VinePair

FEBRUARY 18, 2025

Plenty of bartenders and bar professionals have at least one whiskey they feel is overrated. What are the whiskeys currently on the bar communitys overhyped list? We asked 12 bar professionals to find out. Ben Hopkins, head bartender, Pitts , Brooklyn While this might be a hot take, bourbon is often overhyped.

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Bartender Bartending Whiskey Bar 99

Imbibe Magazine

AUGUST 30, 2024

En route, guides from the Arca Tierra project , which connects farmers with bartenders, chefs, and consumers, explained that the many man-made islands in the canal belong to a massive agricultural project built to feed the Aztec empire centuries ago. Natália Faustino Creativity is always a big part of cocktail bartending.

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Imbibe Magazine

JUNE 5, 2024

A good theme isn’t a requisite for a standout cocktail menu, but it definitely makes cocktail hour more fun. Case in point: the new California road trip–inspired menu at Los Angeles’ Big Bar , a 13-year-old neighborhood bar nestled beneath the iconic Griffith Observatory.

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VinePair

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

A cursory glance of various Reddit subs like r/bartenders and r/Chicago reveal some solid attempts: Notes of Fresca, paint thinner, and sadness; Week-old grapefruit rinds soaked in floodwater and shame; Gasoline filtered through a week-old garbage bag; Imagine if your parents’ divorce had a flavor. Her prize? appeared first on VinePair.

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Digestif Liqueur Bitters Bartender 105

VinePair

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

We asked 12 bartenders to recommend their favorite underrated barrel-proof bourbons, to help you cut through the noise and find out which bottles are worth the hunt. I haven’t seen it around in many places but if you stumble upon it it’s definitely worth a try. ” —Hailey Donovan, bar manager, Northern Spy , Canton, Mass.

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VinePair

APRIL 23, 2024

To cut through the noise, we turned to bartenders across the country to highlight bottles they think are underrated, whether that means a forgotten classic they reach for over and over or a new product they are excited to see more guests enjoy. These are the most underrated bourbons, according to bartenders across the country.

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VinePair

JANUARY 18, 2024

That’s why we asked bartenders around the country for their picks for the unsung heroes of the category. This Heaven Hill bourbon follows a similar blueprint to their more famed Old Fitzgerald — it is a wheated bourbon, and in terms of availability, approachability, and price point, Larceny is definitely underrated. No brainer.”

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VinePair

JUNE 11, 2024

It’s definitely possible to find bourbon that’s smooth, complex, and good enough to serve neat on a budget, and plenty of bourbon-makers are distilling spirits that checks all those boxes and more. Who better to consult than a bartender? Dale Kaiser, mixologist and bar manager, Valette , Healdsburg, Calif.

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VinePair

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

To get the chatter going, we asked 10 bartenders their thoughts on the most overrated whiskeys out there. Fionna Gemzon, bar manager, None of the Above , St. Your local bartender who drinks good whiskey but is always on a budget knows what they are.” Julian Flores Torres, bar lead, Maizano /Entre Nos, Costa Mesa, Calif.

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Bartender Bartending Whiskey Bar Management 116

VinePair

OCTOBER 8, 2024

is a question bartenders get often, but the answer is usually conditional. If the bar is particularly busy it doesn’t make sense to offer something complicated. From old-school builds to timeless tropical drinks, these are the cocktails bartenders wish their patrons would opt for more often. “What’s good here?” The Last Word.

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Bartender Bartending Gin Rum 112

VinePair

APRIL 4, 2024

To answer this question, we asked 11 bartenders their choice for the best peated Scotch for beginners. While it definitely has Islay personality, it is also blended with other single-malt whisky and has a sherry finish, so it’s rounded out a bit. Charles Friedrichs, bar manager, The Jones Assembly , Oklahoma City, Okla. “I

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Bartender Bartending Bar Management Bar Manager 111

VinePair

JULY 9, 2024

That’s why we asked 14 bartenders to share their own go-to tequilas, both behind the stick and on their home bar carts. Shane Mstroine, bartender/bar manager, Table 45 , Cleveland “I’m gonna go a little more niche with Fuentesca’s 2018 Huertas Las Antenas Blanco. Here’s what they said.

