Something that mildly annoys me is the way that, for marketing or legal reasons, companies will change the name of a well known item. In this case, I’m thinking of current cocktail trends. It’s been pointed out that the names of most contemporary cocktails really are just a recipe. You’re far more likely to order a gin and tonic than an Old Fashion. Some of these include a brand name (Rum and Coke, 7&7, Red Bull vodka). The company that manufactures one component of that drink will then want to capitalize on its popularity, but won’t be able to call it by the moniker in common use because that would infringe on some one else’s branding. This is how we have awkward commercials for “Bacardi and Cola” in addition to it’s unfortunate cousin “Bacardi and diet cola.” I did also see today an ad for premixed cocktails in a can, featuring “Seagram’s and lemon-lime.” It has me waiting for “Stoli and energy drink.”

What I would really love would be for the companies that make the mixers to get in on the act. I’m imaging ads for “Canada Dry and whiskey” as opposed to Jack & Ginger. Better yet, “Ocean Spray and vodka.” I’d like to see two farmers getting tanked on bitch drinks in a cranberry bog.