Epilogue

There have been plenty of wonderful cocktail books arriving on shelves in the past few years, which is a terrific sign that we are evolving. Bartenders are taking the knowledge of these cocktail books and ushering them into their own bar programs throughout the country. Score. Ten points for all of us. I am reminded of my first time visiting Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, when I was having a drink with Jim Meehan at the Hotel Monteleone bar. At least five different people approached him in the first twenty minutes of our drink to ask if it was really him, and if so, they wanted to let him know how important his PDT cocktail book was to them, how it enabled them to create their own programs in other parts of America, where craft cocktails, quality ingredients, and thoughtful, influential approaches to our work environment did not yet exist. It was clear to me that the world of bars and bartending was changing right there before my eyes, and it led me to writing this book as a celebration of how big a country we are and how varied our styles and nuances play across the bar stage. Every night is a performance. Some of us are players. Some are proficient technicians. Some buy a ticket and take the ride. But we are all connected by the unifying, indispensable, limitless wealth of camaraderie. Nothing beats meeting a good friend for a drink and a healthy conversation in a warmly-lit public house.

Writing this book was one of the most challenging mountains I ever dared to climb, but it was worth every step of the process. I got to see parts of America I had never visited before, visited legendary bars and bucket list destinations I had only heard in celebrated passing, and met some wonderful new friends who I hope to stay in touch with forever. There are many great people doing wonderful things throughout the country. As Ma Bartels would say, “Where do they all come from?!”

Growing up, I was most inspired when I could open a book and discover a new world, story, or characters waiting for me inside. I hope this book achieves a little bit of that sentiment. I’m grateful for the opportunity to write about what inspires me, and will always chase that horse no matter how fast or far it goes. Where are we headed for the future of cocktails? That road is not unlike the ending of Back to the Future. “Where we are going,” says Doc Brown, “We don’t need roads.” And Doc and Marty get into the Delorean and take off into the sky, right? Well, maybe we all don’t need roads in some of the places we are going. But we certainly need ice.

It is an honor and privilege to know everyone included in this book, and this profession.

I wish you all the good fortune of finding something you love, and letting it take roots.