Even for enthusiastic drinkers, the world of bartending can seem very intriguing and mysterious. When it comes to cocktails, forward-thinking bartenders use a specially named system that recalls Mr. Potato Head and its swappable body parts.

The originator of the Mr. Potato Head bartending concept is unknown, but Phil Ward is a well-known proponent of the theory. According to Ward, an established recipe can be used as a “template” for other drinks when you swap ingredients, much like swapping Mr. Potato Head’s parts.

When making your own cocktails, use Mr. Potato Head as a model — consider the potato body/head as the base, which translates to the "base" liquor, and the ears a mixer or add-on, such as bitters. As for the mouth, think about the additional ingredients, like simple syrup, while the nose is comparable to a garnish.