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Dale DeGroff          

James Beard Award-Winning Mixologist Credited With the Revival of the Cocktail; Author of "The Craft of the Cocktail"

Dale DeGroff, an American bartender and author, is renowned for reviving the great classic cocktails of the nineteenth century with simple, fresh ingredients. From 1987 to 1999, he held the position of chief bartender at the Rainbow Room, a prestigious venue at Rockefeller Center in New York City. He brought much-needed innovation to the bartending profession and sparked a cocktail revival that continues to this day.

A recipient of the 2009 Wine & Spirits Professional Award from the James Beard Foundation, DeGroff also boasts two other James Beard Awards, a Tales of the Cocktail Lifetime Achievement Award and the Wine Enthusiast 2018 Cocktail Legend Award. He is the founding president of the Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans, an organization dedicated to preserving and advancing the rich history of cocktails in the United States.

DeGroff is not only a leading trainer and highly sought-after authority in the beverage industry but also a founding partner and consultant for the Beverage Alcohol Resource (BAR) group, an award-winning collective of bartending professionals. He has penned two best-selling cocktail books, "The Craft of the Cocktail" and "The Essential Cocktail." "The Craft of the Cocktail," published in 2002, has become a cornerstone, widely considered an essential bartending reference. In 2020, DeGroff updated this influential work with "The New Craft of the Cocktail: Everything You Need to Know to Think Like a Master Mixologist," encapsulating his 40 years of expertise and creativity in the art of mixology.

Speech Topics


I'll Take Manhattan

A tasting of five aromatic bitters (as opposed to single flavor bitters) first on their own, then each paired with 1 oz of a Rye (or bourbon if the client prefers) Manhattan. During the session we speak about the bitters, their history and ingredients, and the proliferation of commercial brands in the new Millennium. Optional, after the tasting a cocktail party with snacks featuriong a Manhattan are served with a choice of each individuals favorite bitters.

The Godfathers of Tiki

An introduction to Don the Beachcomber, aka Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt and Trader Vic aka Victor Bergeron. We taste through drinks from these two influential, post-Prohibition geniuses who made millions happy with their fantasy tropical oasis in cities around the country and eventually around the world.

The Evolution of the Martini

A journey beginning in 1888, with the first Martini recipe in print through the new millennium, documenting the changing recipes. Tastes from each era are offered through the session.

On the Town

A history of the cocktail through stories, songs and five drinks.

News


Try the Reverse Manhattan By Dale DeGroff Bartenders At Home
Watch legendary bartender Dale DeGroff mix up this spin on the classic Manhattan cocktail.
Communal Table Podcast: Dale DeGroff and Julie Reiner | Food ...
The veteran bartenders talk about what it takes to stick around for the long haul.
Meet Dale DeGroff, the Father of the Rebirth of the Cocktail The Life ...
This episode of the podcast Life Behind Bars features the influential bartender Dale DeGroff, who just published the second edition of his book, 'The Craft of the  ...

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