Bartender Journey - Cocktails. Spirits. Bartending Culture. Libations For Your Ears.

Mimi Bernham has been bartending in NYC for many years.  From crazy nightclubs to now working behind the stick at the great Porchlight Bar, the first dedicated cocktail bar from Danny Meyer’s restaurant group.  At Porchlight the bar team is doing amazing cocktails.  The staff & the hospitality are amazing. We talk to Mimi about her experiences as a bartender, the bar program at Porchlight and why joining the United States Bartenders’ Guild is so valuable for Bartenders. It the Bartender Journey Podcast Number 161.  Listen with the audio player on this page or: ·     Subscribe on iTunes ·     Listen on Stitcher Radio ·     Subscribe on Android We also talk about Bar Institute Baltimore.  It was an amazing three day educational and bonding event.  Classes were held all day, plus a tasting floor.  Events were held throughout the city at night.  Its was a wonderful event and we can not recommend it highly enough.  Bar Institute is taking the event “on the road”. It is extr

What's the best way to get your glasses clean?  Do we really need to polish every single glass?  Take a listen to the podcast as we talk to an expert on dishwashers!  Recorded at the Nightclub & Bar Show in Las Vegas.

Cocktail of the Week:  Pisco Sour ·     3 oz Pisco ·     1 oz Fresh Lime Juice ·     ¾ oz Simple Syrup ·     1 Egg White   Shake allingredients with ice. Strain out icewith Hawthorn Strainer. Shake againwithout ice, (“dry shake”) Pour intochilled cocktail couple Add 3 drops AngosturaBitters.  Use small knife to make adesign.   Book of the Week: The Bar Book: Elements of Cocktail Techniqueby JeffreyMorgenthaler

This week on the podcast its all about cocktail competitions.  Entering Bartending Competitions  is great for your bartendingskills.  It really gets youthinking about how to mix ingredients in new ways.  And if you advance to the semi finals, things start to getreally interesting! Listen with the audioplayer on this page or ·     Subscribe oniTunes ·     Listen onStitcher Radio ·      Subscribe onAndroid We’ll briefly give an overview about how these competitionswork and then talk with LynnHouse, National Brand Ambassador for Heaven Hill at the NY regional finals oftheir Bartender of the Year competition. The event was held at Analog on 8th Street in Manhattan,directly across the street from Electric Lady Studios, founded by Jimi Hendrix.So we will get some insight into the mind of a Bartending Competition Judgefrom the wonderful Lynn House! We also talk to Kate Large, brand ambassador for Copper& Kings American Brandy.  Theyhave a great cocktail competition going on, but the deadline is soon.

Plans for Tales Of The Cocktail 2016 are underway!  The yearly July gathering ofBartenenders from around the world is the premier event for the industry.  Director of Education for Tales, PhilipDuff, joins us for a chat at the Dead Rabbit in Manhattan.  Dead Rabbit was awarded World’s BestBar in 2015 at the Spirited Awards – the annual awards ceremony for theindustry, held during Tales each year. Listen to the podcast with the audio player on this page or: On the Bartender Journey Web Site Find us on iTunes Listen on Stitcher Radio In this episode of Bartender Journey we talk to Philip abouthow best to navigate Tales, about the various seminars, plus some predictionsfor the future of the Bar Business. The Tales Of The Cocktail 2016 schedule is now available. Dick Bradsell passed away recently.  He was a very influential in thecocktail world, especially in his native country England.  Mr. Bradsell invented, among otherdrinks, the Espresso Martini and the Bramble.  In Mr. Bradsell‘s honor, our Cockt

