For those in the bar industry, this period away from human interaction has been markedly tough. Going from up to 14 hours per day in the company of others to complete isolation has been a shock to the system for many. It’s no surprise then, that a huge number are extolling their skills with shaker and bar spoon via the medium of social media. It has meant great things for the home mixologist, as nearly every bartender worth his or her Paloma salt has had a go at showing us how to mix drinks at home with varying success. Here are some of our favourite accounts to follow, learn from and appreciate
@Gardencocktails – USA
This account tells the story of Stacie, a New Yorker, and her ‘balcony cocktail garden’. Her drinks photography is as sophisticated as her skills with a shaker, as her pretty-as-a-picture cocktails show.
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@Lobsterbarhk – Hong Kong
If classic cocktails are your thing, Lobster Bar in Hong Kong offers an education into OG serves. Its Classic Cocktail of the Week feature tells the story behind the drink, with some excellent and detailed tasting notes along the way.
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@soyelcantinero – Buenos Aires
Seba García, the creative director at Presidente Bar in Argentina, has spent his time in lockdown introducing viewers to the most popular drinks at his bar, which sits at No.33 in The World’s 50 Best Bars list 2019. He’s not a bad dancer, either…
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@lyanessbar – London
Bar industry legend and the man behind The World’s Best Bar 2018, Ryan Chetiyawardana has taken to Instagram to give some of the best cocktail masterclasses ever delivered. Operating out of his new bar Lyaness, which landed at No.39 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019, his videos are worth devoting some time to. His booze-free Hot Toddy is a masterstroke.
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@Bittersandlove – Singapore
Check this out for a refreshing look at sustainability. The team ran out of glass bottles to sell their serves by mail-order, so looked to nature for receptacles. Its cocktails are now delivered in fruit husks such as pineapple and uglifruit and on the inside of bell peppers – arguably the eco-friendliest drinks service on the market today.
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@elcopitasbar – St Petersburg
A bar majoring in Mexican spirits operating out of Russia, El Copitas is making serious moves in the global scene. During lockdown, its social media has pivoted to screening regular Instagram Live short films, giving excellent tips to the home bartender, as well as topical discussions about the Russian bar scene.
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@cocktailmaestro – London
The Maestro, Salvatore Calabrese, requires little introduction. One of the greatest bartenders of all time and the inventor of some of the world’s most popular drinks has been shaking cocktails from home with typical style and panache. His drinks reference his menu at The Donovan Bar, which landed at No.87 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 list in its first year of trading.
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@barprints – Spain
A great resource for people looking to understand more about the core of bartending, Bar Prints majors firstly in beautiful cocktail photography, but follows it up with easy-to-understand recipes and explanations.
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@lesyndicatcocktailclub – Paris
In typical Gallic style, the drinks Le Syndicat produces are stunning, both in the glassware used and hues of the liquid. Attempt to recreate them at home with thorough instructions to make all of the house-infused components that go into the drinks.
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@artesianbarlondon – London
Four-time winner of The World’s Best Bar Award, Artesian is the last word in faultless hotel bars. During lockdown, its team are taking it in turns to introduce you to some of their favourite drinks. Anna Sebastian’s Disaronno Sour should be on your list for tonight.
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@Cheerstohappyhour – Toronto
A wonderfully detailed account of one man and his love for cocktails, with well-written captions and descriptions of how to make the highly stylised drinks he creates.
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@lamaisonwellness – London
Alcohol and mindfulness might not seem the most complementary bedfellows, but the women behind La Maison Wellness bridge the gap with perfection. Focussing on low- or no-alcohol serves, it shows off a series of excellent cocktails that look as good as they taste.
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@paradiso_barcelona - Barcelona
The enigmatic team behind Paradiso, No.20 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019, are letting you into the secrets behind their super-complex drinks list. Grab a pen, because these aren’t simple.
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@coupettelondon – London
Serving a fine line in calvados-based drinks, the team behind Coupette, No.23 in The World’s 50 Best Bars list 2019, are sharing beautiful drinks photography and detailing their partnerships with suppliers which will help you make their drinks at home.
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@cocktailsbymarcodongi – Sydney
Part travelogue, part cocktail guide, this bartender is sharing some of his beautiful photography, alongside clear-and-concise recipes to his favourite drinks.
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@designingdrunk – New York
Alex Miller, part-time designer, part-time bartender, is bringing his skillsets together for this page. The photography jumps off the screen, with some excellent explanation for the novice mixologist.
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Head to our coronavirus page for more content on how restaurants, bars and organisations are responding to the Covid-19 pandemic and stay tuned to our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter channels, where we are sharing initiatives from around the world.
