Time for an Appeteaser'

Let’s come to terms with this piece of truth: A cocktail that comes with a questionable title may seem like a buzz kill at first go. Not many of us would be confident enough to order a drink that sounded ‘wrong’ (if you know what we mean). But, going by the trend that’s garnering much traction in town, it’s clearly not the case. Quirky cocktail names are ruling the culinary roost, and restaurants are constantly on the run — in terms of innovation. Bengaluru Chronicle takes a deeper look. Youngsters, mixologists, and food experts give us their take.

“I remember this popular club in Koramangala used to have this cocktail called orgasm. So every time you ordered, you’d be saying ‘I want an...’. Needless to say, it became super popular. It’s always a nice idea to order something which leaves room for imagination,” begins  Aparna Menon, 32, a media professional and diehard clubber. Chef Selvaraju of Taj Yeshwantpur says, “Cocktails are all about creativity. It’s about creation.

This city has upped the bar for molecular gastronomy. When the Bloody Mary came into being, people didn’t know it would be this big a hit. At present, cocktails like Up on the hill (a sparkly pinkish drink that is light and refreshing, made with lemon, lime, grenadine and Whisky) or the peach green tea (a summer cocktail) are the rage. In terms of different cocktails, the finest are divided into three variants: Rum-based (white rum), gin, tequila (a unique combination of sweet, salt), mojito (fresh mint leaves, white rum, soda or water.) Then there’s also the Martini Margarita. But, the winner is the one that beats others in innovation.”

While stepping out, one is almost always in the mood to experiment with something that has a little tongue-in-cheek vibe. Hence, naming cocktails, innovation and creativity help go a long way. “Drinks are named based on the theme of the space, ingredients, life situations, movies, moods — the list goes on and on. And this really helps create stickiness with customers and clients,” begins Amit Roy, F&B entrepreneur, and partner ThinkTanc,  he adds, “People are always looking for the ‘wow’ factor. Names, presentation, taste and a little bit of ‘show’ makes it an experience people want.”

Giving us a peek into what’s ruling the roost at present;  “Our mixologists have handcrafted cocktail recipes to provide customers with a ‘never-before taste.’ Our cocktails are shaken, stirred, wild and wacky. And with all the effort going into crafting these recipes, it absolutely had to have the right name — something that is quirky, appeals to customers, and yet provides a peek into what is coming up!” avers Madan Narasimhan, partner and  F&B expert, Inntense Restobar.

Entrepreneur Abhishek Gowda says, “Some of our signature cocktails are: Carrot Collada – a twist to a regular Pina Colada with a hint of carrot and orange juice or the Special Paan Cocktail and Devil’s Martini — essentially focusing on the state of mind after having a couple!”

Expert quote: When a signature cocktail is being developed, of course, the first priority is to make a delectable concoction. The naming process comes soon after.

Rajanish Babu, corporate general manager, Shilton Hospitality states, “People can be either conservative or adventurous and curious... signature cocktails need to resonate with the personality of the place and naming them is a part of that. People these days want new tastes and even though they may have their go-to beverage, they still like to try something new and different. Vodka Grenade, International Velvet, Tamarind Tales, and Johnnie Ginger are a few of our signatures. Vodka Grenade is a play on words as the main ingredients are Vodka and Pomegranate, and though it is pretty and sweet, it does pack a punch — like an actual grenade. Tamarind Tales are vodka-based, tamarind-flavoured cocktails and also have flavours in basil, mango, and orange liquor that come together to make it a well-balanced story — much like those that are passed on from generation to generation. International Velvet is also a vodka-based drink, with avocado, red velvet and cream — inspired from the 1978 movie of the same name which is about a female jockey that makes it to the American Olympic team. Johnnie Ginger is simply Johnnie Walker red with ginger ale but there’s a very attractive ring to the name even though it’s one of the more obvious ones.”