The Modern Bar Cart Podcast Episode 306 - The Bartender's Manifesto with Toby Maloney
Nov 17, 2025
Award-winning bartender Toby Maloney, known for his work at iconic venues like Milk & Honey and Pegu Club, delves into the art of cocktail creation. He discusses the balance between intention and inspiration, highlighting how creativity thrives on curated attention. In a live cocktail development session, Toby and Eric craft a unique fall cocktail using reposado tequila and pisco, blending flavors like pear and ginger. They explore the intriguing concept of anti-gravity cocktails and share heartfelt culinary memories, making for an engaging blend of science and art.
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Intention Before Inspiration
- Design cocktails by ordering intention then inspiration before technique.
- Balance comfort (heart) and curiosity (head) to make drinks both approachable and intriguing.
Harvest Inspiration From Daily Life
- Pay attention to everyday life and seasonality to harvest cocktail ideas.
- Use subtle observations like sunsets or novels as concrete creative fuel for drinks.
Slow Down Your Attention
- Slow down and vary your attention between relaxed observation and focused search.
- Notice the small sensory moments that make your brain 'fizzy' and translate them into flavors or textures.
