People sometimes have rigid views on the world around them, and if you present something contrary to those views, they might just get upset. The cocktail world is no different. From the bastardization of the word Martini, to how you should "properly" garnish an Old Fashioned, both the experienced and inexperienced drinker might just have an unshakable zeal in what they deem acceptable imbibery.
An experienced bartender can know every recipe under the sun and execute them flawlessly, but they'll never be a good bartender if they can't graciously accept that the customer wants what they want. A truly exceptional bartender might put exactly what you want in front of you before you even knew you wanted it, but it's a very fine line to walk. Comparatively, a good drinker is a person who knows what they want, and not what they're expected to want. Though a healthy amount of curiosity is always a boon. Let your drink unravel the binds of the day to day, rather than create new ones.
Certain drinks lend themselves well to customization, and you'll see all manner of ingrediential and adjectivial modification (grammarative, even!). You have classic riffs on even older drinks like the Appletini and the White Russian, and obvious spirit replacements a la Gin Gin Mule or Jagerita. The Whiskey Smash (the foremost smash, other than perhaps the Hulk smash) is made with lemon, mint, syrup, and wait for it... whiskey!; but there are so many other equally delicious ways to smash your drink, and I encourage you to experiment with your own smashing success. Here's a little prototype to get you started.
Strawberry Basil Smash
- 5ish medium sized basil leaves or whatever
- Probably like 2 or 3 strawberries cut in half
- 1/2 oz simple syrup, or agave syrup. I don't care.
- 1 1/2 oz Bourbon, or Gin, or Vodka, or Rum, or Moonshine...
- 1/2 oz lemon juice. Lime will do.
- Soda to fill, if you're into that
- Strawberry and Basil for Garnish. It can be ugly. I won't tell.
Put your basil leaves in a shaker and the strawberries on top to form a barrier... or strawberrier, if you will. Douse it in the syrup and quickly give it a few pushes with the muddler to squeeze out those strawberries. Throw in some ice, add your liquor and citrus, and give it a short shake. Then pop it in a large-ish glass and top it with soda. Give your strawberry a slice, your basil a smack - releasing the oils, and garnish away. Then I suppose you could drink it, or use it to water the plants. I might be a little bothered, but who am I to tell you what to do?