A well drink, also known as a rail drink, is a mixed alcoholic beverage made using the bar's lower-cost or "house" liquors that are kept within easy reach of the bartender in an area called the "well" or "speed rail"-a rack or shelf near the bartender's workspace
. These liquors are typically the cheapest brands available at the bar and are used by default when a customer does not specify a particular brand of liquor for their drink
. Well drinks commonly include liquors such as vodka, rum, gin, whiskey, bourbon, tequila, triple sec, and vermouth mixed with soft drinks, juices, or other mixers
. Examples of well drinks are rum and coke, vodka soda, whiskey and coke, and tequila sunrise
. They are generally less expensive than "call" drinks, which are made with specific requested brands, or "top-shelf" drinks, which use premium liquors
. The name "well drink" comes from the location of these liquors in the bar- the well or speed rail-allowing bartenders to quickly prepare drinks using these accessible spirits
. A typical well drink contains about 1 to 2 ounces of liquor combined with mixers, served in an 8 to 12-ounce glass
. In summary:
- Made with the bar's cheapest, house liquors kept in the "well"
- Used when no specific brand is requested
- Mixed with soft drinks, juices, or other mixers
- Less expensive than call or top-shelf drinks
- Examples: rum and coke, vodka soda, whiskey and coke
- Name derives from the liquor's location in the bar's well or speed rail
