This site uses cookies to improve your experience. To help us insure we adhere to various privacy regulations, please select your country/region of residence. If you do not select a country, we will assume you are from the United States. Select your Cookie Settings or view our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Used for the proper function of the website
Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Strictly Necessary: Used for the proper function of the website
Performance/Analytics: Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
From Tacoma to Tampa, there are cocktails and bars littered throughout the country where talented, creative bartenders are mixing up classic and contemporary drinks. If you want to be known as a bartender worth your salt, many classic drinks should be perfected first. This includes the Gin & Tonic, Negroni, Gimlet, and more.
These are the workhorses, the reliable voices in the bartender’s orchestra, always ready to harmonize with bitters, liqueurs, and fresh ingredients. This is just a snapshot of the spirits that keep bartenders around the world stocked and inspired. So, what bottles reign supreme on top shelves across the country?
To find out which cocktails elevate different popular dishes — and vice versa — we hit up 10 bartenders from across the country to get their top picks. Daniela Pedraza, winner of VinePair’s Best New Bartender Competition 2025 and bartender, Bentonville, Ark. Drew Furlough, bartender, Amazonia , Washington, D.C.
King Coffee Aged rum anchors this after-dinner drink. Matriarch Martini For her Speed Rack–winning Espresso Martini recipe, bartender Haley Traub found inspiration from her mom’s Black Forest trifle dessert. Honeyed Coffee Gin & Tonic Cold-brew and honey boost the classic G&T.
When this craving hits out at a bar, it might be tempting to ask the bartender for an “extra strong” drink. Or “I’ll have a strong Rum and Coke.” However, these requests tend to be vague, so bartenders are left not knowing what exactly the consumer wants. But according to industry pros, that might not be the best approach.
“If only I’d thought of it first,” said every bartender, at least once. The mashup of the iconic Ramos Gin Fizz and the Champagne Piña Colada from London’s Coupette was so simple, yet so clever, and it completely stole my heart (as did my now-wife, whom I also happened to meet and share this cocktail with on said trip). The solution?
Over the course of two days, attendees explored emerging spirits categories through sessions like An Exploration into Alpine Spirits , Reclaiming the Spotlight: The Future of Gin , and Building Better Rum Communities. The event received high praise from exhibitors for its seamless organization and strong industry impact.
Rum Sorel & Soda Ingredients 1 part Sorel 2 parts Club Soda Preparation Combine Sorel & club soda in glass of choice with ice, garnish with citrus. Additional Notes * Recommended: Fever-Tree Ginger Beer Rum , Tequila Charro-Cereza by Bartender Saeed “Hawk” House Ingredients.5 Garnish with lime. Sorel 1 oz. Sorel 3/4 oz.
Negroni Sbagliato While the Sbagliato is said to be the result of a busy bartender mistakenly using sparkling wine instead of gin in a Negroni , it turned out to be a pretty happy accident. The Lyndy Hop The Vesper gets dressed up for the holidays in The Violet Hour’s twist on the classic.
Our judging panel comprised of working bartenders, bar managers, bar owners, bar consultants and, more importantly, top influential Chilled 100 members with on-premise buying power, who are ready to judge, rate, and award your spirit’s brand. Enter you brand today to get liquid to lips of these highly influential bartenders!
Sip on the Bombay Rose, a delicate mix of gin, lychee, and rose water thats as elegant as a bouquet of flowers. Photo by Virgin Hotels NYC Tequila Aphrodites Arrow by Everdene Head Bartender, Marlon Rowley Ingredients 1 oz. Rum , Vermouth Beachwalk Bellini by Christina Maffei Ingredients 1 oz. BACARD Peach Rum 4 oz.
Frozen Gin & Tonic What’s more refreshing on a summer day than a Gin & Tonic? A frozen Gin & Tonic, especially one made with cooling cucumber. Frozen Jungle Bird This recipe ups the ante of the classic Jungle Bird by splitting the rum base five ways and throwing it all in a blender.
Gin , Liqueur French Jasmine Tonic by Chambord Liqueur Ingredients 3/4 oz. Fords Gin 6 drops Jasmine Water 3 oz. Gin Cham-Bramble by Chambord Liqueur Ingredients 1 oz. Tequila Aphrodite’s Arrow by Virgin Hotels NYC’s Everdene Head Bartender, Marlon Rowley Ingredients 1 1/2 oz. Sammy’s Beach Bar Red Head Rum, divided 4 oz.
Out of the many contemporary cocktails on the site, the ones that most captivated adventurous home bartenders included variations on classics, such as the Last Word–inspired Green Eyes and the Negroni-inspired Bicycle Thief. Twelve Mile Limit This Prohibition-era recipe made with overproof rum, rye whiskey, and cognac is worth revisiting.