The Nightclub & Bar Show is the trade show run by Jon Taffer’s company. This week we take the show on the road to Las Vegas where we met lots of interesting people, saw some cool products and even had a cocktail or two!  We recorded lots of audio in Vegas and we’ll share so great conversations this week on Bartender Journey Podcast number 154. Listen with the audio player on this page or ·      On the Bartender Journey web site ·      Subscribe on iTunes ·      Listen on Stitcher Radio ·      Subscribe on Android   ·      Jesse Greenleaf works at the famous Dukes bar on Oaho Hawaii.  He gave a great talk called Aloha Attitude/Mahalo Mentality behind the bar.  I talked with Jesse after his seminar.  Among other things we talked about: o   Introducing guests to each other is a great thing to do to create a great atmosphere in a bar.  Jesse made a great point, “You are hosting a party.  At a party not all the guests are going to know each other at first.  Its up to the host

Whisky Live NYC was a great event.  We talk with Master of Whisky Gregor Cattanach about Scotch.  Plus we get ready for the Nightclub & Bar Show in Las Vegas!

Sother Teague of the great East Village NYC bar Amor y Amargohas a very specific and wonderful approach to hospitality.  During the Tampa Repeal Day Conference,Sother gave a great talk about the steps of service that are followed whenpeople come into his bar.  Ithought it was a really great seminar and something that everybody in theindustry could learn from.  Hecalled the seminar “The Psychology of the Room.  How to use Inherent Human Behavior to Guide People ThroughTheir Time in Your Space”. I asked Sother if he would be a guest on the BartenderJourney Podcast to talk about his great bar in Manhattan, and also about thegreat talk that he gave in Tampa. Listen with the audio player on this page or ·      On the Bartender Journey web site ·      Subscribe on iTunes ·      Listen on Stitcher Radio ·      Subscribe on Android Sother’s philosophy on service is designed to provide thebest possible experience for his guests. As he says “We don’t sell the drinks, the ice, the bitters.  All that stuff c

Usquaebach Scotch Whisky Usquaebach is a Blended Scotch Whisky.  We talk with U.S. Brand Ambassador Ryan Judson. Listen with the audio player on this page or ·      On the Bartender Journey web site ·      Subscribe on iTunes ·      Listen on Stitcher Radio ·      Subscribe on Android   The definition of a Single Malt Scotch is a whisky made from Malted Barley at a single distillery. A Blended Scotch whisky is made from Malted Barley, blended with wheat or corn whisky.  A Blended whisky is made from a blend of whiskies from several different distilleries. This does not make one better than the other, though many people have a misinformed preconception that Single Malts are superior.  Education & tasting is the key to overcoming these assumptions. Cocktail of the Week: Usquaebach Old Fashioned ·      3 oz. Usquaebach Reserve Scotch Whisky ·      1 oz. Almond Orgeat ·      3 dashes Orange Bitters ·      Orange Peel ·      Grated Cinnamon Stick Preparation: Stir all fi

Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr. Lyan) won International Bartender of the Year at the Spirited Awards at Tales of the Cocktail 2015.  We talk to Mr. Lyan about his innovative and unusual approach to cocktails.   We had the opportunity to interview Mr. Lyan at Dead Rabbit, (winner of World’s Best Bar 2015), at an event called the London Sessions. Listen with the audio player on this page or ·      On the Bartender Journey web site ·      Subscribe on iTunes ·      Listen on Stitcher Radio ·      Subscribe on Android We We also chat with Rebekkah Dooley, organizer of the London Sessions. Whisky Live NYC is coming up on February 24, 2016.  We have two tickets to give away to one lucky winner.  Just go to bartenderjourney.net and on the Contact page enter your information and a short note saying that you’d like to enter the Whisky Fest contest.  Winner chosen at random on Thursday 2/18/16 at 6pm eastern. We talk with Dave Sweet, President and owner of the Whisky Live events in North America.

