How do I come up with names for new cocktails that I create is a question I get asked frequently.
I have written an article on how to make your own new cocktails. Once this has been done successfully, the next stage is to choose a suitable name for your new creation. At this point it will take on a life of it’s own and hopefully become a future classic. Even if that’s only within your own house and family.
Getting in the mood for creativity
The problem with creativity such as allocating new names to your new creations is that you may not be able to come up with the idea at the time when you most want it. Therefore it’s a good idea to have some form of creative notepad where you can jot down ideas when you first have them. Not when you need them. I use Word for this purpose. I like words and language and phrases. Always have. I think this goes all the way back to school days. Consequently I may be out and about and see something written down somewhere. It could be a phrase I like. Or a concept. It could just be a word that I like the sound of like Muckle Flugga. A small island north of the Shetlands if you want to know!
Note down these ideas when you feel inspired and store them. They can then sit there for as long as you want but then come into use when you’ve developed your new cocktail. I’ve always liked the phrase ‘liquid alchemy’ for instance and so this is used on this website. I also used it on the Cocktail Shaker Boys website when I was running that business.
When naming cocktails you want something that either suits the ingredients or something which sounds luxurious, indulgent or possibly even regal. I saw the word samurai somewhere in town the other day and I’ve added it to my list. With its strongly Japanese warrior connections, it would clearly go well in a cocktail based on a Japanese ingredient such as whisky. One day…
Developing Bourbon cocktails
I also store words which have a connection with a part of the world or even hint at some association in my mind. How about Smoking Gun, South of the Border, Smoky Mountain, Bitter Creek (named after an old Eagles song) and Jack Rabbit. Any of these would suit a bourbon based cocktail. I have a list – ideal for tequila based cocktails. Three Amigos, Azteca, Guadalajara, Cheeky Bandit, Cactus Cafe anyone?
Use a name connected with the cocktail
The other way I allocate names for new cocktails is to base it on the ingredients in the drink. For me if I’m taking this route it needs to be something appropriate to the cocktail I’m creating. Or with a connection, however tenuous. I created a cocktail a few years ago which I subsequently named the RnB. The key ingredients are rye whisky, Jack Daniels honey & cinnamon syrup. Or my slightly favoured variant features spiced maple syrup instead of the cinnamon. Either way, they’re great.
The power of storytelling
At parties if someone asked for an RnB off the menu, I would generally tease them and ask “I bet you want to know how your cocktail got that name don’t you?!” They would inevitably allow me to explain it to them. “Well the ‘R’ is for the fact that it’s based on rye whisky. And what do bees make?” I continued. “Honey” they would answer. “Exactly” so the ‘B’ is a reference to the fact that it contains honey. RnB – rye and honey describes what’s in it. Sort of. Admittedly very obscure but people love stories and anecdotes.
I’m a big fan of the Negroni which was supposedly named after Count Negroni who asked for it at a bar in Italy. He didn’t want soda in his Americano so they added gin instead and named it after him. In messing about with alternatives to this venerable drink, I came up with a bourbon based cocktail featuring Punt e Mes vermouth, sugar syrup and chocolate bitters. I followed the thread of the naming business and called mine the Lincoln. Named after Abe. My cocktail is bourbon based after all. So I felt I wanted to name it after a significant American just as the Negroni was named after an Italian.
Coloured Martinis
I was reading a cocktail article recently and saw what looked to be a brightly coloured martini type of drink. As a result of this I’ve decided to head back to the 80s as an inspiration and produce some colour themed martinis. I started off using the French words for the various colours but I soon dropped this and replaced them with precious stones.
So now I can offer a Sapphire Martini which works brilliantly with Elyx vodka, Noilly Prat vermouth and just half a measure of blue curacao. I also have some green curacao (which is incredibly rare), so I now have an Emerald Martini too. My attempt at producing a Topaz Martini using yellow Chartreuse to give it colour unfortunately wasn’t great. But there are plenty of other yellow liqueurs such as Galliano that I could try instead. I’m also still to try my Amethyst Martini and my Black Martini. It’s as simple as that. One idea can produce a theme which helps you produce a few new cocktails. It’s all part of the fun of mixology.
Incidentally, you can keep up to date with my latest work and creations on Instagram. Follow me @middle_england_mixologist.
Happy mixing.
If you have any questions or comments about naming your cocktails contact me hello@middleenglandmixologist.co.uk