You can stick to the basics and come out all right—it’s a statement that applies to mixing drinks as much as anything else. But is ‘all right’ really your goal in life? Mastering a craft enough to improvise, invent, and dazzle? Now, that’s where it’s at.

It’s on full display in the United States Bartenders’ Guild Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, which invited a dozen cocktail artists from around the U.S. (and beyond) to reach deep into their bag of tricks and share a favorite go-to ingredient. From the gentle mist that adds aroma to the oil that teases out complexity to the savory element that takes happy hour places it’s never gone before. None of these drink-enhancers are conventional, and that’s the point. They’re signs of expertise, an expanded repertoire, and may require a bit of additional research. Read on—and use these ingredients to take your next libation up a notch.

Coriander Seed—Luis Hernandez

Luis is well acquainted with cilantro, a common cooking ingredient in his native Venezuela. Coriander seed (in addition to being a botanical in gin) hails from the same family, and so provides a perfect twist on the familiar. “My inspiration is the thrill of finding new flavors,” Luis says. “I love to watch that moment when someone discovers something they haven’t tasted before.”

Salt—Andrew Lue