When you walk up to a bar and order a drink, chances are you want something that hits the spot—not a glass full of ice with just a splash of your actual drink. It’s a common frustration: ordering a cocktail that’s half ice, half liquid, only to watch your drink melt into watery oblivion. So, naturally, many people ask for “no ice” as a way to avoid that.
But one bartender, Jemima June, recently sparked a fiery debate online when she filmed herself confronting a customer who made the classic mistake of assuming that ordering a drink with “no ice” meant more alcohol in the glass. The customer, who had ordered a tequila cranberry, was convinced that without ice, the bartender would just fill the glass up with more booze.
@jemimajune_ ♬ original sound – Jemima June
However, Jemima wasn’t having it. In the video, we can hear the customer shout “no ice” over the loud music, and she responds calmly but firmly: “Just because you say no ice, that doesn’t mean you’re going to get more alcohol.” She then explained that the only way to get more alcohol was to order a double. “That means you’re going to get more alcohol,” she adds, letting the customer know there are no shortcuts.
The video quickly went viral, with many chiming in to share their thoughts. Some viewers sided with the customer, saying things like, “Never once in my life have I expected more alcohol when asking for no ice… doubt anyone has lol.” Others joked about the situation, suggesting maybe the customer had sensitive teeth or even poking fun at the bartender’s refusal to top up the drink with a little extra juice. “Bro just give him more—it’s not like it’s coming out of your paycheck,” one person quipped.
On the flip side, there were plenty of viewers who supported Jemima’s stance, claiming that she wasn’t rude and that bartenders get asked these kinds of questions all the time. “She wasn’t even rude, that’s just how bartenders talk,” one comment read. Another added, “Ya want more drink at home, we tryina make money!” Some even pointed out that it’s likely she gets asked the same thing countless times per night, so her response was totally understandable.
While no ice may not mean more alcohol, a simple splash of extra mixer might have solved the problem and made everyone happy. But, as we know, bartenders have their own ways of running things, and sometimes it’s just part of the job to lay down the law.
What do you think? Should bartenders give a little extra juice, or is it better to stick strictly to the rules? Let us know in the comments or share this with your friends to see what they think!
