What to name a new cocktail

Creating a cocktail is always a creative process that requires not only freedom of imagination and creativity, but also knowledge of the processes of mixing drinks, classic recipes and the most successful combinations of products.

There is no clear rule: “first come up with a cocktail, then a name.” Everything is individual - it depends on the specific situation and goals of the author. Sometimes it happens that the name of the drink becomes the cornerstone of the future flagship cocktail.

Considering the composition of the cocktail

Nowadays you can find the most outlandish and unusual ingredient in the public domain, but in pursuit of outrageousness, you should not forget that all components must be combined with each other.

Bartenders often name a drink using the main product in the composition, for example, “Strawberry Lemonade” or “Tropical Martini.” This is an excellent option for instantly making the guest aware of what he will be drinking. When a bartender tries to make a drink with a very unclear name, he additionally has to explain to each guest the composition and expectations from the cocktail. Therefore, you must always remember the goal!

If there is a contact bar counter and a small seating area - okay, the bartender can talk about the “Sirius Star”, but if the establishment has a large flow of visitors, and it is simply physically impossible to contact everyone for a long time - make a choice in favor of clear and predictable names .

We rely on the style of the drink

The style of the drink implies its direct relationship to one category or another and creates additional communication with the bartender.

If the name contains a sour, it means there will be an excellent sour mix, if a long is a long, refreshing drink of large volume. By indicating the style, the bartender also uses a tool for quick understanding between him and the guest.

We take into account the history of origin

Legendary cocktails, such as the Bloody Mary or Daiquiri, Old Fashioned or Sazerac, have a colorful history of preparation, flavored with stories and speculation over time. Undoubtedly, the drink must have roots.

The bartender's idea should be reflected in everything - in the selection of ingredients, in the preparation method, and in the name. Before the guest orders the drink, he will see the name on the menu, and already at this moment the visitor should understand that the cocktail is incredibly tasty.

Other ideas

Perhaps the drink will be dedicated to a certain person: a famous artist, a movie star or a musician known throughout the world. Then the title can reflect not only the name of the legendary personality, but also any association with him - the name of a song or a clothing style, an image or a role.

The drink can also reflect global or local events. For example, the legendary Black Russian cocktail was created at the height of the Cold War, and every bartender knows the story of its origin.

Speaking of classics! If we take a classic cocktail as a basis (all recipes can be found on the website of the International Bartenders Association) and modify it, it will be called twist. That is, in essence, twist is the bartender’s own vision of a classic recipe with a change in the component or elements of preparation.

In any case, the name of the cocktail should reflect the recipe, be understandable to a potential guest and, of course, fit perfectly into the ideology of the entire bar menu.