The Cocktail Academy

• The Carbonation Episode: How Two Bartenders Bottled a Movement

  Damian is joined by Bart Miedeksza and Valentino Girotto, longtime collaborators, former bar owners, and co-authors of Bubbles: A Guide to Carbonated Cocktails. In this first half of the episode, they dive into the origins of their partnership, the evolution of Crossroads Bar into a consultancy, and the obsessive research process that led to their groundbreaking book. Expect tales of late-night DMs, deep dives into molecular flavor compounds, and why carbonation is more than just sparkle — it’s a science.🧪 What You’ll LearnHow Bart & Val transitioned from running bars to full-time consultingWhy they wrote Bubbles — and how an Instagram post forced their handCollaborating with a Cambridge professor to decode carbonation chemistryHow they used flavor compound mapping to reverse-engineer cocktailsWhy consistency trumps complexity in modern bar programsTips for designing menus with both guests and GP in mind🔗 Links & ResourcesCrossroads Consultancy🌐 www.crossroads.bar📸 @crossroads.consultancyThe Book📘 Bubbles: A Guide to Carbonated Cocktails — available via their website.🔒 Bonus ContentTo hear the exclusive Lock-In Session with Bart & Val — where we dive deeper into carbonation techniques, common pitfalls, and pro tips — head to thecocktailacademy.com.🎧 Hosted by Damian Cole📸 @welovecocktails🌐 www.thecocktailacademy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Jeff Morgenthaler: Cocktails, Calculators & Cutting the BS

  In this episode of The Cocktail Academy Podcast, Damian sits down with one of modern bartending’s most influential voices Jeffrey Morgenthaler. Known for his no-nonsense approach to cocktails, pioneering work at Clyde Common, and the bestselling Bar Book, Jeff shares practical insights from 30 years behind the stick.Together, they dive into what’s changed in the bar world, what hasn’t, and why sometimes the most successful drinks are the simplest. From how to make a better Amaretto Sour, to why great bars can thrive outside major cities, this conversation is full of sharp, honest, and empowering takeaways for bartenders and bar owners alike.🍸 What You'll LearnJeff’s journey from architecture student to world-renowned bartender and authorHow the cocktail landscape has shifted over three decadesWhy small cities can outperform major cocktail hubs with the right approachThe myth of “cool” cocktails — and why the most popular drinks shouldn’t be ignoredThe story behind The Bar Book and why it’s still one of the most recommended in the gameJeff’s thoughts on RTDs, gin overload, and emerging spirits trendsThe rise of bartender burnout — and why hospitality starts with taking care of yourselfGame-changing tools: batching, syrup ratios, and consistency tips from the trenchesThe difference between service and hospitality — and how to hire people who “get it”How to build drink menus that actually work — for your team and your guests🛠️ Resources Mentionedjeffreymorgenthaler.com – Jeff’s official website with blogs, recipes, and free toolssyrupcalc.com – Free syrup calculatorbatchcalc.com – Free batching calculatorThe Bar Book: Elements of Cocktail Technique by Jeffrey MorgenthalerDrinking Distilled: A User’s Manual by Jeffrey MorgenthalerRegarding Cocktails by Sasha PetraskeThe Joy of Mixology by Gary ReganCosmopolitan: A Bartender’s Life by Toby Cecchini📣 Perfect For:Bartenders looking to sharpen their skillsBar managers refining their training or menusBar owners in small markets trying to raise the standardAnyone tired of cocktail snobbery and ready to build great hospitality from the ground up📲 Connect with The Cocktail AcademyWebsite: www.thecocktailacademy.com Instagram: @welovecocktails TikTok: @welovecocktailsx Facebook: @welovecocktailsx Email: [email protected]📲 Connect with Jeffrey MorgenthalerInstagram: @jeffmorgen Website: jeffreymorgenthaler.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Flavour First: A New Way to Taste with Reece Sims of Flavor Camp

