Can every bar make a basic drink not on the menu?

[Sabre407]

This will be my first time on Carnival. Can I order a simple drink at any bar onboard? 

Edited November 16, 2022 by Sabre407

[MistyRo76]

If you mean something like a rum & cola, screwdriver, margarita, etc. Yes - any bar can make a basic type drink. But you find some specialty drinks are only served at certain locations usually because they require certain types of liquor that aren't stocked at every bar. On my last cruise, we had a drink called a Whimsey Scarlett in the aft lounge during a comedy show. But we couldn't get it any at other bar. 

[ray98]

Maybe....some bartenders are better than others.

[Sabre407]

33 minutes ago, MistyRo76 said:

If you mean something like a rum & cola, screwdriver, margarita, etc. Yes - any bar can make a basic type drink. But you find some specialty drinks are only served at certain locations usually because they require certain types of liquor that aren't stocked at every bar. On my last cruise, we had a drink called a Whimsey Scarlett in the aft lounge during a comedy show. But we couldn't get it any at other bar. 

It’s a diet rum and pepsi or screwdriver. Basic drinks. Everything I’ve seen on the menus looks to be too sugary. Thanks!

[Juncti]

For the most part as long as they have the ingredients. Though the quality can vary wildly. 

 

When we went about 2 months ago I ordered Old Fashions at a few different places, they were all made way different and some were nearly undrinkable. One was literally whiskey on the rocks with a cherry tossed in for example.

 

So they can make what's on the menu fairly consistently, but doesn't seem like all know how to make an extensive list of drinks off the menu. 

[iria64]

I ordered an old fashioned at a couple of different bars (2 or 3 bars).  They were all slightly different.  I think the biggest difference is one of the bars had dark cherries rather than maraschino.

[dedede]

Any recommendation for which bar on the Valor to go to that can make good standards such as classic martini, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, whiskey sour?

[Elaine5715]

I ordered a Lemon Drop in the Steakhouse on the Miracle once and got pure vodka with a big lemon chunk floating in the middle.  Ordered it at Alchemy and it was sheer heaven.   

[samiam0403]

50 minutes ago, dedede said:

Any recommendation for which bar on the Valor to go to that can make good standards such as classic martini, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, whiskey sour?

Alchemy Bar. They make great classics, with much better ingredients. 

[bluetardis]

The Alchemy bar is a must on any Carnival cruise

[dedede]

Great - it looks like I'll be spending time there!

[keels81]

1 hour ago, dedede said:

Any recommendation for which bar on the Valor to go to that can make good standards such as classic martini, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, whiskey sour?

Casino Bar, Alchemy and the Sports Bar all have fantastic bartenders.

[samiam0403]

44 minutes ago, keels81 said:

Casino Bar, Alchemy and the Sports Bar all have fantastic bartenders.

The bartenders are all really great, but Alchemy was the only bar where they didn't muddle the fruit and add club soda to my Old Fashioneds. 🤢

[Joebucks]

Welcome to most bars across the world. I never trust the bartenders to know how to make a drink that's not on their menu, unless they are mixologists. Alchemy is your best bet to get a bartender that knows how to make stuff. 

[cruisinpips]

To each his/her own, but in all our cruises (32), not all with Alchemy, I have never had a drink at Alchemy that I would order again. I avoid those drinks and carry my own to the bar when visiting. Not sure why, but every drink I’ve ever had at Alchemy gave me the worse case of heartburn ever. Although they look and sound good on the menu, I simply cannot drink them. Give me a Crown and diet, and I’m happy…unless it’s diet Pepsi…😳. I have steered towards Mojitos or Titos with a mixer of late… 

[ledges1]

I ordered a "dark and stormy" at the Alchemy Bar on the Horizon. Bar tender had to check if he had the ingredients. Made it with Myers dark rum, not Gosling. It was good, strong and expensive. Did not feel the need to order a second.

[MistyRo76]

23 hours ago, Sabre407 said:

It’s a diet rum and pepsi or screwdriver. Basic drinks. Everything I’ve seen on the menus looks to be too sugary. Thanks!

 

During the day, head up to the Serenity area and get drinks from the bar there. They have some good lighter options - Sangrias, Sparkling drinks, skinny cocktails, etc. Along with other frozen concoctions and standard fare! 

