Bartender at Large

Join us as we chat with cocktail expert and author John deBary about his latest book, Saved by the Bellini. From twists on the classic Bellini to other '90s-inspired cocktails, DeBary shares his insights and inspiration behind each creation. Get ready to sip back in time and discover the nostalgia of these iconic drinks. Get your samples of Perfect Puree:  https://perfectpuree.com/foodservice/comp...

Entering a crowded market as an underdog is already tough, but when you have an award-winning product like the founder of Live Wire, Aaron Polsky, sometimes the flavor of what you make can provide you a leg up on the competition. However what do you do when a massive international corporation seemingly decides to target you and put you out of business. Tune in to listen to this week's episode of t...

This week we are joined by Mexican-American author, entrepreneur and restaurateur, Bricia Lopez. She is one of the foremost authorities on Oaxacan cuisine and co-founder of her own line of Michelada mix, I Love Micheladas. So tune in this week as we learn about her vision, philosophy, and creative mind. ____________________________________ Join us every Monday as acclaimed bartender, Erick Castro,...

Creating new cocktails and menus can be a daunting task, especially when the stakes are high, as they are for the Schmucks during their pop-up in South Beach Miami. After the controversy following their departure from their previous project, Two Schmucks in Barcelona, the former crew knew that they had to bring the heat with their pop-up. And that is exactly what they managed to do with the acclai...

In this episode, we chat with Jamie Lewis and Drew Fleming, the masterminds behind Kiki Lounge, a tropical cocktail bar that opened during the pandemic on the Isle of Man. Despite the challenges, Lewis and Fleming created a thriving oasis that transports customers to a beach paradise. From the menu to the decor, they share their inspiration and insights on creating a unique bar experience. Get you...

This week we are joined by bartender and innovator, Iain McPherson, and learn all about the various techniques that we has developed through the use of freezing. In fact, he has even learned to harness the pressure used from expanding liquid to create new ways to extract flavors in the service of tastier cocktails using a process that he refers to as "sous pression." And that is only one of the ma...

Joining us this week is Megs Miller, a bartender and educator whoe relocated to Latin America to pursue her love for cocktails and spirits. She started a tequila tasting room in Mexico City as well as other projects in Central & South America. Tune in to her story and how she came to leave her life in London and relocate in another country to spread her love for agave. ____________________________...

On this week's episode we are joined by founder of Fortaleza Tequila & fifth generation tequila producer Guillermo Sauza and William Erickson, the Sales & Marketing Manager for the brand, and discuss the brand's origins and future. So tune in as we discuss everything from managing growth, running out of inventory and also spill a little bit of tea on the tequila industry. _________________________...

Join us this week as we joined by Garret Richard, Chief Cocktail Officerof Sunken Harbor and author of the upcoming book, Tropical Standard.   Still Austin Whiskey Co.:  https://bit.ly/ sawc-bartenderatlarge Preorder Garret's Book: https://www.tropicalstandard.com ____________________________________ Join us every Monday as acclaimed bartender, Erick Castro, interviews some of the bar industry's t...

Join us in this powerful episode as bartender Emily Mistell of Hey Love in Portland, Oregon shares her personal journey and insights on mental health in the industry. From managing stress and anxiety to breaking the stigma, Mistel's vulnerability and strength shines through as she opens up about her own struggles and triumphs. Tune in for a conversation that goes beyond the surface and sheds light...

Join us as we sit down with Frederic Yarm, renowned bartender and author from Boston, as we discuss the realities of achieving a work-life balance while managing bars & restaurants. Yarm shares his experiences and insights on how to deal with burnout in the industry. Whether you're a bartender or simply curious about the hospitality world, this episode offers valuable perspectives on balancing wor...

Get ready to experience the flavors and vibes of Puerto Rico in Portland, Maine with bartender Lyanna Sanabria as she shares her journey and inspiration behind her new bar, Papi. From rum-based cocktails to classic Puerto Rican dishes, Sanabria gives us a taste of her heritage and culture. Join us as we dive into the world of Papi and discover the magic of Puerto Rican hospitality. _______________...

This week we are joined by award-winning perfumer, Dana El Masri, and she takes us into a deep dive on the topic of aroma and fragrance. https://www.jazminsarai.com/ ____________________________________ Join us every Monday as acclaimed bartender, Erick Castro, interviews some of the bar industry's top talents from around the world, including bartenders, distillers & authors. If you love cocktails...

