How to Order Drinks in Spanish Like a Local: Key Phrases and Commands

When you're in Spain or Latin America, being able to order drinks at a bar confidently can open doors to a more authentic experience. In this blog, we’ll guide you through essential Spanish phrases and commands to make ordering drinks smooth and enjoyable, so you can feel like a local. Learn how to ask for a drink, specify your preferences, and engage with bartenders using common expressions. Let’s dive in!

Key Vocabulary to Order Drinks in Spanish like a Local

Here’s a quick list of key vocabulary to help you start ordering drinks in Spanish:

• Una cerveza – A beer

  • Example: “¿Me pones una cerveza, por favor?” (Can you serve me a beer, please?)

• Una copa de vino – A glass of wine

  • Example: “Ponme una copa de vino tinto.” (Serve me a glass of red wine.)

• Un cóctel – A cocktail

  • Example: “Quisiera un cóctel, por favor.” (I’d like a cocktail, please.)

• Un refresco – A soda

  • Example: “¿Tienen refresco de manzana?” (Do you have apple soda?)

• Una caña – A small beer

  • Example: “Una caña de cerveza, por favor.” (A small beer, please.)

• Una jarra – A pitcher

  • Example: “Ponme una jarra de sangría.” (Serve me a pitcher of sangria.)

Options

• Con hielo / Sin hielo – With ice / Without ice

  • Example: “Un gin-tonic, sin hielo, por favor.” (A gin and tonic, without ice, please.)

• Con alcohol / Sin alcohol – Alcoholic / Non-alcoholic

  • Example: “¿Tienen cervezas sin alcohol?” (Do you have non-alcoholic beers?)

Essential Commands and Phrases for the Bar

Once you’re ready to order, these commands will be your go-to. They’re commonly used in Spain and Latin America and will help you order with confidence.

1. ¿Me pones...? – Can you serve me...?

   • Example: “¿Me pones una cerveza?” (Can you serve me a beer?)

2. Ponme… – Serve me...

   • Example: “Ponme dos tintos de verano.” (Serve me two glasses of summer wine.)

3. De la casa – House drink

   • Example: “Un vino de la casa, por favor.” (House wine, please.)

4. Un gin-tonic, sin hielo, por favor.

   • Meaning: A gin and tonic, without ice, please.

Mini-Dialogues to Practice

These sample dialogues give you a realistic way to practice ordering drinks and interacting with bartenders.

Mini-Conversation 1

Cliente: ¡Perdón! ¿Me pones una copa de vino tinto, por favor?

(Excuse me! Can you serve me a glass of red wine, please?)

Camarero: Claro, ¿de la casa o una marca especial?

(Of course, house wine or a special brand?)

Cliente: De la casa está bien, gracias.

(House wine is fine, thank you.)

Mini-Conversation 2

Cliente: Disculpe, ¿tienen algo sin alcohol?

(Excuse me, do you have something non-alcoholic?)

Camarero: Sí, tenemos cervezas sin alcohol y refrescos.

(Yes, we have non-alcoholic beers and soft drinks.)

Cliente: Perfecto, un refresco de manzana, por favor.

(Perfect, an apple soda, please.)

Mini-Conversation 3

Cliente: Hola, ponme una botella de agua, por favor.

(Hi, serve me a bottle of water, please)

Camarero: Vale, ¿con o sin gas?

(Ok, with or without gas?)

Cliente: Sin gas, por favor.

(Without gas, please.)

Mini-Conversation 4

Cliente: ¡Oye, me toca! ¿Me pones una sangría?

(Hey, it’s my turn! Can you give me a sangria?)

Camarero: Por supuesto, ¿un vaso o una jarra?

(Of course, a glass or a pitcher?)

Cliente: Un vaso, por favor.

(A glass, please.)

INTERACTIVE PRACTICE:

How to Order Drinks Like a Local

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