Behind the Bar with Alex Kratena: Designing Drinks That Tell a Story

In this live episode, Shawn Soole welcomes acclaimed bartender, author, and cocktail innovator Alex Kratena, co-founder of the prestigious P(our) festival and creator of truly boundary-pushing drink experiences. Get ready for an insightful dive into flavor design, creative inspiration, and the future of hospitality.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• Alex’s journey—from early cocktail experiments to global influence

• The philosophy behind P(our) and crafting immersive flavor stories

• How collaboration and curiosity fuel innovation in bars

• Techniques for designing multi-sensory drink experiences

• Honest insights during our live Q&A: career navigation, sustainability, and experimentation

📌 Timestamp Highlights:

• 00:02:30 – Alex’s introduction & cocktail origins

• 00:15:00 – Birth of P(our) and its creative mission

• 00:28:45 – Signature projects and pushing boundaries

• 00:42:15 – Audience Q&A: tools, trends, and creative muscle

• 01:00:00+ – What’s next: upcoming events, ideas, and collaborations

🎯 Who It’s For:
Bartenders, bar programmers, flavor enthusiasts, and anyone keen on the art of thoughtful, intentional drink-making—this episode is your guide to unlocking creativity and building compelling experiences.

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