Join us as we chat with co-founder & chef/distiller at Empirical, Lars Williams. Williams and his team have created a revolutionary approach to spirits that puts flavor before category, so tune in as we hear more about his story and philosophy in how he develops new spirits. ____________________________________ Join us every Monday as acclaimed bartender, Erick Castro, interviews some of the bar i...

When a bar is brand new, it can be so easy to get folks excited and enthused for everything going on. But how do you keep a bar feeling energetic and vibrant as the bar goes into its 10th year and beyond? So many of our favorite bars in the industry only grow in impact and importance as time passes, while others fall to the wayside and are eventually forgotten. To help us better understand why som...

This week we are joined by Anu Apte, bar and restaurant owner in Seattle, to share her expertise and insights on the benefits of using software and technology in your bars.   Episode sponsored by Diageo Bar Academy Diageo Bar Academy Virtual Bar: https://www.diageobaracademy.com/en_us/virtual-bar-limited-access/ _____________________________________ Join us every Monday as acclaimed bartender, Eri...

This week we are joined by spirits marketing guru Steven Grasse , Founder and CEO of Tamworth Distilling in New Hampshire to discuss his new book, Brand Mysticism: Cultivate Creativity and Intoxicate Your Audience. For those that don't know, Grasse is the creator of some of the biggest brands in the world, such as Sailor Jerry Rum and Hendrick's Gin, so tune in as he shares his secrets as to how h...

This week we are joined by craft bartender turned attorney-at-law, Daniel Eun Esquire of Westside Hospitality (formerly of PDT, and the Varnish,) and he is here to discuss some pressing issues facing today's bar including handling investors, scaling up operations and various legal issues in operations. Perfect Puree: https://perfectpuree.com/foodservice/complimentary-samples/?utm_source=bartendera...

For this extra special mini-episode we are joined by master educator with Diageo Hospitality Partnership, Vanessa Leon, and she walks us through the various aspects of Diageo Bar Academy online education. Leon shares why the courses are incredibly useful for all skills sets from the novice to the expert.   This episode sponsored by Diageo Bar Academy https://www.diageobaracademy.com/en_us/?utm_sou...

This week we are joined by American microdistiller, writer and creator of Sorel liqueur, Jackie Summers. Summers is an innovator in the industry and in 2012, he became the first Black person in the United States to be granted a license to make liquor post-Prohibition. So tune in, as he shares his philosophy on both business and life. And listen in as reveals some of his secrets on longevity and ho...

This week we are joined by Cameron George, the Ardbeg National Ambassador, and he shares with us his knowledge on the entire scotch category. George is incredibly knowledgable on the subject, so no matter whether you are a hardcore scotch lover or a new to the whisky altogether, everyone will be able to learn something. Diageo Bar Academy: https://www.diageobaracademy.com/en_us/?utm_source=dba-afl...

This week we are joined by acclaimed bartender, author and innovator, Ryan Chetiyawardana, and he shares with us his creative process and philosophy behind his cocktail empire. Over the years his bars (White Lyan, Dandelyan, Super Lyan, Cub, and Lyaness) have won endless accolades including World's Best Bar at The World's 50 Best Bars awards and Best Bar in the World at the prestigious and Spirite...

This is a special episode that was created in conjunction with Patreon for On Air Fest 2022 which took place at the Drug Use & Behavior Lab @ University of Southern California. The event took place on November 5th and was focused on an examination into the role that the cocktail has played within the context of history and culture. We hope that you enjoy the listen.  Featured host: Rachel O'Donnel...

Trying to effectively manage your bar's social media, while simultaneously managing the bar itself can be quite daunting. And with the sea of options out there ranging from Tik Tok to Facebook to Instagram just to name a few, knowing which one works best for your bar can feel overwhelming. To help us navigate the confusion, we are joined by marketing consultant, Micaela Piccolo, of Gaishan Consult...

This week are celebrating New Orleans food and drink with acclaimed bar owner and board member of Tales of the Cocktail, Neal Bodenheimer. And he is here to discuss his new book, Cure: New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix 'Em. On the episode he discusses his love for his unique city, as well as the inspiration behind the book. Get the book: https://www.curenola.com/book ______________________________...