Oh, that voodoo that you do. Practicing that dubious black art known as top-notch (top shelf?) mixology. And for the cocktail obsessives, the world’s a better place because of you.
Hats off to our top 5 famous mixologists that go to extremes to turn an empty glass into a work of drinkable art.
Dale Degroff
Known as “King Cocktail” Dale knows his way around a bottle.
Degroff is a true expert behind the art of cocktails. He built his mixologist talents and techniques through tending at New York’s famous Rainbow Room in the 80s where he mixed classic and great tasting, ready to drink cocktails.
He’s the winner of two James Beard Awards for Wine and Spirits Professional, a Life Achievement Award, and even the author behind The Essential Cocktail and The Craft of the Cocktail.
It’s obvious that Degroff is an unbelievable mixologist. He is also the founding president of the Museum of the American Cocktail.
Simon Difford
Hopping over to London, Simon Difford is the creator behind book Difford’s Guide to Cocktails where it’s obvious this guy’s a total machine at ripping up the lounge.
Simon owns his own bar, the Cabinet Room, and is rumored to be one of the best-stocked bars on earth- if not the galaxy.
Hidetsugu Ueno
One look at this guy and you know he’s got the magic in him. Owner of Ginza-style Bar High Five in Tokyo, he has given most western mixologists a run for their money.
World-renowned, this mixologist consistently won or placed as a finalist in leading cocktail contests for various spirits (rum, gin, and, of course, Suntory whiskey) almost since he first took his revered spot behind the bar.
We think his outgoing personality would bide well giving a surprise appearance at one of our fave Boston sports bars!
Ueno doesn’t rely on a menu. He and his fellow bartenders try to gauge what a customer wants and give it a good run.
Ueno’s White Lady and Japanese Garden cocktails are a marvel in their own right, but it’s his “ice diamond” carving that has made him truly legendary. Check out the video.
Aristotelis Papadopoulos
Jumping over to Greece, our next famous mixologist, Aristotelis Papadopoulos, started bartending at just 19 years old when he joined the bar Mediteranee in his home city, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Papadopoulos has won the international final of World Class in 2009.
Visiting Seoul, Guatemala, Amsterdam, Bordeaux, and Cognac, he’s gathered the innermost secrets this craft has to offer. He continues to please with his golden touch. Such a beautiful drink!
Steven Olson
Steven writes all over the world about wine, beer, spirits, sake, and virtually any other beverage under the sun.
He discusses their integral cause-and-effect relationship with food as he preaches the gospel of his mission: making tasting fun by removing the intimidation factor and the pretense.
Gotta love that, although we know those California cult wines can be somewhat intimidating.
Olson’s company, aka wine geek, based upon his standing as one of America’s foremost experts and most sought-after lecturers in the business.
His 30+ years of experience in the restaurant business specializes in beverage and service consulting and has focused on the professional presentation of beverage education for the trade, consumers, press and the media since 1992.
Steven is always striving to empower both members of the trade and consumers to make their own decisions and to trust their own palates.
