How did your journey behind the bar begin?

I was let go at Urban Outfitters, got my bartending license the same day, and went into my favorite bar and got a job. It was a bar with live music called Vegetable Buddies in South Bend, IN. I was 21.

What’s one drink that tells your story — and why?

I think a lot of drinks I create tell bits and pieces of me. As an artist, as a person with a background in Eastern Medicine; I use a lot of medicinal plants, herbs, tinctures, and witchy ingredients that tell of where I came from and where I am, and maybe where I’m going.

Where do you find inspiration when creating new cocktails and mocktails?

Okay so, a lot of the time they come to me in dreams. I’m not joking, ha, I’ll wake up in the middle of the night and start jotting down ideas. Then I use the Vegetarian Flavor Bible to hone in on seasonal ingredients.

Is there an ingredient you can’t live without — or one you love experimenting with?

Lately it has been mugwort. But really, I can’t live without the use of plants and herbs.

What’s a cocktail trend you love — and one you could do without?

I love the NA cocktail trend that’s really beginning to spread. As a person and bartender that no longer drinks, it’s been a rewarding process to be a part of and to experience. Maybe one I could live without… the trend of internet-made-famous drinks that look cool, but when you try them out, are unbalanced and gross.

Who has influenced your craft the most — inside or outside the bar world?

The people I’ve worked for behind the bar at my first gig, the chef I used to work with when I got my first bar management gig, and the beverage professionals I work under now. They’ve all inspired me to work hard and to express myself and to really lean into the craft. I love them all for it.

What’s your proudest moment so far as a bartender?

I have a lot of proud moments, I think the first one that I’m reminded of now was getting a spotlight in a magazine showcasing my work, and getting recognition for my creations.

You are an artist behind the bar, but you’re an emerging artist otherwise, too. What all do you create, and how did you get started?

I create a lot of very abstract paintings and sketches and I love to mess around making jewelry. I got started with finger painting and Rorschach-inspired creations, then went to art school when I was 16, and haven’t stopped the practice since.

What advice would you give to someone just starting in the cocktail world?

Minimalism in crafting a cocktail is key. If you really want to do this, get ready to get your ass kicked. Lastly, hospitality should feel like coming home, remember that when you interact with people, they’re there for an experience only you can offer.

And finally, what does being a “Bar Hero” mean to you?

Well, this is the first introduction I’ve had to the term and to the opportunity to be one. I feel like I’ve finally grown into someone who wants to be of service, not simply show up. Maybe it’s a superpower.