Last year Baba au Rum celebrated 15 years since opening its doors. Raising a glass to 15 years of Baba Au Rum, founder Thanos Prunarus And this was Baba au Rum – what was the driving thought and the motivation for this? Every bartender wants to open their own bar at some point. I love whiskey as well, but rum is more fun.
Gunpowder Irish Gin The Gunpowder story starts with The Curious Mind of PJ Rigney, whose thirst for travel led him to 12 countries in far-flung corners around the world. Perfect for your ultimate Gin & Tonic. It presents complex notes of fruit, sweet spices, and leather, ending with a slightly peaty finish.
Bartenders are discovering a wide range of cocktails that benefit from its rich, creamy coconut flavor. “It Gin , Liqueur Coconut Collins by Bartender Erin Rea Ingredients 2 oz. 9 Gin ¾ oz. Rum , Vodka White Coconut Martini Ingredients 1 ¼ oz. coconut rum ½ oz. spiced rum 3 oz. pineapple rum 1 oz.
Rather than ordering a classic like a Gin & Tonic or Old Fashioned and asking the bartender to make it strong , there are a few particularly powerful cocktails that pack a punch all on their own. The recipe calls for light rum, dark rum, and overproof rum, not to mention apricot brandy and grenadine.
Improved Grasshopper New Orleans bartender Paul Gustings’ formula for the Grasshopper draws a better flavor balance from a unique mixture of liqueurs. Rum Walnut Alexander With aged rum, demerara syrup and walnut liqueur, this is a decadent, nutty take on the Brandy Alexander. Créme de Funk An over-the-top decadent drink.
Today marks the 90th anniversary of Prohibition’s repeal, and to celebrate our right to openly raise a glass, we checked in with bartender, writer and keeper of repealday.org , Jeffrey Morgenthaler, for five of his favorite toast-worthy tipples—here are his picks. Manhattan “I always think of Manhattans when I think of Prohibition.”
The Torii, a favorite off the menu, trades the gin for sweet potato shochu and adds Amontillado sherry, imbuing the aperitivo with a nutty aroma. For the Aesthete, a rum variation, sherry and chestnut enrich the cocktail bringing nutty flavors and rich aromas. Mixed into a Negroni, it maximizes those vibrant orange notes.
ANGOSTURA® 200-Year Anniversary Limited-Edition bitters pairs globally influenced spices and herbs and ANGOSTURA® aged rum for the first time ever! Celebrating 200 Years of Bitters and Cocktail Creative Excellence Since 1824, ANGOSTURA bitters have been an essential and secret ingredient for bartenders and cocktail lovers alike.
Recently launched in Emeryville, Pippal’s beverage program is a celebration of India as seen through the eyes of the team’s creative lead bartender, Izler Thomas. Rum , Vermouth Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Ingredients 1.5 Agricole Rum.5 Gin Jim Corbett National Park Ingredients 1.5 Gin 1/2 oz. Campari 1.5
For example, if you are a tiki bar, then you want your menu to reflect cocktails, liquors, beers, and flavors that match a tropical and Caribbean theme, i.e. rums and frozen drinks. Implement a cocktail menu that uses different spirits, such as vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey and different flavor profiles.
Recently launched in Emeryville, Pippal’s beverage program is a celebration of India as seen through the eyes of the team’s creative lead bartender, Izler Thomas. Rum , Vermouth Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Ingredients 1.5 Agricole Rum.5 Gin , Liqueur Jim Corbett National Park Ingredients 1.5 Gin 1/2 oz.
With such an exceptional pedigree of natural and cosmopolitan character for over two centuries, it takes a world-class bartender of extraordinary talent to build on and enhance the cultural cachet of Saratoga Springs. How long have you been in the Mixology / Bartending world & where did you get your start? of white rum 3/4 oz.
Start by sharing your go-to cocktail and then witness the spin Bisou bartenders put on it. “I love a gin Martini , wet with a lemon twist and a bit of homemade crème fraîche liqueur,” says Noirbusson, or “an Espresso Martini with rhum and cacao.” ” In true Parisian style, allow plenty of time to linger.
Drawing from his own experiences, Evan has valuable suggestions for bartenders who harbor dreams of one day opening their own bar. Photo by Noah Fecks Gin , Liqueur , Vermouth Chocolate Negroni Ingredients 1 oz. Dark Rum 1 oz. Amber Rum ½ oz. If you just show up and do the minimum, you’ll never make it as an owner.
