How to Name a Cocktail (cont’d)
7. Allure with Alliteration
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, alliteration is “the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words”. When applied to naming a cocktail, it serves to make the cocktail more memorable, for example, Dinky Dianella, Mando Moments and Born on the Baijiu.
8. Add a Personal Inspiration
Whether it’s a memory of sorts, weather-related, season-inspired or holiday-themed, a personal inspiration can evoke a sense of the cocktail such as Sunset Kiss, Sea Change Martini and Post Holiday Blues Cocktail.
9. Paint with Colour
Cocktails with colour in their names such as the White Lady, Pink Lady, Purple Rain and Blue Lagoon can be easily visualised. Add a touch of the exotic by taking inspiration from Pantone paint colours such as Tangerine Tango and Island Paradise.
10. Tap into Popular Culture
Tap into the world of popular culture be it music, literature, art, fashion, film, television or radio for inspiration such as Tequila Mockingbird, Death in the Afternoon, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Serious Moonlight Cocktail (David Bowie Tribute).
11. KISS
Apply the KISS principle by naming your cocktail after one ingredient and followed it up by the list of ingredients.
NUTMEG
Pernod absinthe, pandan syrup, coconut milk, nutmeg, egg.
This example is taken from the Mace x PS40 bar pop up in Sydney.
12. Play on Words
Last but not least, whether good, bad or indifferent, puns are often catchy and memorable. Get creative with the likes of Mez-Sage in a Bottle, Mint to Be, Shiso Cute and the Araknophobia Cocktail.