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Original poster

To expect barman to know what a lemon and lime is.

317 replies

girlfriend44 · 09/04/2025 19:57

Couldn't believe it today. Had this drink loads with no problem.

Barman had no clue what a lemon and lime was. Gave up and ordered something else, a coffee instead.

OP posts:
MinkyWales · 09/04/2025 21:12

I worked in pubs for years, and would have asked for clarification on "lemon and lime." Lemonade with a slice of lime? With a dash of lime cordial? My customers would have asked for lemonade with a dash of lime. The trend was towards the slightly more refreshing lime and soda, though. (Possibly because it was cheaper.)

Wildegeese · 09/04/2025 21:12

Is it possible he thought you meant lager and lime? That's the first thing that came into my head.

Bluevelvetsofa · 09/04/2025 21:11

St Clement’s has always been orange juice and lemonade to me, but I expect bitter lemon would do and I a see the point. The last time I wanted one, I had to explain it.

NorthernSpirit · 09/04/2025 21:09

The difference between ginger beer & ginger ale come are down to how they are made, their flavour, and their uses:

Ginger Beer is brewed and fermented. It has a richer, deeper flavour due to the fermentation process. It has a stronger, spicier, and more ginger flavour. It’s usually cloudy looking. Used a lot in cocktails because of its bold flavour.

Ginger Ale is a carbonated soft drink flavoured with ginger extract or syrup. It’s milder, sweeter, and lighter in taste, clear and less intense. Often drunk on its with a spirit.

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 09/04/2025 21:07

OneWildNightWithJBJ · 09/04/2025 20:58

Maybe, but surely if you knew what 'lemonade and lime' meant, you'd realise what they meant by 'lemon and lime'? Or perhaps not...

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Because lemon and lemonade are two very different things and most bars would have both of them.

BashfulClam · 09/04/2025 21:06

I’ve never heard it called a lemon and lime. Lemonade and lime I order quite often.

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 09/04/2025 21:06

NorthernSpirit · 09/04/2025 21:03

I own, run a bar and am a trained cocktail mixologist.

I’ve never heard of this - so guessing it must be a regional thing?

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🤣 This says it all

CountryQueen · 09/04/2025 21:05

Very retro of you to ask for a lemon and lime 🤣

If you’d asked for half a lemonade with a dash of lime cordial I’m sure he’d have understood.

It is so obvious you stood there being huffy and weird and trying to make him feel stupid before flouncing off with a coffee. Bizarre behaviour

Sparklepoet · 09/04/2025 21:04

@girlfriend44 I'm not sure I understand what happened. When you explained to the barman that you wanted lemonade with lime cordial in it, what was his response? You had clarified what "lemon and lime" meant, so I'm not sure how he didn't understand that?

NorthernSpirit · 09/04/2025 21:03

girlfriend44 · 09/04/2025 20:12

It's lemonade with some lime cordial.
Served with some ice, it's a gorgeous drink on a warm day.🙄

I own, run a bar and am a trained cocktail mixologist.

I’ve never heard of this - so guessing it must be a regional thing?

WilfredsPies · 09/04/2025 21:02

girlfriend44 · 09/04/2025 20:00

Yes that happened, but he still didn't get it as there was a queue I gave up.

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A fully functioning adult didn’t understand that you wanted a lemonade with a dash of lime cordial? 🤨

Exactly what words did you use to explain it to him? Did you continue calling it lemon? Or did you actually say ‘lemonade’?

PeskyRooks · 09/04/2025 21:01

Bramble25 · 09/04/2025 20:23

Ha-I know this drink, OP. Team lemon and lime! Maybe it’s regional? I was thinking the other day about how you do t hear much or cider and black, or guiness and black these days.

Or snakebite and black!

x2boys · 09/04/2025 21:00

Latenightreader · 09/04/2025 20:07

I once had an argument with a barman who insisted that ginger ale and ginger beer were the same thing (I'd ordered a gin and ginger ale and got ginger beer). He refused to believe they were separate beverages, despite me showing him the words on the label (and yes the pub sold both). I don't think he could accept he had made a mistake...

I would have said lemonade and lime rather than lemon and lime, but I would have had a pretty good idea and checked before pouring.

Edited

Are they ,i always thought they were the same too.

queenofthesuburbs · 09/04/2025 21:00

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 09/04/2025 20:49

Why wouldn't you say lemonade? Lemonade and lime, nobody could be confused by that.

If someone asked me for lemon and lime I'd have to check what they meant.

Because lemon and lime sort of rolls off the tongue.

OneWildNightWithJBJ · 09/04/2025 20:58

DappledThings · 09/04/2025 20:56

The three extra letters "ade" make a big difference between your clear request and OP's ambiguous one

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Maybe, but surely if you knew what 'lemonade and lime' meant, you'd realise what they meant by 'lemon and lime'? Or perhaps not...

Thursa · 09/04/2025 20:57

St Clemente’s was orange juice and bitter lemon back in my barmaid days.

DoYouReally · 09/04/2025 20:57

I wish he handed you a lemon and a lime!

If fairness to him, if you can't clearly articulate, I would like a lemonade with a dash of lime, maybe he isn't the problem.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 09/04/2025 20:57

OneWildNightWithJBJ · 09/04/2025 20:55

I'm completely surprised at bar people on here never having heard it before! I've often ordered a lemonade and lime over the past 30 years and have never had so much as a look of confusion!! It's totally normal where I am (London/Herts).

Edited

Nobody's disputing it's an everyday drink. It's whether everyone would know that 'lemon and lime' is actually lemonade and lime and not something else like Sprite or a bitter lemon with lime.

Napface · 09/04/2025 20:56

I used to have it when I went to the pub with my parents in the 90s...I haven't seen or heard of it since though. I fancy one now 😂 you're making me all nostalgic

DappledThings · 09/04/2025 20:56

OneWildNightWithJBJ · 09/04/2025 20:55

I'm completely surprised at bar people on here never having heard it before! I've often ordered a lemonade and lime over the past 30 years and have never had so much as a look of confusion!! It's totally normal where I am (London/Herts).

Edited

The three extra letters "ade" make a big difference between your clear request and OP's ambiguous one

queenofthesuburbs · 09/04/2025 20:56

OP I would also call it Lemon and Lime and my mother (a Londoner) drinks this all the time on hot summer days.

It is indeed very refreshing!!

LittleTwiggy · 09/04/2025 20:56

I thought you meant he didn’t know the fruits! Now that I’d be shocked by. Never heard of the drink though. Maybe a regional thing?

OneWildNightWithJBJ · 09/04/2025 20:55

I'm completely surprised at bar people on here never having heard it before! I've often ordered a lemonade and lime over the past 30 years and have never had so much as a look of confusion!! It's totally normal where I am (London/Herts).

JaneBoulton · 09/04/2025 20:54

girlfriend44 · 09/04/2025 20:15

Read the thread I did.

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But you could've just said please may I have a lemonade with some like cordial in the first instance.
I think you just wanted to sound 'cool.'

Toastandjam16 · 09/04/2025 20:52

Cantthinkofadifferentname · 09/04/2025 20:50

Are you from the Midlands? Lemon and Lime very popular when I was a kid, but very sweet. Regularly have soda and lime as a soft drink unless there's something non-alcoholic with elderflower

Yes! Was my mom's 😉 drink of choice in pubs. And it's 'lime and lemon'. I want one now.