The Cocktail Academy

• What It Really Takes to Win World Class: Keegan McGregor Breaks It Down

  In this episode, Damian sits down with Keegan McGregor, 2024 World Class Global Bartender of the Year. Based in Halifax, Keegan shares the journey from touring musician to top-tier cocktail craftsman. They dive deep into how travel fuels his creativity, why he believes bartending is an expressive art form, and the surprising ingredients he's using to push Canadian cocktail culture forward. Expect sharp insights on competition prep, community, and why authenticity is the ultimate edge.📌 Topics CoveredFrom death metal gigs to global cocktail stagesWinning World Class: what changed the third timeWhy flavor is the ultimate creative starting pointHow Halifax and Newfoundland shaped his style“Taste the brand, not just the category” – advice for competitionsEmbracing mushrooms, seaweed, birch sap, and pawpawCancelling straws (for real)Why new bartenders need to collaborate, not competeThe most underrated ingredient behind the barBuilding better menus, training better staff💬 Standout Quotes“You don’t have to win World Class to grow—you just have to show up and be yourself.”“Taste the brand, not just the category. That’s how you win brand-led competitions.”“Straws are out. Let your nose do the work.”📚 Resources & MentionsBooks:Roundbuilding by Kevin ArmstrongDeath & Co (first edition)Meehan’s Bartender ManualThe Flavor MatrixThe Vegetarian Flavor BibleTechniques & Tools:Superjuice, yogurt clarification, mushroom infusionsTanqueray 10, Don Julio 1942, Johnny Walker BlueBars & Projects:Highwayman (Halifax)Three Sheets (London pop-up)Montreal Cocktail FestivalThe infamous “Screech-In” tradition explained👥 Connect with Keegan📸 Instagram: @keeganmakescocktails👋 Connect with The Cocktail Academy🌍 Website: www.thecocktailacademy.com 📸 Instagram: @welovecocktails 📧 Email: [email protected] 🎧 Support us on Patreon for bonus content & The Lock-In📣 Call to ActionIf you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, or leave a review wherever you listen. It helps more bartenders and cocktail lovers discover the show and grow with the community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• The Educated Barfly: Why Technique, Not Trends, Builds Better Bars

  In this episode of The Cocktail Academy Podcast, Damian Cole sits down with Leandro DiMonriva — better known as The Educated Barfly — to explore what it really takes to combine bartending, content creation, and cocktail education at the highest level.Leandro shares his journey from LA’s bar scene to YouTube success, how he uses technique to elevate even the simplest cocktails, and why authenticity and consistency matter more than chasing trends. They also discuss his upcoming book Home Bartending Mastery and what sets it apart from today’s crowded cocktail book shelf.Whether you're a bartender, bar owner, or drinks educator, this episode is loaded with practical insights and hard-earned wisdom.🧠 Topics Covered:Leandro’s transition from bartender to YouTube creatorWhy technique makes or breaks a cocktailThe problem with original recipes and the myth of complexityWhat makes Home Bartending Mastery differentThe reality of creator burnout and staying inspiredNavigating brand partnerships and setting your value📘 Leandro’s BookHome Bartending Mastery – Coming October 2025 A beginner-friendly book that teaches how to make pro-quality drinks at home, with an emphasis on technique and balance.🔗 Connect with Leandro📺 YouTube: The Educated Barfly 📸 Instagram: @theeducatedbarfly 🎙️ Podcast: The Good Spirits Project (YouTube only)🔗 Connect with Damian & The Cocktail Academy🌐 Website: www.thecocktailacademy.com 📸 Instagram: @welovecocktails 📱 TikTok: @welovecocktailsx 📘 Facebook: @welovecocktailsx 🎙️ Patreon: patreon.com/thecocktailacademy 📧 Email: [email protected]🎙️ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review, hit follow, and share it with your crew. Want more? Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and deep-dive "Lock-In" sessions with hospitality's best and brightest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Jawbox & the Belfast Cut: Gerry White’s Blueprint for Great Bars

