The Cocktail Academy

Preston Lee has helped scale some of the busiest and most beloved hospitality businesses across the UK and beyond — but his story started like many others: behind the bar, with no clue what he was doing.

In this episode, Preston breaks down how he turned personal failure into the foundation for The 30% Rule — a training and operations system that’s helped restaurants and bars go from chaos to consistency.

We talk about what most venu...

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...

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 a...

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 th...

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, ...

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 b...

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,...

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 c...

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), an...

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 s...

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,...

This week on The Cocktail Academy Podcast, host Damian Cole takes us on a sun-soaked journey through the sparkling history and modern-day popularity of the Spritz — with a spotlight on the iconic Aperol Spritz. Fresh off a trip to Lanzarote, Damian reflects on how this low-ABV classic became a go-to drink for sunny afternoons and stylish sipping.

🧡 In this episode, we cover:

• The 19th-century Austro-Hungarian origins of the s...

In this episode of The Cocktail Academy, host Damian sits down with Laura Bonner, founder of The Muff Liquor Company, for a deep dive into how a Donegal girl with a bold dream turned her family roots (and potatoes!) into a premium international spirits brand.

Laura shares the very real ups and downs of building a business—from an idea sparked by her grandfather’s poitin to launching a spirits range that's now taking the U.S. by stor...

This week on the Cocktail Academy Podcast, Damian is joined by none other than Jillian Vose — bartender, creator, and the brains behind Outwalker Irish Whiskey. From scooping ice cream in Cape Cod to shaking cocktails in New York’s most iconic bars, Jillian shares the journey that led her from high-volume service to high-level spirits innovation.

They dive into her early hospitality days in Arizona, her time at legendary venues like...

This week, Damian sits down with Freddie Andreasson, founder of El Gallo Altanero, one of Mexico’s most talked-about agave-focused cocktail bars. From a small town in Sweden to the heart of Guadalajara, Freddie’s journey is anything but typical — and his passion for independent agave spirits is infectious.

In this wide-ranging and honest conversation, we dive into:

🔹 Freddie’s early days in hospitality — from dive bars in Austra...

In this week's episode of The Cocktail Academy Podcast, we're diving into the world of cocktail garnishes — from essential citrus twists to outrageous tiki showstoppers! Whether you’re a home bartender or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with tips to elevate your drink presentation and flavor.

What You'll Learn:

🍋 The Basics of Cocktail Garnishes: Why they matter and how they enhance flavor, aroma, and presentation.

🌿 Esse...

In this episode of The Cocktail Academy Podcast, we’re breaking down one of the most fundamental questions in mixology: When should you shake, and when should you stir? Whether you're making a classic Martini, a refreshing Daiquiri, or a velvety Manhattan, getting this technique right can make or break your cocktail.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The science behind shaking and stirring – why they matter

✅ When to shake...

In this episode of The Cocktail Academy Podcast, we're taking a deep dive into one of the most essential yet often overlooked ingredients in cocktails – bitters. From the history of bitters to their role in cocktails today, we explore everything you need to know to master the art of balancing flavors in your drinks.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

🍸 The History of Bitters:

• How bitters started as medicinal tonics u...

In this episode, we’re diving deep into one of the most iconic cocktails of all time – The Margarita. From its mysterious origins to its pop culture rise, we’re tracing the evolution of this tequila classic. We also break down the classic vs. modern variations, explore the spicy margarita phenomenon, and uncover the secret tips that take a margarita from good to unforgettable.

Whether you're a Tommy’s Margarita purist or love a mezc...