February 1-5, 2016 was Unofficial Bartender Week in New York City.  Organized by the New York Chapter of the United Bartender's Guild, a great time was had by all!  Many thinks to the all the brands who sponsored events, the bars all around the City that welcomed us, and of course the team from USBG NY who worked very hard to put the event on. On Bartender Journey Podcast # 149, we recreate the week and give you a summary. Listen with the audio player on this page or:On the Bartender Journey Web Site Find us on iTunesListen on Stitcher RadioSubscribe on Android Plus, some advice from Bobby Heugel about opening your own bar or restaurant.  Our Book of the Week is Lost Recipes of Prohibition by Matthew Rowley.  Look inside a Bootleggers secret notebook and learn about America was able to find a drink during the U.S. government's Prohibition of alcohol. Cocktail of the Week: Paloma recipe #11 1/2 oz Silver Tequila (use 100% agave Tequila). Grapefruit Soda Pinch Salt Build in a highball glass with ice.  Pour Teq

Paris Cocktails Hear all about the cocktail scene in Paris with author of Paris Cocktails: An Elegant Collection of Over 100 Recipes Inspired by the City of Light.  This book is not just a cocktail book, but a boozy travel guide that can transport you to Paris, even if just in your mind. Its Bartender Journey Podcast # 148. Listen to the podcast with the audio player on this page or: On the Bartender Journey Web Site Subscribe on iTunes Listen on Stitcher Radio Subscribe on Android     BevSpot is Software to manage your entire beverage program.  From inventory to ordering, pour cost and ways to analyze your usage and sales.  They are basically in the business of making your bar run more efficiently and more profitably. CEO Rory Crawford tells us a bit about what it does and how it works.  We are proud to have BevSpot as our new sponsor! Go to BevSpot.com and request an online demo. Cocktail of the Week: Modified Sidecar ·       2 ½ oz Cognac ·       1 ½ oz Grand M

  Our guest this week is Erick Castro from Polite Provisions San Diego.  We talk about Cocktail Creation, Cocktail Competitions, and his new venture Bartender At Large. Its Bartender Journey Podcast # 147. Listen to the podcast with the audio player on this page or: On the Bartender Journey Web Site Subscribe on iTunes Listen on Stitcher Radio Subscribe on Android   BevSpot is Software to manage your entire beverage program.  From inventory to ordering, pour cost and ways to analyze your usage and sales.  They are basically in the business of making your bar run more efficiently and more profitably.  I had a talk with Co-Founder & CEO Rory Crawford.  He’s going to tell us a bit about what it does and how it works.  We are proud to have BevSpot as our new sponsor! Go to BevSpot.com and request an online demo. Cocktail of the Week: Kentucky Buck 2 ounces bourbon 3/4 ounce lemon 3/4 ounce ginger syrup 1 muddled strawberry 2 dashes Angostura bitters Shake and pour int

A well made Manhattan is one of the most satisfying, delicious and classy cocktails you can drink.  Tony Abou-Ganim said its like "Frank Sinatra in a glass...holding one in your hand gives you an instant status of high class, sophistication and quality". On Bartender Journey Podcast #146 we talk about this iconic Cocktail and a competition revolving around it.Listen to the podcast with the audio player on this page or:On the Bartender Journey Web Site Subscribe on iTunes Listen on Stitcher Radio Subscribe on Android Woodford Reserve and Liquor.com teamed up for the Manhattan Experience Cocktail Competition.To enter the contest, you must:“Provide your 'ideal' recipe for the classic Manhattan Cocktail using Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Bourbon, including the way you would serve it to guests”. Provide a second cocktail: “An original Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Cocktail that showcases the flavor profile of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and that you would proudly serve to guests in your own bar

Bartender Journey Podcast # 145 Listen with the audio player on this page or on: ·      The Bartender Journey Web Site ·      Subscribe on iTunes ·      Listen on Stitcher Radio ·      Subscribe on Android This week on the podcast, its all about Bartending Events & Competitions! Julia from the Mixology talk Podcast and Bar Above Blog is our guest.  She announces the online event - The Craft Bartender Summit!  This educational event will be held on April 17, 2016 and its FREE!  You can reserve your spot here. Upcoming Bartender Events & Competitions: ·      Diageo World Class Lab ·      Diageo World Class Cocktail Competiton To enter the Competition, you must attend at least one Lab, AND be a member of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG).  Click for a free 60 day trial membership to the USBG.   Cocktail of the Week, courtesy of A Bar Above: Favorite Things ·      1 ½ oz Light Rum ·       ½ oz Nocino           ·      3 Dashes Angostura bitters