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VinePair

JULY 23, 2024

There are also some tequila cocktails that, in the eyes of bartenders, have a little less bang. So, what tequila cocktails are considered overrated in the bartending community? Shane Mastroine, bartender/bar manager, Table 45 , Cleveland “The most overrated tequila cocktail is a Tequila Sunrise.

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VinePair

MAY 9, 2024

Ask a bartender the same question, however, and they may give you a different answer. To find out what those other beverages are, we asked 17 bartenders what tequila cocktail deserves a little more love from their guests. Fionna Gemzon, bar manager, None of The Above , St. Amber Garcia, bar manager, Tana , Metarie, La.

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VinePair

JULY 2, 2024

To demonstrate this, we asked 15 bartenders to share their thoughts on the Scotch that provides them the most bang for their buck. Shane Mastroine, bartender/bar manager, Table 45 , Cleveland “ Harleston Green Scotch is a great well. The finish has a light spiciness and definitely a slight toasted bread note.

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Bartender Bartending Bar Management Bar Manager 98

VinePair

MARCH 26, 2024

If your home bar shows a conspicuous absence of rum despite an affinity for Daiquiris, then you’ve come to the right place. Seeking the best rums for cocktails, we asked bartenders around the world for their go-to bottles behind the bar. Fionna Gemzon, bar manager, None of the Above , St. Volcanique.

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Tales of the Cocktail

DECEMBER 11, 2024

This prestigious mentorship program offers rising bartenders the opportunity to join a select group of 40 apprentices, who will gain hands-on experience and work alongside top industry leaders at the 2025 Tales of the Cocktail conference, taking place in New Orleans from July 2025.

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The Cocktail Lovers

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

New bars Okay, it hasnt officially opened but this week Chris Tanner and Edwin Frost announced their brand new venture, Bar Cv coming to Paradise Row in Bethnal Green, London on 1st March. Drinks at those prices, particularly coming from these two, will definitely be a hit with the Hackney crowd. 7 House Martinis anyone?

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Bar Signature Cocktails Bartender Bartending 56

A Bar Above

MARCH 1, 2024

As a new bar manager, there are certain terms and vocabulary that you need to be familiar with so you can communicate effectively with your team. We’ll quickly cover what the term par is and how it applies to the bar and restaurant world, and then we’ll discuss one of its most important applications: the par sheet.

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VinePair

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

Credit: Jeff Brown While many bars turn to fat-washing or expensive infusions to deliver elevated drinks to their guests, Sebastian found a way to create an experience that can’t be replicated by simply buying the highest quality ingredients; these flavors have to be made with patience and care.

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Spiritz

AUGUST 13, 2024

While the primary aspect of any bar is to dish out the most innovative cocktails using different kinds of ingredients and placing strong emphasis on quality, another factor that is now being incorporated is that of implementing sustainable practices. The one primary thing that is transforming the cocktail industry is technology.

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Imbibe Magazine

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

If you’re a home bartender who loves watching cocktail videos on YouTube and Instagram, then you’re probably already a fan of The Educated Barfly’s Leandro DiMonriva. Before that, he worked at Cole’s French Dip , the home of award-winning bar The Varnish , in LA for a decade.

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VinePair

APRIL 11, 2025

And more often than not, one can trust that theyre going to be served a thoughtful, well-balanced drink the bartender is proud of. As such, posing the question likely wont tell bartenders much about what kind of drink youre looking for, and may result in a longer ordering process than one is prepared for. What about glassware?

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VinePair

JUNE 25, 2024

To explore this variance, we asked 18 bartenders what they choose when they simply want a bourbon that brings joy to the palate every time, any time. Patrick Gibson, bartender, Jack Rose Dining Saloon , Washington, D.C. Evan Flynn, head bartender, Death & Co , Denver “ Wyoming Whiskey’s Double Cask Bourbon.

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VinePair

JANUARY 2, 2024

But with such a loose origin story and definition, one might wonder: What makes a good one? We talked to 10 bartenders to find out their tips and hacks for the optimal Toddy. Juliana Fisher, bar manager, Bar167 , Charleston, S.C. “A David Bowen, co-founder and bartender, Easytalk , Winston-Salem, N.C.

