Aug. 15, 2025

Jeffrey Morgenthaler on Giving Away the Playbook and Staying in Love with Bartending

Jeffrey Morgenthaler on Giving Away the Playbook and Staying in Love with Bartending

In this live episode, Shawn Soole sits down with renowned bartender, writer, and innovator Jeffrey Morgenthaler for a candid conversation covering everything from creative process and mental health to cocktail culture and sustainability.

  • Jeffrey’s approach to R&D: learning from failures and practical experimentation

  • The balance between honoring classic drinks and creating original cocktails

  • How to batch serve without losing quality, and tips on mint syrup preservation

  • The importance of "fun" in bars—even Long Island Iced Teas deserve respect

  • How to navigate pricing, the non-alcoholic cocktail scene, and avoid burnout mpvieira.github.io+3podcasters.spotify.com+3youtube.com+3youtube.comflavorsunknown.com

  • 00:00:50 – The journey of sharing knowledge through writing and how it informs practice

  • 00:06:48 – Learning from mistakes and refining cocktail craft

  • 00:12:37 – The design process: tasting, memory, and development

  • 00:21:39 – Mentorship, evolving bartender culture, and leadership

  • 00:29:39 – Industry trends: non-alcoholic cocktails, pricing, and innovation

  • 00:35:42 – Cocktail prep hacks: batching, mint syrup fixes, and more

  • 00:48:32 – Resilience, creativity, and why bars need a sense of fun

Bartenders, bar managers, writers, hospitality leaders, or anyone seeking thoughtful insights on craftsmanship, balance, and keeping your spark alive behind the stick.

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  • Drop your favourite Jeffrey tip or quote in the comments

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