  In this episode of The Cocktail Academy Podcast, Damian sits down with spirits educator and founder of Flavor Camp™, Reece Sims a true innovator when it comes to helping people taste differently.Reece shares her winding path from marketing to bartending, blogging, sales, and finally launching her own immersive spirits education platform. She dives into the origins of Flavor Camp, explaining how her flavour-camp system simplifies the overwhelming world of spirits and empowers people to explore based on taste, not just category or branding.We cover:Reece’s unorthodox entry into bartending (with a little résumé creativity)Building a million-dollar cocktail kit business during the pandemicWhy most tastings are biased and how Flavor Camp flips the scriptThe structure of a Flavor Camp session, including gamified blind tastingsHow her marketing background shaped the business modelThe power of visual learning and why icons, colours, and simplified cues matterThis episode is a masterclass in combining creativity, sensory science, and hospitality experience to build something truly useful and fun.🛑 Want more? Stick around for The Lock-In — a bonus segment where we talk practical tasting tips, flavor fatigue, judging spirits, and some hot takes on overrated bottles. Available exclusively on thecocktailacademy.com📲 Connect with ReeceInstagram: @flavorcampPersonal: @reecesimsWebsite & Free Resources: www.flavorcamp.com📲 Connect with Damian / The Cocktail AcademyInstagram: @welovecocktailsTikTok & Facebook: @welovecocktailsxWebsite: www.thecocktailacademy.comEmail: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• From Finance to Fernet: Kara Newman’s Journey in Spirits Journalism

  In this episode, Damian sits down with one of the sharpest pens (and palates) in the cocktail world — Kara Newman. Known for her work as a spirits reviewer for Wine Enthusiast and her no-nonsense, consumer-friendly cocktail books, Kara shares the unique journey that took her from writing about pork belly futures to profiling the future of drinks.Together, they unpack the importance of equal-parts cocktails, the genius of batching, and why cocktail families are the real secret weapon behind classic and modern drinks. Kara also reflects on what she looks for when tasting spirits, the challenge of translating bartender intuition into writing, and why the rise of agave spirits (and even cheesy Dorito distillates) is reshaping what lands on our bar shelves.🧠 What You'll LearnHow Kara moved from finance journalism to becoming one of the most trusted voices in drinks writingWhy Shake. Stir. Sip. became a sleeper hit with both home bartenders and industry prosThe power of equal-parts cocktails for building flavor literacy and techniqueKara’s approach to blind spirits tasting — what makes a bottle stand out?The nuanced world of mezcal, destilados de agave, and why she’s careful when critiquing craftThe challenges and opportunities in the no- and low-alcohol space — including the hunt for new non-alcoholic "classics"A behind-the-scenes look at Kara’s writing process and what makes a good cocktail story stick🛠️ Kara’s Tools of the Trade📚 Books Mentioned:Shake. Stir. Sip. by Kara NewmanCocktails for a Crowd by Kara NewmanNightcap by Kara NewmanCocktail Codex by Death & CoRegarding Cocktails by Sasha Petraske & Georgette Moger-Petraske📦 Projects: Kara’s Cocktail Recipe Decks – A beautiful, accessible way to explore classics and creative riffs📲 Connect with Kara NewmanInstagram: @newman_karaBooks on Amazon: Search “Kara Newman” on AmazonArticles: Wine Enthusiast, Punch, Bloomberg, Food & Wine, and more🍸 Connect with The Cocktail AcademyInstagram: @welovecocktailsTikTok: @welovecocktailsxWebsite: www.thecocktailacademy.comPatreon: The Cocktail Academy Patreon🎧 Like What You Heard?If you found value in this episode, please consider:Subscribing to the showLeaving a quick reviewSharing with your fellow bartenders and spirits nerdsAnd don’t forget — the “Lock-In” bonus segment with Kara is available exclusively on Patreon, where we dive even deeper into upcoming spirits trends, bar media strategy, and what makes a bar memorable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Not Barspoon TV: Real Talk from the Service Trenches with Marco Ortiz

  Marco Ortiz is the creator behind the wildly relatable @not_barspoontv — where bartender humor meets real talk about burnout, content creation, and bar culture. In this episode, Marco shares his unexpected path from med school hopeful to cocktail competition winner and full-time lead bartender, all while growing an online presence that connects with bartenders worldwide.We talk about what keeps bartenders in the game, how to spot burnout before it spirals, why cocktail education needs an overhaul, and the difference between content that’s helpful vs. content that’s just for show. If you work behind the stick or run a bar program, this one’s for you.🔥 What We CoverHow Marco balances bartending full-time while growing a loyal online followingThe surprising backstory of how a cocktail comp beat out a chemistry finalWhy creators need to stop chasing algorithms and start speaking honestlyMarco’s take on burnout — what it looks like, and how to avoid it🥃 Connect With UsFollow Marco: @not_barspoontv Say hello to Damian: [email protected] Damian on Instagram @welovecocktails Support the show + access Lock-In bonus episodes: patreon.com/thecocktailacademy Learn more: www.thecocktailacademy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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