Bar Management, Bitters and Lead Bartender

We Asked 16 Bartenders: What’s the Most Underrated Cheap Bourbon?

VinePair

OCTOBER 31, 2024

Lexi Parker, lead bartender, Poka Loka Social Club , Denver “When it comes to an underrated Swiss-army-knife bourbon, J.W. Dant packs a punch, makes for a mean Old Fashioned , and will hold its weight against any syrup or bitters you throw its way.” At around $15, J.W.

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Lead Bartender Bar Spoon

We Asked 21 Bartenders: What’s the Best Vodka for Mixing Cocktails?

VinePair

MARCH 18, 2025

Lance Bowman, bar manager, UMMO , Chicago There is no other vodka I could be more excited to mention than Good Vodka. Alex Serena, bar manager, Telefric Barcelona , Los Angeles Chopin Rye Vodka is my go-to for cocktails above and beyond your run-of-the-mill Vodka Soda drinks.

Vodka

Vodka Bartending Bartender Bar Manager

We Asked 10 Bartenders: What’s the Trendiest Shot to Order Right Now?

VinePair

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

The trendiest shots right now, according to bartenders: Fernet Branca Hard Start Mezcal and Amaro Angelino Rye-Nar Forghetti Dickel whiskey and shot of au jus Vermouth Green Tea Bourbon Tequila Amortized wine Bottled-in-bond rye St. Cameron O’Brien, bartender, Swan Bar , San Diego “Shooting Branca Menta is the way to go!

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Head Bartender Bar Manager

We Asked 11 Bartenders: What’s the Best New Bourbon That’s Earned a Spot On Your Bar? (2024)

VinePair

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Grace Tomczak, lead bartender, MAKfam , Denver “ Brother’s Bond Cask Strength has certainly earned a spot behind the bar at The Golden Swan. Alexandra Downing, bar manager, Grey Hen at Century Grand , Phoenix “When anyone asks for a new recommendation lately, I reach for Garrison Brothers Honeydew Bourbon.

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Bar Head Bartender

10 Mocktails for 2024

Cheers

JANUARY 2, 2024

Notes Garth Poe, bar manager at Easy Bistro & Bar in Chattanooga, TN, created this recipe. Notes Morgan Styers, lead bartender of Merchant & Trade in the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel in Charlotte, NC, created this recipe. Lemon juice 4-6 drops Non-alcoholic lavender bitters 1 oz.

Mocktails

Mocktails Simple Syrup Mixologist Zero-Proof

We Asked 20 Bartenders: What’s the Most Underrated Bourbon? (2024)

VinePair

APRIL 23, 2024

Juel Triggs, bar manager, Eight & Sand at Central Station Hotel , Memphis, Tenn. Victoria Goodwin, lead bartender, Blue Sunday , Bensalem, Pa. Doug Kazley, bar manager, Ambli Global, Denver “Easy: Medley Bros. Jonathan “Ilonis” Heredia, bartender, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain , Marana, Ariz.

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Bar Manager Bar Management

10 Mocktails for 2024

Cheers

JANUARY 3, 2024

Notes Garth Poe, bar manager at Easy Bistro & Bar in Chattanooga, TN, created this recipe. Notes Morgan Styers, lead bartender of Merchant & Trade in the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel in Charlotte, NC, created this recipe. Lemon juice 4-6 drops Non-alcoholic lavender bitters 1 oz.

Mocktails

Mocktails Simple Syrup Mixologist Zero-Proof

We Asked 13 Bartenders: Which Cocktail Do You Wish People Would Order More? (2024)

VinePair

OCTOBER 8, 2024

Roderick Williams, Bar Manager, Smoked , Columbia, S.C. Heather Blanchard, lead bartender, Virgin Hotels , New Orleans “I definitely wish more people ordered the Paloma ! There’s this misconception that rum drinks are complicated and overly sweet, but a Mai Tai is simple and light. The Last Word.

