Bartender making a cocktail.
What Does It Mean For A Bartender To Pull A 'Mr. Potato Head'

NEWS

By ANDREW AMELINCKX
Mr. Potato Head toy.
"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.
Bartender garnishing cocktails.
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.”
Bartender pouring drink into a glass.
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.
A glass of negroni garnished with an orange peel.
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.
Glass of old-fashioned on a wooden surface.
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.