One missing tool. One messy stencil. One forgotten pinch of salt. On a cocktail competition show, that’s all it takes for a confident bartender to spiral or to prove they’re the real deal. We sit down with Cocktail Wars judge and beverage consultant Melissa Brooke to talk about what the cameras capture when bartenders are under pressure and why the best moments are often the ones you can’t script.
Melissa shares how she went from entertainment production into hospitality, working her way through dive bars, sports bars, gastro pubs, and fine dining before building a consulting career. That mix of production knowledge and bar experience gives her a rare view of what it takes to judge fairly while staying out of a contestant’s way, and why the show resonates with working bartenders who know what “in the weeds” really means.
We also dig into Melissa’s niche: intentional cocktail creation through spirituality and astroherbalism, where botanicals, elements, and energy inform drink design without sacrificing flavor balance. From there we pivot to non-alcoholic cocktails, why she prefers the term “free spirited,” and how smart menu design avoids sidelining guests who aren’t drinking. You’ll also hear practical ideas like cocktail shrubs, plus book recommendations for anyone leveling up their mixology skills.
If you enjoy bartending, mixology, cocktail culture, or hospitality storytelling, hit subscribe, share this with a bar friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.
Make sure to follow us on Instagram.com/barninja and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Also be sure to stop by the store at barninja.com to purchase a J Plate bottle opener to help keep the show on the air! Thanks for tuning in! Mike, Bill & Kayla
Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör
BarNinja. Innehållet i podden är skapat av BarNinja och inte av,
eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.
