Anliri Brown, the founder of The Muse speakeasy in Bloemfontein guides us through the mysterious world of cocktails, helping you discover your perfect cocktail palate for your summer nights out. She believes cocktails are a curated experience rather than “just drinks”.
“Every drink is an opportunity to tell a story, to surprise the senses, and to invite discovery.”
Drink what you are
A cocktail palate is your personal compass of taste. It is the invisible thread between what delights your senses and what you instinctively shy away from. Just as some people prefer dark chocolate while others crave citrus, your palate tells the story of you in liquid form.
Do you gravitate toward spirit-forward classics like an Old Fashioned, or does a tequila-based cocktail bursting with fresh, vibrant notes call your name? Think of your cocktail palate as the map that guides you to what truly resonates in the glass.
Try it all, love what lasts
Proe alles en behou die goeie. Start with the classics- an old fashioned, a negroni, a margarita, or a daiquiri. Most cocktails are just variations of the classics; the same ratios, simply dressed differently. Ask yourself, why don’t I enjoy a negroni? Is it the bitterness, the vermouth, or perhaps the strength of the spirit-forward style? Once you know why you don’t like something, you’re already one step closer to discovering what you truly do.
Not every drink is the one
Don’t be afraid to admit when something isn’t for you. Not every cocktail has to become your new favourite – sometimes one sip is enough. Don’t overcomplicate things either; chasing trends or throwing every ingredient you own into a shaker won’t help you learn what you like. Keep it simple, be curious, and let your palate do the talking.
Your taste buds already know
If you enjoy citrus – lemon, lime, and grapefruit – you’re already drawn to cocktails that are bright, zesty, and full of colour. If you prefer coffee or dark chocolate, your palate might be calling for the depth of bitter or smoky cocktails. A love of fresh herbs and green flavours translates beautifully into gin-based drinks.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll probably swoon for cocktails with fruit, syrups, or liqueurs. The foods and drinks you reach for every day are already whispering what you want in a glass – all you have to do is listen.
Find your flavour family
Every cocktail lives in a flavour family, and once you know them, it’s easier to understand what you’re drawn to. The flavour family comprises of sweet, sour, bitter, umami, herbal, and smoky.
- Sweet: indulgent, comforting, often dessert-like (think a daiquiri or a piña colada).
- Sour: bright, zesty, refreshing; a margarita or a whisky sour.
- Bitter: complex, grown-up, layered; a negroni or aperol spritz.
- Umami: savoury and unexpected, like a dirty martini or a tomato-based cocktail.
- Herbal: fresh, green, aromatic, and gin
- Smoky: bold and dramatic, often found in mezcal or peated whisky drinks.
Think of them as moods, not rules. Some nights you might crave the comfort of sweet, other nights the sharp lift of sour, or the intrigue of bitter. Once you learn to recognise these families, exploring cocktails becomes a game of finding which mood suits you best.
DIY your drink personality
When in doubt, go classic. Start by building a little arsenal for your home bar – a good gin, blanco tequila, whisky, and white rum, plus dry and sweet vermouth and simple (sugar) syrup. Keep a few citruses on hand too; lemon, lime, orange (they are your secret weapon). Then, play.
Find a recipe online and make it your own. Shake it, stir it, taste it. A good-quality shaker and proper tools don’t just make cocktails – they make magic. Practicing at home helps you understand your palate so when you explore cocktails out in the world, you’ll know what truly excites your senses.
If you are brave enough to discover your own palate, The Muse offers a discreet entry into the world of cocktails as experiences. Reservations only; book through their website (you need to find this for yourself) and let the classics whisper while the signatures surprise.
Inspired by the secrecy of 1920s Prohibition-era bars, The Muse combines mixology with storytelling, offering drinks crafted with balance and intention. Each cocktail is designed to engage the palate and invite exploration.
FUN FACT: Inspired by the secrecy of 1920s Prohibition-era bars, The Muse combines mixology with storytelling, offering drinks crafted with balance and intention. Each cocktail is designed to engage the palate and invite exploration.
Compiled by: ANLIRI BROWN Photographs: GYPSEENIA LION