We have two guests on the Bartender Journey podcast  # 144: o   Steve Reddicliffe, editor of The Essential New York Times Book of Cocktails o   Raza Zaidi - Wahaka Mezcal.  (We also talked about Mezcal with Misty Kolkofen in show #134) ·      Cocktail of the Week Cucumber, Salt & Smoke by Linden Pride o   One 1-inch cucumber slice, chopped o   1 oz Wahaka Mezcal Joven Espadin o   1 oz Kappa Pisco o   1 oz fresh lemon juice o   1 oz simple syrup o   Pinch of salt
 
 o   1 large egg white, slightly beaten o    3 drops of Peychaud’s bitters, for garnish o   In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucumber. Add the Kappa Pisco, Wahaka Mezcal, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white and salt and shake well. Add ice and shake again. Fine-strain into a chilled wineglass or coupe. Dot the drink with the Peychaud’s bitters and swirl decoratively. ·      This is a wonderful drink when served up.  I actually made it on the rocks because I received some extremely cool cocktail stirrer tops from Drynk

Irish Whiskey Part 2 with Tim Herlihy - U.S. Brand Ambassador for Tullamore D.E.W. Its the Bartender Journey Podcast # 143 Listen with the player on below, or subscribe on iTunes, Android or Stitcher Radio.On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Irish Whiskey Part 2 with Tim Herlihy - U.S. Brand Ambassador for Tullamore D.E.W. (Part 1 here).  We met Tim at Swift Hibernian Lounge and had a great chat! You can enter the Cider Shake Cocktail Competition (before December 31, 2015). PLEASE vote for the Bartender Journey Cider Shake entry!  Click here to go to youtube and vote "thumbs up" for Brian's video! Egg whites in Cocktails, Part 3:  "Aquafaba" - the brine in chickpea cans - apparently is a great substitution for egg whites in cooking and in making cocktails!  The advantages of Aquafaba over egg whites:Cheap and plentiful Reduced risk of Salmonella Guests may be more accepting Vegan There was recently a great article on Tales of the Cocktail's web site about substituting Aquafaba for egg whites

Its Christmas time and things are busy around here!  A short episode this week with Part One of the interview with Tim Herlihy, U.S. Brand Ambassador for Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey. Plus, the Cider Shake Cocktail Competition is on!  Enter at cidershake.com.  Whether or to you enter yourself, PLEASE vote for my video!  Click here and give it the thumbs up on youtube! Happy Holidays!

·      This week on the podcast, we talk about alternatives to Simple Syrup, how to win at competitions and revisit egg whites in Cocktails. Listen with the player below or subscribe iTunes or Stitcher Radio.  Bartender Journey Podcast # 141 ·      What is Gum syrup or (or Gomme) Syrup? Jennifer Colliau, founder of Small Hand Foods, describes it this way: “Gum syrup is simple syrup with gum Arabic  added to provide texture. Gum arabic doesn't have much flavor on its own, although I use organic sugar in my gum syrup, which has a light molasses flavor and gives the syrup a light amber color. Gum syrup is best in drinks that don't have any other ingredients that add viscosity, like Old Fashioneds, Sazeracs and Juleps.” o   So what is the gum Arabic that Jennifer mentioned? It is an all natural resin harvested from the Acacia tree. o   Jerry Thomas used Gum syrup in many of his recipes. o   Small Hand Foods makes many wonderful products, including: §  Gum syrup (See Whiskey Cocktail recipe below) §