Pass It On

I'm asked quite often how a new cocktail gets known. That is a very good question and I guess the best answer is word of mouth. Many original drinks are created and named in an establishment by creative (and sometimes bored) bartenders and used as a specialty of the house or the "give me something good" choice of bartenders. The name and the mix is passed along through curious patrons or other tenders and it grows from there. For instance, while at one of my favorite bars the other day the bartender offered us a Grape Granstaff, a delicious shooter that reminds me of a grape popsicle. One of the other tenders in that bar created this shot, named it after himself and it was a hit. Awhile after that he was in Minneapolis and heard someone order his shot, a Grape Granstaff. What a great compliment to have your creation ordered 300 miles away!

For the home mixologist that comes up with a great cocktail and wants to get it out there, the best thing to do is to share it with everyone you know.

• Invite friends over for a cocktail party and feature your drink.
• Order the drink by name at the bar or lounge then tell the bartender how to make it.
• Enter cocktail challenges and competitions.
• Send your recipes to those that publish them.

I will gladly publish any original cocktail recipes, feel free to email me with your creations.

Photo Credit: © Santiago Arce