Christoph Dornemann, Head Bartender at Arnaud’s French 75 Bar in New Orleans, Louisiana, began his career in the industry waiting tables at a Vietnamese restaurant in 2010. He progressed to the back of the house and worked as an expeditor, pastry chef, and then moved onto food preparation at a catering company.
Whether were talking about navy-strength gin , cask-strength whiskey , still-strength tequilas , or overproof rums , there are more options to indulge in uncut versions of the spirits we love than ever before. As such, their rich profiles can carry over to cocktails, allowing bartenders to showcase these spirits in their purest form.
is a question bartenders get often, but the answer is usually conditional. And although there might be a solid list of house cocktails to choose from, there persist some cocktail classics, wild concoctions, and underrated favorites that bartenders wish their customers would reach for. The citrus and the orange liqueur tame the gin.
Australian Bartender’s annual Bar Awards are back for its 24 th year running, showcasing the best of the best within each given category. The finalists will be announced in the July issue of Australian Bartender and online here at australianbartender.com.au. This is not about the opinions of bar reviewers and critics.
After conquering low-lift highballs and easy equal-parts concoctions, most aspiring bartenders are eager to step into the big leagues and attempt more intricate cocktails. For other more complex cocktails, like the Ramos Gin Fizz , nailing it is a little more straightforward. Here’s what they had to say. Patience is the key.
It is not one spirit, but at least twelve unique spirits that can be as different as gin is to tequila, so a bartender needs to understand what style they’re working with and what it brings to a cocktail. Many bartenders are already getting creative with baijiu tiki cocktails in imaginative ways.
Jack Daniels, Maker’s Mark, Hendrick’s Gin, Belvedere Vodka and a fine selection of rums. Have you ever been a bartender? I like to sip Jack on the rocks when I light up a cigar at home. Tell us about your home bar. What is it stocked with? Yes, I have, when I owned a restaurant in Miami from 2002-2004. It was called IL Fico.
BARTENDER ® 2024 Calendar issue BARTENDER® 2024 Calendar issue featuring new cocktails recipes each day of the year from Philters, Four Pillars Gin, Stranahan’s, Cointreau, Tanteo Tequila, Coco Lopez, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Ole Smoky Distillery, Goslings Rum, Licor 43, Vermouth Giardino, Absinthe Absente.
“The menus are based on common stops on old nautical routes of the 1800s, in which sherry and rum get a lot of use, while a large back bar of bourbon and rye gives opportunities for curious patrons to expand their palates.” It’s a beautiful, intimate space with no TVs, attentive bartenders, and an instant feeling of coming home.”
“Pandan is strong and will stand out in cocktails, but also subtle enough that it can still let the spirit shine,” says Alex Law, lead bartender for Bar Podmore in Honolulu. “It It works well with everything from gin or agave to whiskey or rum.” white rum 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice 3/4 oz. coconut syrup 1/2 oz.
Rum is one of the most complex, diverse spirit categories out there. In many of the world’s best cocktail bars, you’ll find bartenders borrowing a technique that’s been touted for almost a century: mixing multiple rums in a single drink. Why Do Bartenders Blend Rums?
In the Sept/Oct 2024 issue , Christine Sismondo explores how bartenders are working with farms to create unique and fresh flavors by transforming seasonal produce into cocktail ingredients. Stone Fruit Liqueurs Make liqueurs with cherries, peaches, or plums by adding the fruit to alcohol (vodka, gin, or rum) and letting them infuse.
When anyone embarks on their bartending journey, one of the first steps is usually learning how to make the classics: Old Fashioneds, Martinis, Negronis, Daiquiris, and the like. To find out which ones are the simplest to nail, we hit up 10 professional bartenders and got their input. It elevates the drink to top-tier status.”
It’s a place where you can really see the artistry of bartending come to life.” “My go-to drink is a well-crafted Martini—it’s a true test of a bartender’s skill. It’s well-stocked with a variety of high-quality spirits, including gin, whiskey, tequila, and rum. ” What drinks do you order when out?
There are different takes on which spirits/wines will reach their peak in 2024, with some believing the craft gin movement will reach a highpoint, and others predicting more of a focus on rum, with tequila still reigning supreme.
Not long ago, bartenders mainly relied on sweet & sour mix. Today, we’re in an era where molecular mixology is at a fever pitch, and more bartenders than ever are designing menus with sustainability in mind. Beyond being a litmus test for balance, the drink only contains three ingredients: light rum , sugar, and lime juice.
We organize all of the trending information in your field so you don't have to. Join 5,000+ users and stay up to date on the latest articles your peers are reading.
You know about us, now we want to get to know you!
Let's personalize your content
Let's get even more personalized
We recognize your account from another site in our network, please click 'Send Email' below to continue with verifying your account and setting a password.
Let's personalize your content