South Austin’s Elementary is a cocktail bar that serves up 90s nostalgia with elevated techniques and conceptual ideas, all of which are evident in unconventional serves like the Kool-Aid Cosmo. This twist on the classic cosmopolitan recipe uses Kool-Aid mead in place of cranberry juice, along with lemon "super juice." When perfecting this cocktail, Elementary owner and creative director Chris Arial told Punch that his intent was "to create something that’s unexpected within the familiar."
The Kool-Aid Cosmo is a nostalgic drink that fits right in with other playful menu items like the Eggo-spresso Martini and Idahoe Barbie made with purple potato. Drinkers are drawn to these libations for the journey they provide through a fusion of familiar ingredients transformed into novel, vibrant taste experiences that evoke the past with every sip.
Fermented Drink Mix Cocktails
South Austin’s Elementary Serves a Kool-Aid Cosmo
Trend Themes
1. Nostalgic Drink Experiences - Elevated cocktail bars are offering playful and unconventional drinks that evoke nostalgia and provide a fusion of familiar ingredients transformed into novel, vibrant taste experiences.
2. Twists on Classic Recipes - Cocktail bars are experimenting with unconventional ingredients and techniques to put unique twists on classic recipes, creating unexpected and innovative flavor combinations.
3. Playful Menu Concepts - Bar menus are featuring playful and conceptual ideas, incorporating nostalgic elements and unconventional serves that surprise customers with unexpected and unconventional drink experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Cocktail Bars - Cocktail bars have the opportunity to attract customers by offering nostalgic drink experiences and playful menu concepts that create unique and memorable occasions for their patrons.
2. Beverage Industry - The beverage industry can benefit from creating and marketing innovative drink products that put unique twists on classic recipes, catering to consumers' desire for novel and unexpected taste experiences.
3. Hospitality and Entertainment - The hospitality and entertainment industry can incorporate nostalgic and playful drink concepts into their venues to attract customers and provide them with enjoyable and memorable experiences.