-track to a bad time and a confused bartender.
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