Root Stock

For all the flap about classic drinks, signature drinks, hand crafted drinks - there are really very few drinks distinguishable by make up. I count 6. Today that is. It's mostly a manageability issue. Though in fact if you can construct these 6 basic drinks you can drink until the cows come home and never get bored. [Anybody else ever notice that most cows come home earlier and with more frequency than most men?]

The Basic 6 and their core flavors:

Manhattan [upper left] - bourbon + italian vermouth
savory fruit flavors
Martini [center left] - gin + white vermouth
floral herbal flavors
Margarita [lower left] - rocks drinks
layered flavors
Sidecar [upper right] - brandy + lemon
sweet and sour flavors
Mojito [center right] - carbonated drinks
bright refreshing flavors
Mai Tai [lower right] - rum + falernum
rich earthy flavors

Permutations and Combinations
These 6 drinks taken 3-4 ingredients at a time multiplied by a dozen options for each ingredient will generate a 1000 possible drinks. More importantly, it becomes infinitely easier to actually make a drink that is appropriate to the occassion and within the limits of your bar.

So follow your favorite drink glass icon to Recipes or
the Drink Name in the above list to my notes
on how to approach the Recipes!