Cocktail Menu
Design Process

 
 

Overview

Transitioning into UX Design was an exciting opportunity for me to take the skills I honed in my long time career in the hospitality industry and apply them to a different product.
As a Bar Manager, I was responsible for maintaining a viable cocktail menu. I created a product design and release cycle that was implemented every 3 months to keep our menu seasonal, exciting for our guests, and profitable for the restaurant. This process allowed me to act as a Product Manager as well as a Lead Designer before I knew I would become both of these things within an entirely different platform.

 
 

Discovery

  • Research new or popular trends in technique

  • Research seasonal ingredients and ask what the Chefs (Developers) are already using to reduce waste or spending 

  • Conduct competitor analysis on ingredients, prices, and names restaurants in the area are using (what can we do better or different)

  • Research recognizable pop-culture references for naming conventions of cocktails (what terms do your consumers recognize and use)

 
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Design Kick-Off

  • Present all initial research to the team

  • Popular techniques

  • Ingredients available

  • Competitor analysis

  • Possible themes for naming conventions

  • Prior year’s menus and documentation

  • Determine which spirit (platform) each Bartender (Designer) will work on

  • Pair each bartender with a chef for a more collaborative process

 
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Design, Test & Iterate

  • Bartenders (Designers) are responsible for creating cocktail recipes

  • They perform A/B and guerrilla testing with bar guests and co-workers

  • New cocktails are run as specials to gather quantitative data by tracking sales (conversion) and qualitative feedback from guests (Consumers)

  • The feedback and data is used to iterate on the recipes (designs)

  • Throughout the process, the Bartenders (Designers) check in with the Bar Manager (Product Manager/Lead Designer) for mentorship and best practice advice


 
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Stakeholder Review

This review brings owners, general managers, bartenders, and chefs together to give feedback on the cocktails and decide on the MVPs for the new menu.

  • All recipes (designs) are presented as recommendations backed by research, user testing feedback, and conversion data

  • Bartenders (Designers) field questions from Stakeholders and take notes for final iterations

  • MVPs for the next menu release are decided in this review

Iterations, Final UI & Release

  • Address any feedback from Stakeholders (Owners)

  • Ensure glassware and garnish are on brand (Visual Design)

  • Determine naming conventions for a consistent menu

  • Roll out a new menu with marketing through social media and word of mouth

  • Track sales, credits, and guest (Consumer) feedback to determine further iterations

  • Document menu, data, and outcome for future menu releases