  In this episode, Damian sits down with the inimitable Gerry White – a true Belfast legend whose name is etched into the city’s hospitality scene. From pulling pints in White’s Tavern to creating one of Ireland’s most iconic gins... Jawbox Gin, Gerry shares the stories, the characters, and the moments that shaped his journey.We talk bar culture, Belfast’s changing landscape, the soul of a great pub (hint: it's always the people), and how a sink inspired one of the most recognisable gin brands around.From distilling with Echlinville to using Black Mountain heather and championing the Belfast Cut, this is an episode rich in local flavour and genuine heart. Gerry is the kind of storyteller that makes you want to pull up a stool, order a gin, and settle in.💬 Quote of the Episode:“Furniture just sits there. It’s the people behind the bar who draw your customers in.”🎧 Listen Now:Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.🔒 Want more?Join us on Patreon for The Lock-In – the after-hours conversation where we dig deeper with our guests. This week, Gerry gets real about the financial realities of launching a gin brand from scratch. Only on Patreon.👉 patreon.com/thecocktailacademy📲 Connect with The Cocktail Academy:InstagramTikTok Website – www.thecocktailacademy.com📧 Contact Damian:For sponsorship, training, or media inquiries: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Erick Castro - Bartender at Large

  In this episode of The Cocktail Academy Podcast, host Damian Cole sits down with Erick Castro — bartender, bar owner, and creator of the acclaimed Bartender at Large podcast — for a wide-ranging conversation that spans decades of hospitality, creative evolution, and the fundamentals of great bartending.From scrubbing dishes as a teenager to launching industry-leading bars like Raised by Wolves and Gilly's, Erick shares his origin story, the pivotal moments that shaped his cocktail education, and why bartending is more demanding (and rewarding) than ever before.This episode covers:Erick’s journey from beer-slinging nightclubs to craft cocktail institutionsThe early books and mentors that fueled his obsession with cocktailsWhy learning the classics is still the most important skill for new bartendersThe rise of isolated acids, slushy machines, and the role of flavor depthHow Bartender at Large became one of the world’s most loved cocktail podcastsCollaboration, creativity, and why hospitality must compete with smartphonesThe importance of hobbies and real-world inspiration in avoiding burnoutWhether you're a bartender, a bar owner, or a cocktail enthusiast, this episode is packed with advice, humor, and practical wisdom from one of the most respected voices in the industry.🔗 Connect with Erick: Instagram: @hungrybartender Podcast: Bartender at Large 🔗 Connect with Damian: Instagram: @welovecocktails TikTok: @welovecocktailsx Website: thecocktailacademy🎙️ Subscribe, review, and share with a friend who’s serious about drinks, craft, and community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Sugar, Neon & Mistakes: Educating Your Palate Through the Worst Cocktails Ever

  In this episode, Damian takes us on a nostalgic, neon-lit journey through the "Dark Ages of Cocktails"—a period spanning from the 1970s to the early 2000s when bright colors, sweet mixers, and questionable balance ruled the bar.You'll hear:🍹 What made this era the "Dark Ages" — and why cocktail historians like David Wondrich and Dale DeGroff were not fans.🍒 The rise (and fall) of drinks like the Midori Sour, Sex on the Beach, Appletini, and Tequila Sunrise.🧊 How frozen drinks and slush machines became cocktail villains—and how they’re being redeemed today.🔬 Why precision, balance, and proper technique matter—even for drinks served in hurricane glasses with plastic monkeys.📚 Callouts to legends like Dale DeGroff, Audrey Saunders, Gaz Regan, and Dave Arnold (of Liquid Intelligence fame).Damian also shares personal insights from when he first started mixing drinks during the tail end of this sugar-drenched era, and how the craft cocktail movement slowly clawed its way back to balance and brilliance.Featured topics include:Cocktail trends from the '70s to early 2000sSweet vs. balanced drinksHow slush machines got a bad rapCocktail reconstruction: Making the Amaretto Sour, Midori Sour, and others actually taste goodScientific cocktail batching and freezing tipsModern classics and how to respect your cocktail rootsFollow us for more cocktail history, technique, and drinks culture:📸 Instagram: @welovecocktails🎵 TikTok: @welovecocktailsx📘 Facebook: WeLoveCocktailsx📝 Subscribe, rate, and review – Let us know:💥 What’s the worst cocktail you've ever had?💡 Which forgotten drink deserves a comeback? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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