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VinePair

AUGUST 5, 2024

But what level of alteration is acceptable at a bar? Even though bartenders have a full arsenal of tools at their disposal, it’s not always wise to assume that they can whip up just about anything imaginable. She said ‘delicious.’” —Brian Miller, bar manager, Stockton Inn , Stockton, N.J. What’s next? What’s next?

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VinePair

MARCH 19, 2024

It’s the rare home bar cart that has extra space for a constant influx of new bottles, though. That’s why we asked bartenders from across the country to share the new Scotch whiskies — some new to the industry, and some new to them — that have earned a coveted spot on their bars. I’d say Oban 14. Paul, Minn.

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Bartender Bartending Bar Bar Management 106

Bartender.com

JANUARY 9, 2024

We celebrated my dad’s birthday every year at Trader Vic’s and I developed an even deeper personal affinity for tropical-style drinks during my time as the head bartender at The Polynesian. This time, though, we put together a new take on the old idea and vibe of the Trader Vic’s menus of the 1960’s.

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VinePair

JULY 16, 2024

Bartenders face the same question when a brand rep drops in and introduces them to a new expression. We recently reached out to 22 bartenders to see which new (and new-to-them) bottles they were into lately. ” —Colin Williams, bar manager, Bar Manager, Saffron , New Orleans “ Daiyame 25 Sweet Potato Shochu by Hamada Syuzou.

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Bartender Bartending Bar Gin 122

VinePair

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

See Recipe Autumn Sparkler To get a hefty meal prepped for your nearest and dearest, a nice sessionable cocktail is definitely in order — preferably one with a bit of bubbles. With a bit of lemon juice and hot water to make it, well, hot, the Rum Hot Toddy is sweet, spicy, bright, and definitely delicious.

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VinePair

APRIL 3, 2025

Theres no better source to help with that first foray into whiskey than bartenders. With that in mind, we asked 20 bartenders and bar professionals for their thoughts on the best whiskey for beginners. Zachary Strong, bartender, The Jones Assembly , Oklahoma City For beginners, I suggest Woodford Reserve.

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VinePair

MARCH 24, 2025

As new bottles continue to enter the market, we asked 15 bartenders to highlight which new bourbons impressed them enough to add to their back bars. Plus, their minimalist bottle design looks great on the back bar, which never hurts. Tony Goodman, bar manager, Madrina , Webster Groves, Mo.

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VinePair

JANUARY 28, 2025

In this spirit of efficiency, we asked 21 bartenders to name their picks for the most underrated whiskeys for 2025. The Most Underrated Whiskeys for 2025, According to Bartenders: Wilderness Trail Frey Ranch Rye St. Jens Cromer, bartender, Thunderbolt , Los Angeles Frey Ranch Rye. Heres what they had to say.

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Bartender Bartending Whiskey Speed Rack 111

VinePair

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

From classic boilermakers to themed shooters and even bartender handshakes , shots are the bread and butter of the bar world. And if theres one group of people that knows exactly what the people want, its bartenders. Here, we asked 18 bartenders and industry pros which shots are currently trending in their bars.

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VinePair

MARCH 21, 2025

From inventive tinctures and infusions to niche spirits and housemade syrups, skilled bartenders have no shortage of methods for adding flavor and complexity to cocktails. But in a bar culture exploding with creative techniques and unique new cocktail components, some of the simplest and most versatile ingredients can go overlooked.

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VinePair

MAY 9, 2025

Its a drink that embodies the very definition of a cocktail that has not only withstood the test of time, but tells the story of how modern craft cocktail culture evolved. Today, well talk about how the Old Fashioned inspired and influenced some of the most cutting-edge techniques that bartenders around the world continue to lean on today.

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Bar Spoon Brandy Cocktail Culture Bar Manager 52

VinePair

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Non-alcoholic cocktails, once the butt of bartenders jokes, are being made with greater care and intention , and momentum continues to build around the alcohol-free spirit market. But the overall effect was still relatively neutral, according to bar manager Laura Maddox.

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