Daydream Playbook Entry #31

From where do you draw creative inspiration?

One thing I love about bartending is the creative freedom it allows to just kinda go nuts and experiment with flavors. I think inspiration can come from anywhere or anything, but I often get ideas when I'm on the road and traveling. There's something about being in a different environment that can open your eyes to new things, or discover something that makes you say, "Hmmmm ... I wonder how I can capture THAT in a cocktail." But I also get inspired by colors, music, the changing seasons, popular trends, and just wanting to experiment with new techniques. 

What inspires you when creating new cocktails?

Honestly, it usually starts with a trip to the farmers market and a vague idea of something that I want to create. Ultimately, I'm just trying to concoct and deliver an experience that plays with your senses and fits the occasion.  

Breaking from tradition can be difficult – how do you go about putting your own spin on a classic cocktail, while still maintaining the integrity of the original recipe to keep drinkers both excited and appeased?

My approach to this really comes down to identifying the backbone of the classic recipe and treating that as the foundation of the new creation moving forward. Once you establish the core ratio of spirit, sweet, sour, bitter, etc., of a standardized recipe, you can start to play around with different ingredients and measurements to go off in a new direction and tell a story that feels familiar, while paying homage to the original. There are so many "variations on a classic" these days, but it takes a lot more than swapping out one or two ingredients to actually be able to claim it as a "new" innovation. This is where it's important to take chances and experiment boldly – cause you never know when you're gonna land on a formula that really hits and appeals to your guests. 

In your opinion, what is THE perfect cocktail?

This is an unfair question, because there are too many options and way too many variables! Every single one of us has different preferences, and different circumstances call for different drinks. However, for a cocktail to be perfect, every ingredient – from the base spirit down to a single drop of bitters or salinity – has to serve a distinct purpose in supporting the flavor profile of the drink. The devil is in the details: how it's presented, the style of glassware, temperature, measurements, aromatics, and garnish should all be taken into account when making the cocktail. At the end of the day, the perfect drink is the one that satisfies the guest! It doesn't have to be overly complex – it just has to hit the spot for the person imbibing! 

What is your advice for someone aspiring to be a mixologist?

Learn the fundamentals and get familiar with the classics. Gain an understanding of spirit categories and their flavor profiles. Study resources. Get practical experience by working your way up. Taste ingredients separately to understand how acidity, sweetness, and bitterness balance in a glass in order to train your palate. Use quality ingredients whenever possible. Invest in good bar tools and learn how to use them properly. Practice your technique. Find a mentor. Have fun and don't take yourself too seriously. 

What creative endeavors do you pursue when you’re not behind the bar?

When I'm not working, I love to get outside, try new things, spend time with friends, and travel ... but when I really need to unwind and decompress, you can usually find me on my couch with my cat, Jack, reading, watching TV or just enjoying some quiet. There is something to be said for having a solid work/life balance and recharging your own battery so that you can continue to do that work that you love.