I fully agree with the theory you have, and I want to add that this is very
much a pattern of human behavior. This same phenomenon exists and extends to
all things that can experience trends.
In the software development community it was called buzzwords; XML, B2B, SOAP,
Web Services, etc.
In Flair bartending, it was the latest move...Once somebody mastered Bumps,
Juggling of one more object, or a new transition...everybody had to do it.
Hollywood uses formulas, where each year 2-3 subjects will become the theme
for the major releases (Deep Impact and Armageddon for example). This year is
about the mysitcal/ghost slasher movies. Sometimes it's also about the latest
special effect, like the "Bullet-Time" effect from the Matrix.
Even televised (non-)"sports" have their trends. I think we all know that the
World Series of Poker only has a couple more years before it becomes the 1am
slot on ESPN 8 "The Ocho!" :)
Naturally drink recipes will fall into this same habit, especially given the
elitism that comes with them. Invariably there will be people who are also
looking to push this effect as far as possible, hoping to make a name for
themselves. I've heard it said many times about many products, "It's not
about the quality of the product, or even how useful it is; it's about the
marketting."
Also, there is an unusual Supply-and-Demand effect. The proletariat wants a
trend to follow, the swanky club wants a celebrity to mimic, the celebrity
needs unique or rare things to show off, and the "mixologist" needs a drink
that will have mass appeal. A single drink is enough to fill each need, but
it's absorbed by each level and the nature of the drink is changed so that the
next layer down can then absorb it.
--
Cody