A nervous drinker walks into a bar...

OK, we got nothing - but what we lack in punch lines, we're about to make up for in advice.

Whether you're a bona fide professional bartender or just like to stir things up as the barkeep in the comfort of your own home, you're likely to encounter a guest who doesn't quite know what to make of modern cocktail culture.

As a bartender at a busy hotel bar, Jamie Sanford from Vesper Bar at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas regularly serves cocktail fetishists and booze neophytes alike -- and manages to make both feel just as welcome.

Learn his tips to set an anxious drink orderer - and drink maker, for that matter - at ease.

Five Ways to Put a Nervous Drinker at Ease: Jamie Sanford

1. An easy way for people to forget their nerves is to initiate a friendly conversation

"At Vesper Bar at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, we purposely don't wear name tags so that the servers have an opportunity to properly introduce themselves to each customer. Even before you offer to make them a drink, get them comfortable by asking how their day was and where they're coming from. They may not always want to be upfront about their nervousness, but you can ask harmless questions to help you figure out if they are in need of a stiff drink or something more soothing."

2. The menu is just a starting off point

"Nervous drinkers can find cocktail menus intimidating if the drinks are unfamiliar to them. Sometimes it is hard to know what a drink will taste like from a menu description, so offer to customize the drink(s) to your guest's tastes. Sometimes nervous drinkers are too shy or embarrassed to ask for what they are really in the mood for. Find out what their favorite drink to make at home is and offer to replicate it for them. You might really win over your nervous drinker if you can find a secret ingredient or two to enhance their favorite cocktail."

3. If you learn enough about your nervous drinker's palate from your conversation, go ahead and create an original cocktail for them

"Introduce them to a new liqueur or syrup, and ask them to give you their honest opinion of it. This will at least give your customer something to focus on for the first couple of sips."

4. Pull out all the stops and ensure your nervous drinker that you are offering them the best cocktail that you can

"Use the highest quality ingredients at your disposal, including special house-made syrups and artisanal bitters. Be prepared to share some of that top-notch liquor you were saving for a special occasion. Once you've combined all the ingredients into the shaker, don't forget to show off your best shake before pouring."

5. It's always good to have a specialty drink in your repertoire

"If your nervous drinker can't decide on a drink, suggest your must-try specialty. I always recommend Strawberry Basil Lemonade to my indecisive customers because it has a great balanced flavor and appeals to a range of palates."

Strawberry Basil Lemonade

.5 oz Aperol

1.5 oz dry gin (I prefer Nolet Silver)

1 oz fresh lemon juice

1 oz lemongrass simple syrup

3 strawberries

4 basil leaves

ginger beer

orange bitters