Are Bartenders And Mixologists Actually All That Different?

Mixologist is a fancy-sounding term that's been thrown around quite a lot in recent years, especially at the kind of trendy craft cocktail bars where every drink comes with a garnish (and it's not just for aesthetics). If you've ever wondered if "mixologist" is just a posh way to say bartender, you're not alone. However, it turns out there are some important practical differences between the two titles. 

First, let's define our terms: according to Merriam-Webster, a bartender is any person who serves drinks at a bar, while a mixologist is defined as "a bartender skilled in preparing mixed drinks." In other words, anyone who goes behind a bar and pours a drink can call themself a bartender, but earning the title of mixologist requires a bit more specialization.

In practice, bartenders tend to focus first and foremost on the act of serving drinks to customers. While a good bartender should know how to mix up the entire cocktail canon from memory, their priority is customer service — making drinks quickly and efficiently, managing the bar, and keeping guests happy and comfortable. Mixologists, in contrast, are far more involved in the flavor science and experimentation side of the business. Mixologists often play around with innovative techniques and unexpected ingredients (such as the powerhouse sauce that belongs in your cocktails). They're experts in the art and science of crafting mixed drinks, and they might spend more time experimenting and creating specialty tipples and custom cocktails than serving drinks to customers.

Mixologist sounds like trendy hipster slang, but it turns out the word dates all the way back to the mid-19th century. One of the earliest recorded uses is in an 1856 edition of Knickerbocker Magazine, where it was used in jest to poke fun at the pompous nature of certain bartenders. However, the term remained relatively niche until around 2000, when it exploded in popularity. So-called mixologists and references to mixology have dramatically spiked over the last quarter-century, and in its modern context, the term hasn't escaped the lightly mocking nature of its origins.

There's no denying that the word mixologist inspired mixed feelings for bartenders and customers alike. As one person on the subreddit r/bartenders wrote, "Mixologists serve drinks, bartenders serve people." Another user put it more bluntly, saying that the difference between a mixologist and a bartender is "about $10 per drink." However, like a good craft cocktail, these terms are far more complex and nuanced than meets the eye. Mixologists aren't just fancypants bartenders vending overpriced and overcomplicated beverages, and bartenders, no matter what they choose to call themselves, can certainly be experts in the art and science of crafting a great cocktail. One thing, however, is crystal clear: whether you're being served by a bartender or a mixologist, you should never say these things when ordering a drink at a bar.