Tony Abou-Ganim Shares How to Craft Great Cocktails at Home

Tony Abou-Ganim is an award-winning, well-beloved beverage hospitality professional. Tony is and a mentor to many, myself included including me. In our recent chat, Hhe shareds what inspired his books, “The Modern Mixologist: Contemporary Classic Cocktails” and “Vodka Distilled: The Modern Mixologist on Vodka and Vodka Cocktails, and as well as his hopes for his legacy.

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With “Modern Mixologist,” I wanted to break down some of the myths surrounding mixology and show consumers how easy it can be to craft great cocktails at home. It was intended to be a fun, insightful journey into the world of mixology, touching on what it takes to make a great drink, from the tools of the trade to the importance of ice, glassware, premium spirits, and fresh, seasonal ingredients with a little history and lore thrown in for fun!

In writing “Vodka Distilled,” we hoped not only to expand the reader’s knowledge and understanding of the vodka category, but also to increase their enjoyment for the country’s number-one-consumed spirit. Vodka, once labeled as a tasteless, colorless, odorless spirit, is anything but that once you learn to discover and appreciate the subtle differences that make each brand unique.

My favorite way to serve, enjoy, and experience vodka is straight from the freezer in a frozen glass made by TAG. Serving vodka this way lets you appreciate the subtle nuances of the vodka and better understand how they express themselves as the vodka’s temperature slowly changes. Not just the texture of the spirit, but the aromas and flavors will develop and become enhanced. I also love to serve frozen vodka with a tin of caviar!

It's a whole lot easier to mix cocktails when you have proper, high-quality bar tools and learn how to use them.

Invest in good glassware. Your drinks will just taste better in a proper glass.

There's no substitute for fresh ingredients.

You only get out of a drink what you put into it, so choose quality above all else.

Keep it simple.

Preparation — do the prep work beforehand so you can enjoy spending time with your guests.

Moderation — remember that enjoying a great cocktail is about the journey, not the destination.

My cousin, Helen, who owned and ran a bar for nearly 70 years, would always tell me, “leave the bar a little better than you found it.” I guess that would be my hope that in some small way I have left the bartending profession just a little bit better than I found it!

In the presence of a well-made cocktail, taut nerves relax, taut muscles relax, eyes brighten, friendships deepen, and the whole world becomes a better place!

Tony Abou-Ganim is widely regarded as one of the leading bar professionals in the world. He has made dozens of national TV appearances, including on CNBC and Fox News and on shows such as “Today,” “Iron Chef America,” and “Good Morning America.” Abou-Ganim is the author of “The Modern Mixologist: Contemporary Classic Cocktails” which offers readers an in-depth look into spirits and ingredients available to today’s mixologist, both professional and amateur alike. This entertaining and informative journey takes readers from the early stages of the cocktail to what Abou-Ganim deems “modern mixology.”

Abou-Ganim also has a DVD to his credit, “Modern Mixology: Making Great Cocktails at Home,” and he hosted the Fine Living Network program “Raising the Bar: America’s Best Bar Chefs.” Abou-Ganim has also won three “Iron Chef America” competitions, pairing cocktails with Iron Chef Mario Batali, Iron Chef Jose Garces, and most recently, Chef Sean McClain. His signature branded line of bar tools, Modern Mixologist, and his second book, “Vodka Distilled” (Agate, 2013), are available at www.modernmixologist.com.

Purchase “The Modern Mixologist” 

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Tony supports charitable work and is passionate about helping others. You can lend your support to one of Tony's causes through USBG National Charity Foundation.

Southern Glazer’s "Served Up" podcast has been elevating voices in the beverage alcohol industry since 2020. Now, with Eric Hemer, MW, MS, joining Bridget Albert as co-host, expect thought leadership, industry insights, exclusive interviews, and inspiring conversations that drive innovation. Join us weekly as co-hosts Bridget and Eric stir up the spirit of hospitality with lively conversations and plenty of personality.

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