[odis]

On 11/16/2022 at 1:04 PM, Juncti said:

For the most part as long as they have the ingredients. Though the quality can vary wildly. 

 

When we went about 2 months ago I ordered Old Fashions at a few different places, they were all made way different and some were nearly undrinkable. One was literally whiskey on the rocks with a cherry tossed in for example.

 

So they can make what's on the menu fairly consistently, but doesn't seem like all know how to make an extensive list of drinks off the menu. 

Same experience.  The regular bartenders are good for any drink limited to liquor with soda, juice, or a premix. You can order the same drink from 2 different bartenders (even at the same bar) and they will be different. As others have said, go to Alchemy if you want a specialty cocktail.  The bartenders there will even tell you if they cannot or are not sure how to make it.   

[CruizinSusan70]

On 11/16/2022 at 6:11 PM, keels81 said:

Casino Bar, Alchemy and the Sports Bar all have fantastic bartenders.

The people on the other side of the bar at Alchemy are mixologists that have the wherewithal to concoct drinks off menu.  Most of the other bars on board have bartenders that tend to stick with the standard menu that their bar provides.

[EngIceDave]

I doubt every bartender onboard (or land) can still whip up a tasty Gibson

[keels81]

1 hour ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

The people on the other side of the bar at Alchemy are mixologists that have the wherewithal to concoct drinks off menu.  Most of the other bars on board have bartenders that tend to stick with the standard menu that their bar provides.

 

I stand by what I said. And the bartenders at Brass Magnolia, Bourbon Bar and Fortune Teller on the Mardi Gras were better than the Alchemy bartenders in what they could make.

[CruizinSusan70]

22 minutes ago, keels81 said:

 

I stand by what I said. And the bartenders at Brass Magnolia, Bourbon Bar and Fortune Teller on the Mardi Gras were better than the Alchemy bartenders in what they could make.

You're entitled to your opinion, but the mixologists at all of the Alchemy Bars in the fleet have the experience and capabilities to go off the menu and concoct something nice.

The drinks at the Fortune Teller were more for show than substance and the offerings at Brass Magnolia were not worth more than the occasional change from Alchemy.  

By Bourbon Bar, I will infer you're referring to the Pig and Anchor.

[keels81]

Just now, CruizinSusan70 said:

You're entitled to your opinion, but the mixologists at all of the Alchemy Bars in the fleet have the experience and capabilities to go off the menu and concoct something nice.

The drinks at the Fortune Teller were more for show than substance and the offerings at Brass Magnolia were not worth more than the occasional change from Alchemy.  

By Bourbon Bar, I will infer you're referring to the Pig and Anchor.

 The Alchemy Bar doesn't offer high-end spirits and rely on too much "mixology" to make a true cocktail. I've never been able to find an Alchemist that can make a Hemingway daiquiri or a decent Old Fashioned with decent bourbon.

 

Steakhouse and Casino Bar always can make a traditional cocktail with high end spirits, so that's where I go. 

 

So you don't have to worry about me taking up a seat at the Alchemy.

 

 

[nlktx49]

On 11/16/2022 at 8:28 PM, cruisinpips said:

To each his/her own, but in all our cruises (32), not all with Alchemy, I have never had a drink at Alchemy that I would order again. I avoid those drinks and carry my own to the bar when visiting. Not sure why, but every drink I’ve ever had at Alchemy gave me the worse case of heartburn ever. Although they look and sound good on the menu, I simply cannot drink them. Give me a Crown and diet, and I’m happy…unless it’s diet Pepsi…😳. I have steered towards Mojitos or Titos with a mixer of late… 

Too bad they no longer have Crown on any ships. My husband's favorite was Crown and water. Now it's Woodford and water. He says it's not as good as Crown.

[CruiserLucas]

During our trip on Horizon last year the piano bar bartender made a perfect dirty martini. One of the best I've had on Carnival or many land bars I've been to. I'm also not a huge fan of Alchemy, however, the bartenders are usually very good at making you something off-menu with ingredients/flavors you tell them you like (if it's not busy - don't be a jerk and give them something complicated during the rush lol).