Message 17660 of 39188 in General Discussion

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> There of course is also the problem of people just getting used to a 
> poorly made product, and obtaining a flavor memory that tells them 
> this is the way it "should" taste. 

Yes, I've encountered this when I've made scratch margaritas in the bar.  I 
have to confess that in order to be consistent with management I do use Finest 
Call mix in my margaritas along with a couple squeezes of lime (but I go light 
on the mix, honest!).  But when someone orders a Topshelf Margarita or I run a 
special on the Classic Margarita (silver tequila, Cointreau) I go all fresh.  
Most of the time people love it.  They take that first drink and then break 
out with a really big smile and give me a nod when they realize how much 
better this is than what they were expecting.  But on a couple of occasions 
I've had a customer who found it to be too strong or just not what they were 
used to (loads of mix with a hint of tequila) and I sweetened it up for them.  
Yes, sadly enough it is entirely possible for someone to be trained to enjoy 
the artificial product better than the real thing.

I almost got myself in trouble with another customer who asked for a Tanqueray 
and Tonic with Rose's lime juice in it.  I asked if she still wanted a lime in 
it, she said yes, but she likes a bit more lime flavor.  I said I could put 
two (or three) limes in it, she said she wanted it sweeter.  I said I could 
throw in the extra lime and some simple syrup, at this point she started 
getting irritated and said, "Well that's just the way I want it so why don't 
you just put it in?" and of course I did just that.  There are so many tenders 
who just have no idea how to make cocktails from fresh ingredients, that whole 
conversation must have been a first for her.  And in my attempts to make a 
better, purer drink I almost rubbed this lady the wrong way (I lightened 
things up later by talking to her and her friends but she was pretty indignant 
at my daring to question her preference of drink ingredients).