> I've yet to see any government document that states a lime/lemon
> squeeze is not an ingredient, and I've yet to meet anyone that can
> confirm or deny this. It's something that's not been clarified, and
> that comes from the people that work for weights and measures. ;)
Well, I'm glad to oblige!
Unfortunately the first link I gave got slightly munged by the forum, although
the second, more practical summary was also quite clear in the wording.
Here are the words again, right from the guys you need to hear it from. :-)
http://tinyurl.com/26a8dn
Specifically:
-----------------------
The Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) Order 1988
3.
(2) Any such liquor shall be exempted from the requirements of this article
when it forms a constituent of a mixture of three or more liquids.
-----------------------
So, Myth Busted! A lime wedge cannot be called a liquid, and is not enough to
trigger the cocktail exception.
Thus, it looks technically illegal to make a well balanced Martini, Rusty Nail
or Black Russian, and your G&T always has to be a perfect unit measure (unless
you print the measurements on the menu or something).
The law looks like a bit of an ass here, no? And given that document, I
understand that some landlords would play it safe.
There's a chance this order has been modified since 88, but until such an
amendment can be located, I'd say it's pretty clear in its wording.
.dan.
[edit]
I figure you will fine however if the customer ASKS for their own proportions
- I'd think that will fall under the "unless otherwise stated" clause 3.(1)b