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What Does Bartending's Mr. Potato Head Mean?

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Even for avid drinkers, bartending can be mysterious. Consider bartender slang. 

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A dry shake involves churning a drink in a shaker without ice, & a finger is an approximate unit of measurement equivalent to about two ounces, or one finger-width of liquor in the glass. 

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"Call drinks" are "well drinks' opposite. In this example, customer would name a specific liquor brand, Tito's Vodka, instead "house" For drinks, forward-thinking bartenders utilise system. 

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Drunkard's Almanac says Mr. Potato Head's interchangeable bits can inspire food experiments. 

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The official Potato Head website depicts Mr. Potato Head as a huge potato head with feet, mouth, nose, eyes, & ears, plus accessories. 

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These components can be swapped for another version, such cocktail ingredients. It's hard to say who coined the Mr. Potato Head concept for cocktails. 

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Australian Bartender cites Phil Ward as a proponent of the theory. An established cocktail recipe can be used as a 'template' for subsequent beverages, says Ward. 

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Liquor.com says Ward created the revised Oaxacan Old Fashioned. Reposado tequila, mezcal, agave syrup, bitters, & a 'flamed' orange peel garnish Ward's cocktail.

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 Difford's Guide asks for bourbon, rye whiskey, brown sugar syrup, & bitters. Ward modified the ingredients to give his drink an Oaxacan flavour. 

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Less-experienced bartenders & drinkers should be wary with "Potato Heading" While bartender creativity is encouraged, certain criteria must be followed to ensure a drink's success. 

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According to The Guardian, the liquor base, mixer, & ice style all affect the final beverage. It's also important that the drink's flavours are balanced so that none dominate. 

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The potato body/head is a cocktail's "base" liquor. Next, add the ears, which can be bitters. The nose is like an olive or orange peel garnish, while the mouth is like simple syrup. 

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You can arrange the elements however you choose. Popular Mechanics advocates learning 'cocktail families' & complementing flavour pairings to hone your mixologist skills. 

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Martinis contain dry vermouth, gin, & an olive or lemon garnish. Seltzer, scotch, & a lemon wedge garnish the whiskey highball. 

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"Potato Head" toward the optimum flavour balance by adding the proper elements.

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