I had to mention this fab little cocktail party my friends Sam & Gary had the other night. It was a low key gathering with one AMAZING bartender named Nick. Nick is an expert mixologists, like he has won awards for drinks he has invented. He works at the Montage if you live in So Cal and want to check him out. The guy has mad skills.
I have seen plenty of bartenders make delicious drinks but I have never seen anyone as passionate about the art of drink making as Nick. Not only does he know about a zillion cocktails by heart but he has a collection of exotic alcohols and top notch tools. Nick not only knows the drink components like the back of his hand but he knows how they are derived and the lore behind some of his favorite cocktails.
I was so impressed, I literally just sat at the bar memorized as he whipped up Manhattans and Pink Ladies. He even got me to drink gin which I NEVER do thanks to one REALLY bad night in Hawaii when I was 19. Nick totally inspired me to take my drink making to the next level.
[and yes that is a raw egg he put into my drink!]
Here are a few must have tools I saw him using:
This is a Swizzle Stick - SHOP
This is a Muddler - SHOP
This is called a Jigger -SHOP
Lemon Squeezer - SHOP