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Gin Rum

We Asked 11 Bartenders: Which Scotch Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck? (2023)

VinePair

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Though bars often relegate such peaty Scotch to atomizers that sit dusty and scarcely used next to exotic bitters on the bar top, and while some think Laphroaig is too much of a bully to cocktail with, I say play around with it and see how amazing it can taste!” And at under $25 retail? Get the heck out of here.”

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Bottling Lead Bartender

We Asked 19 Bartenders: What’s Your Go-To Bourbon? (2024)

VinePair

JUNE 25, 2024

In our world, that translates to a robust spirit that can stand out amongst strong flavors like citrus, amari, and bitters to name a few common cocktail bullies. At 100 proof, it’s a standout in stirred classics alongside sugar, bitters, or vermouths, but doesn’t punch out softer mixers like citrus or bubbles in highballs or sours.”

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Head Bartender Whiskey

We Asked 25 Bartenders: What’s the Best Scotch for Cocktails?

VinePair

MAY 23, 2024

Gee Lee, lead bartender, Loch Bar Houston , Houston “I just fell in love with a new Scotch launched recently: Ardray Blended Scotch. Thomas Mahne, bar manager, The Lexington , Boston “Dornoch Distillery Redacted Bros. Recently, I had the Artist Blend in a Grapefruit Collins and it was delicious!” —Gee

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Head Bartender Highball

We Asked 22 Bartenders: What’s the Best New Spirit You’ve Added to Your Bar?

VinePair

JULY 16, 2024

George’s Valley Gin Empirical Spirits Doritos Nacho Cheese Banhez Destilados de Fruta BroVo Spirits Uncharted Rhapsody American Forest Liqueur Bitter Journey Bing Zhou Mijenta Cristalino Avallen Calvados “The best newly released spirit we’ve added to our bar is Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin. Made from sweet potatoes and black koji.

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Bar Gin

We Asked 14 Bartenders: What’s the One Cheap Rum You Secretly Love for Daiquiris?

VinePair

MAY 13, 2025

Christian Favier, bar manager, Seahorse , Charleston, S.C. I think its a similar build to their old Rum Bar label, but a little lower proof. Sheila Arndt, lead bartender, Restaurant Revolution , New Orleans Probitas punches way above its weight class, especially in a Daiquiri. Worthy Park Silver for sure.

Rum

Rum Bartending Bartender Simple Syrup

We Asked 18 Bartenders: What’s the Trendiest Shot to Order Right Now? (2025)

VinePair

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

This is a delicious combination of sweet, smoky, herbaceous, and bitter goodness. It really works well chilled but it’s also just served neat depending on the bartender. Hard-to-get bottles like Malrt are being brought across state lines by New Yorkers eager to experience the cult-favorite, ber-bitter liqueur.

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Head Bartender Shooter

Bar Management Zone

We Asked 16 Bartenders: What’s the Most Underrated Cheap Bourbon?

We Asked 21 Bartenders: What’s the Best Vodka for Mixing Cocktails?

Trending Sources

We Asked 10 Bartenders: What’s the Trendiest Shot to Order Right Now?

We Asked 11 Bartenders: What’s the Best New Bourbon That’s Earned a Spot On Your Bar? (2024)

10 Mocktails for 2024

We Asked 20 Bartenders: What’s the Most Underrated Bourbon? (2024)

10 Mocktails for 2024

We Asked 13 Bartenders: Which Cocktail Do You Wish People Would Order More? (2024)

We Asked 11 Bartenders: Which Scotch Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck? (2023)

We Asked 19 Bartenders: What’s Your Go-To Bourbon? (2024)

We Asked 25 Bartenders: What’s the Best Scotch for Cocktails?

We Asked 22 Bartenders: What’s the Best New Spirit You’ve Added to Your Bar?

We Asked 14 Bartenders: What’s the One Cheap Rum You Secretly Love for Daiquiris?

We Asked 18 Bartenders: What’s the Trendiest Shot to Order Right Now? (2025)

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