Known for infusing tropical flavors into his classic handcrafted cocktails, mixologist Gaston Gonzalez keeps creativity flowing and guest’s drinks full nightly at Miami’s Area 31 Restaurant.
What is your favorite bar tool right now?
My favorite bar tool right now is the fruit peeler that helps me create the fruit peel garnishes for the drinks.
Who is your bartending mentor?Elad Zvi from Bar Lab
Who would you like to sit and enjoy a martini with?James Bond
What is your hangover cure? Beer with tobacco or bitters.
If you could work with on Spirit, what would it be? Tequila. It has grown up so much in the past 5 years. The distillers now play with the agave before, during, and after it is made to make the drinks more complex.
What was your first job? I was a golf instructor for a children’s summer camp.
Do you have any hidden talents? I play golf.
Do you have any phobias?Spiders
What’s the one cocktail you think gets a bad rap? Margaritas because everyone seems to have one bad experience with cheap tequila.
What’s the most underrated spirit? Rum because you don’t need to spend $200 to get a really good bottle of rum, you can purchase a great bottle for less than $50.
What do you think the next up-and-coming cocktail is going to be? Mojitio
What necessary spirits and mixers would you recommend for the home cocktail enthusiast? Bitters. Everyone seems to focus on the spirits that are in the cocktail but they forget about the other elements in them.
