What 10 of Charlotte’s top mixologists drink when they’re not behind the bar
I just returned home from two weeks of work-related beer-writing travels, where I visited upwards of four breweries a day. To say that my palate was fatigued is an understatement. I couldn’t fathom another sip of hops. Thus, I found myself keeping it classy with my go-to adult beverage when I’m not covering beer as a beer writer – a glass (or three) of Black Box Malbec.
I realize admitting that I drink boxed wine may make me lose all taproom cred in the beer-goggled eyes of the craft beer community, but I often find myself needing something that I don’t default to analyzing – which is what I do with whatever beer is in my hand. Yes, beer has become work.
Which led me to think – just like my shift beer led me to wonder what brewers drink after work – what do Charlotte’s top mixologists drink when they’re not behind the bar shaking, stirring, and infusing the city’s growing cocktail scene. It’s work that looks fun, but also quite tiring.
Is this what they would drink at home? Or do they kick back with something on the simpler side, like a luscious glass of boxed wine? So, I asked them.
Soul Gastrolounge – Kel Minton
“Tequila on the rocks, mostly. If I’m feeling saucy, a tequila negroni with Crude ‘Big Bear’ bitters. For the tequila on the rocks, it’s simple, clean, and delicious. Tequila can be so different based on the region. For the cocktail, I love bittersweet, dark chocolate, and it’s the easiest way to have it in a glass.”
[Related: Check out the amazing home bars of 3 couples transforming Charlotte’s drink scene]
The Imperial – Bretlee Blair
“When I’m not working, I imbibe mainly with Arizona Green Tea. As for my alcoholic preference, it would have to be Angel’s Envy Rye Whiskey and Dr. Pepper. When you spend so much time focusing on various fresh and unique ingredients to create innovative cocktails for your customers, it’s nice to sit back and make something simple yet satisfying.”
Haberdish – Colleen Hughes
“Typically, when I’m drinking off duty my drink choices are relatively simple. I love a good gin cocktail. A well-made gimlet or a gin and soda are my go to liquor drinks of choice. Also, not a gin, but I’ve always loved a nip of Sambuca after dinner. For beer, my go-to local choices are OMB’s Capt Jack Pilsner and Bird Song’s Jalapeño Pale Ale. But don’t be surprised if you see me with a can of PBR with a lime in it. At home, I mostly drink wine. An amazing glass of wine can be transient. California chardonnay, French rosé, and Spanish Rioja are a few of my favorites.”
The Cotton Room – Matt Marenna
“Generally, I always fall back to bourbon and easy drinking beers like hefeweizens, Belgians, and lagers. Unless I’m visiting friends working at other spots around town – in which case I’ll drink anything they put in front of me to try. I don’t usually make or order cocktails, preferring a wheated bourbon on the rocks, sometimes with a splash of ginger. My go-to bottles are Basil Hayden’s or Weller 107, but a sneaky good seven-year whiskey is Bernheim that I have on hand as well. These whiskies have a mellow and soft mouthfeel while still being robust and full of flavor that make for great sipping.”
Dogwood Southern Table & Bar – Brian Lorusso
“I get asked this a lot at Dogwood. I’m not a one-trick pony. I definitely drink to my mood. If I’m coming home from work, it’s usually something cold. A cold beer in the shower or glass packed full of ice and just a spirit by itself like vodka, gin, rum, or bourbon. I also love trying things I’ve never tasted before. I’m a sucker for buying a bottle at Southern Spirits, especially something I may have only read about – something completely new to me. If it’s a Sunday night off with my wife, it’s usually simple cocktails and a bottle of wine. We drink everything – red, white, rosé, bubbles.”
Stoke – Samuel Rouson
“I usually drink rum. I’m a fan of all types and enjoy the fact that there’s different grades from light to golden to dark. I love the warmth that it brings and that the majority of rum is made in the Caribbean Islands.”
The Punch Room – Bob Peters
When I’m off work, what I chose to drink depends on where I’m at that moment. I’m actually super easy to please. When I’m at my house in Plaza Midwood, I very rarely have a drink except for the occasional beer. I keep Lenny Boy in my fridge at all times for those occasions – Life in the South Lager and Dat American Pale Ale are my go-to beers. I don’t get out on the town that often these days, but if I’m lucky enough to find myself at one of my favorite cocktail spots (Soul, Dogwood Southern Table, Dot Dot Dot, or Haberdish, to name a few), I ask the bartender to make me whatever they are excited about at the moment. I like all spirits in cocktails, so, again, I’m super easy to please. Finally, the situation that I find myself in most often, is grabbing a quick drink after I get off work at The Punch Room. I love going to Connolly’s for a pint of Harp and a shot of Jameson or to Smokey Joe’s for a PBR and a nice shot of Cazadores Tequila. You can’t get much easier than that.”
Duckworth’s Kitchen & Taphouse – Ron Oleksa
“My most common drink of choice is whiskey and a beer, usually a barrel-aged stout or sour. There are so many whiskeys out there, with differences between them all. Knowing these nuances can bridge the separation between a good cocktail and truly great one. Only by immersing myself in a couple fingers poured neat can I really glean the heart of the spirit and gain a familiarity needed to use it well. I really enjoy sipping from our own barrel of Elijah Craig; it’s the best whiskey in the house.”
Sophia’s Lounge – Patricia Smith
“My favorite cocktail is the Last Word. It’s a light, refreshing’ pre-Prohibition-era cocktail with just enough herbal quality to make it interesting. It’s also one of my favorite cocktails to modify. Replacing the gin with rye whiskey or the chartreuse with absinthe all work equally as well. In my opinion, it’s a good gauge of a bartender’s skill level. I know that if a bartender can make a perfectly executed Last Word that I’m in good hands.”
Dot Dot Dot – Stefan Huebner
“I drink to the bar I go to. If I’m at Thirsty Beaver, it’s Budweiser cans and shots of Jim Beam. If I pop into Soul, it’s usually a cocktail off their list. And when I go to Dogwood, it’s whatever Brian puts in front of me. Anywhere else, it’s a local IPA with a shot of Fernet-Branca.”
This story was originally published May 3, 2018 at 1:38 AM with the headline "What 10 of Charlotte’s top mixologists drink when they’re not behind the bar."