The Making of a Cocktail Menu
The Makings of a Cocktail Menu
Have you ever looked at a cocktail menu and wondered to yourself, “where in the world did they come up with these?” Many menus will keep the same cocktails year-round, especially with staples like the Old Fashioned and the margarita. But at Sweet Basil and Mountain Standard, you can expect to see new cocktails every season (with, of course, the staples like the Old Fashioned and margarita staying put).
The Cocktail Menu Procurement
If the cocktail menu is changing every season (twice per year), what goes into deciding which drinks are on the menu and which are not?
“Balance, a drink should be what it is designed to be,” states owner Matt Morgan, “if a cocktail is taking after a Manhattan, it should taste like a Manhattan.” Both the General Manager and Dining Room Manager, Katie Ryan Dorgan and Charles Robin respectively, state that a cocktail menu should be well-rounded, have different drinks for different palates, include seasonal flavor influence, and make sure the drinks are made with the guest in mind. What does a well-rounded menu mean? There should be a variety of liquors used across the menu and not just one kind (i.e., just whiskey-based cocktails). You will also see a variety of flavor profiles like sweet, bright, alcohol-forward, and so on. Variety gives each guest an option to find something they will enjoy.
Making the Cut
So we now know what the menu needs in order to be well-rounded, but how do we get to the final drinks? In anticipation of each season launching, the bartenders, barbacks, managers, and owners will come together to try a variety of cocktails created by the aforementioned team. At Mountain Standard, this winter menu had 17 cocktails in contention for the final menu. In speaking with the bartenders at Mountain Standard, they shared what they are thinking about before designing a cocktail. Jon LaRue stated that he takes into account “the season we are in, the environment we live in, and the clientele that visits us at the restaurant.” Mihailo Durovic states that he “wants it to be delish and catered to the people that will be enjoying it.”
Over the course of a few hours, the contenders have been tasted and the finalists have been chosen. A new menu has come together and a fresh set of cocktails are added to the menus of both Sweet Basil and Mountain Standard.
An Option for Everyone
A rising theme observed is the greater request for non-alcoholic options. Guests and staff alike all enjoy a beverage that has been uniquely crafted, but some are desiring the same flavor experience without the consumption of alcohol. Enter the world of mocktails, low-alcohol content cocktails, and NA options. Sweet Basil offers over a variety of 8 NA or low ABV options for guests to choose from. Chris “Bru” Phillips, the Beverage Manager for Sweet Basil and Mountain Standard, shares, “whilst our main audience in this area are the kiddos, many adults look to N/A as a reprieve from alcohol but still want the taste and quality to be there that is comparable with a true cocktail.” He continues, “we try to cater the N/A menu to accommodate a variety of palates, but it is broad enough for all parties to find something they can enjoy. We also take into account the season and weather. Bright and refreshing for spring and summer or rich and comforting in the fall/winter months.” One of the most popular NA options between both Sweet Basil and Mountain Standard includes the Athletic Brewing Company NA Beer.
A Bright New Year
Whether you enjoy a classic margarita, want to try a new seasonal favorite, or reach for an NA option, you can rest assured that the menus at Sweet Basil and Mountain Standard will have a drink for you to choose from. If you are visiting Vail this winter season and reaching for a drink on the sweeter side, try the Unpearable featured on the cocktail menu at Mountain Standard. If you are going to be visiting Sweet Basil and wanting a cocktail with tequila as the base liquor, reach for the Blood & Smoke.
Not sure what you want? Sidle up to the bar and chat with one of the bartenders, or speak with one of your servers once seated, and they will make sure you get a drink that best matches what you are looking for.
Happy sipping.
