Anthony Aguilera is the Owner of The Dapper Spout mobile hospitality company as well as a Food & Beverage Supervisor with Marriott Bonvoy.
My journey began in a small Italian restaurant in Glendale, AZ, with a cocktail menu that was too “safe”. Using fresh ingredients from the kitchen, I decided that “safe” wasn’t going to be what guests should experience when they visited.
The madness started with the “Cucumber Cooler”, which infused fresh cilantro, jalapeño and cucumber with vodka. It was a hit with the guests and from that point on, I kept pushing the envelope, incorporating new and intriguing ingredients into my cocktails.
My personal style as a bartender is built on equal parts craftsmanship and personal connection. I take pride in creating cocktails that are as thoughtful as they are flavorful. Paying attention to every detail – like the quality of ingredients in the final presentation to the guest.
The drink is only the beginning, though. The real experience happens through the energy behind the bar and the conversations and moments shared with every guest.
I love learning what people enjoy, introducing them to something new, and creating an atmosphere where they feel welcome, valued, and genuinely cared for. If a guest walks away remembering both the cocktail in their hand and the experience they had while enjoying it, then I’ve done exactly what I set out to do.
A close friend once wrote in his final letter to his loved ones that a smile could have saved him. His words ignited a passion in me to create an environment where every guest is seen, valued, and heard. Every conversation matters, every story has meaning, and every smile is an opportunity to make someone’s day a little brighter. My gift to them is a safe space for their stories, and their gift to me is their smiles.
My inspiration for new cocktails is usually sparked by music or a certain craving. Music evokes emotion and mental curiosity, which then gets my cogs moving to create a cocktail that properly expresses and represents those feelings. Craving a specific ingredient, flavor or texture also sends me to the drawing board to come up with unique and interesting combinations.
I enjoy using the Fee Brothers Browned Butter Fat Wash when working on new recipes. It adds a new level of complexity to a cocktail for first-timers and the curious crowd. In order to enhance the craft cocktails made in this industry, Fee Brothers’ line of bitters have also become a staple in any bar, specifically the Black Walnut, Aztec Chocolate, Cherry, and Cardamom Bitters.
Be curious and ask questions. You only learn what you want to know, and to be great in this industry, learning from those who have come before is a must.
My signature cocktail over the years has become an Old Fashioned. Each Old Fashioned crafted behind the bar comes with a story and a special treat. By utilizing fresh ingredients, unique homemade syrups and products like fat washes or bitters, I am able to create a new “WOW” for guests, which I feel makes my cocktail stand apart from others.
The Kentucky Foster: Special This cocktail borrows profiles from Mexican, American and French flavor staples to create the perfect balance.
Wet shake with a single large cube for 15 seconds and double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish and serve.
Learn more about Anthony on Instagram at @thedapperspout.
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