"Mr. Potato Head” is a toy you can make unique versions of by adding various parts. However, for bartenders, the term means swapping classic cocktails’ components to make new ones.

As Phil Ward, a renowned NYC bartender who coined the term and the method, told Australian Bartender in 2014, "Every template of a good drink is a blueprint for other good drinks.”

A drink without a ton of ingredients is ideal for trying the method. Pay heed to the flavor profiles of the elements you change and adjust the rest to achieve a harmonious whole.

For instance, when swapping the gin out for tequila in a Negroni, you may have to adjust the amount of vermouth and Campari to let the tequila's vanilla and caramel notes shine.

The Old-Fashioned also often serves as a template for creating new cocktails. Swapping its base liquor or other elements for different flavors can help create several new drinks.