European Bartender School Practice Test 2026 – Your All-in-One Guide to Master Bartending Excellence!

In cocktail service, a back is a non-alcoholic drink served alongside a cocktail to pace drinking and cleanse the palate. This pairing gives the guest a refreshing option between sips of the cocktail, helps manage sweetness and alcohol impact, and keeps flavors clear for tasting. Common backs include water, soda, juice, or a non-alcoholic beverage, sometimes presented in a separate glass.

It’s not a garnish, it isn’t the ice bucket, and it isn’t a type of glass, so those options don’t describe its purpose. The back is all about offering a complementary, non-alcoholic option to support the drinking experience.