Since the beginning of 2024, I’ve had the privilege of visiting over 60 cocktail bars across different cities and countries. It’s been an incredible journey—a whirlwind of flavors, creativity, and hospitality that’s expanded my appreciation for the craft and the community behind it. Each visit revealed something unique, whether it was the artistry of a bartender, the innovation behind a drink, or the ambiance that brought it all together. But this journey hasn’t just been about enjoyment; it’s also raised deep questions about the future of our industry. As I’ve seen different approaches to cocktail culture, from traditional to avant-garde, I’ve started to wonder: Where is the line between craftsmanship and accessibility? How do we maintain the human essence of bars as welcoming spaces in an industry that’s evolving so quickly? These experiences have both inspired me and sparked reflection on where we’re headed and how we can navigate the delicate balance between innovation and the core values of hospitality. While the artistry of craft cocktails has undeniably elevated the bar experience, it also raises a philosophical dilemma: Can the pursuit of perfection, precision, and exclusivity in the craft paradoxically distance the very souls it seeks to captivate? In striving for mastery through rare ingredients and intricate techniques, there emerges a tension between the elevated, almost esoteric nature of the craft and the essential purpose of the bar as a space of human connection, warmth, and inclusion. This philosophy grapples with the inherent conflict between cocktail creation as an expression of high art and the bar’s deeper role as a communal, egalitarian gathering place. The bar is, at its core, a sanctuary where people come not just to drink, but to belong. The challenge, then, is how to preserve the alchemy of the craft—the creativity, the beauty, the reverence for detail—without alienating those who seek simplicity, comfort, and unpretentious engagement. Does the relentless pursuit of the perfect cocktail elevate the human experience, or does it create a barrier between those who understand and those who simply wish to enjoy? Can the essence of hospitality—warmth, generosity, and shared experience—coexist with the rarified air of cocktail artistry, or does one inevitably overshadow the other?
Cynthia Valverde’s Post
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