How Building the Perfect Cocktail Is Like Writing Clean Code

As someone who’s equally obsessed with clean code and clean drinks, I’ve started noticing patterns.

Writing a good function and mixing a good cocktail follow surprisingly similar logic.

Let me explain.

1. Simplicity Wins

A Negroni is three ingredients: gin, Campari, sweet vermouth. Balanced. Direct. Beautiful.

Just like a good function — clear input, expected output, no unnecessary loops or side effects.

You could add lavender syrup and activated charcoal.
But should you?

Same goes for code — just because you can, doesn’t mean you must.

2. Readability Matters

Bartenders learn to build drinks they don’t even need to taste — because ratios are predictable.

When you write code that’s readable, it’s like having a go-to recipe:

• Easy to understand

• Easy to maintain

• Easy to remix

That’s why I’ve been exploring — a clean library of cocktail recipes that just work. Minimal fuss, no obscure ingredients, and well-structured "docs" (a.k.a. clear instructions). Think of it as the Stack Overflow of cocktail making.

3. Testing Is Everything

Every bartender knows: taste as you go.

Same with code. Whether it’s a unit test or a sip from the jigger, you’re validating assumptions before deploying to production (or serving to your guests).

So the next time you’re debugging something nasty, step away. Make a drink. Think like a mixologist.

Or if you’re mixing drinks? Pretend you’re refactoring legacy code.

Trust me, it helps both ways.