Chilled Magazine - Volume 14 Issue 4

Page 28

ADVANCED THE LOCALSMIXOLOGY BARTENDER DRINK SUBMISSION IN HISTORY

Julia Melucci

Sea-Guini, Clearwater Beach Photos courtesy of Opal Sands Resort Julia Melucci tends bar at Sea-Guini in the Opal Sands Resort, Clearwater Beach, Florida. At first, working behind the stick allowed her to stay home during the day and raise her three children while her husband was at work. What began from a scheduling convenience for Julia became more of a creative outlet as her children grew older. What makes Sea-Guini unique is that it’s one of the few places on the beach that offers craft cocktails. The bar’s vibe is contemporary and upscale. “I always tell people that I have the best job on the island. The setup has the guests facing me while I’m facing the Gulf of Mexico for the sunset every day, which is the same view as all of the tiki bars in town.” And what makes this place special to her is that it’s the exact location as the first bar she started behind—Adam’s Mark—over 25 years ago. Talk about full circle. There are no shortcuts in Melucci’s book. When it comes to creating cocktails, she believes shortcuts will often get a drink sent back. And for making Mojitos, cutting corners like using lime cordial instead of fresh lime juice can be fatal for the drink. “Don’t skimp the shake! If you make a Mojito and it’s completely clear when it hits the table, you did it wrong.” While everyone is becoming a mixologist at home, Julia has some encouraging advice for novice bartenders. “Every drink does not need to taste like straight alcohol. Making cocktails is like baking or cooking. Flavors can be blended, and ingredients can be tweaked. Find something you like and get creative with it.” The opportunity to get creative and those beautiful sunsets keep Julia in the business of bartending.

26

CHILLED MAGAZINE

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE INGREDIENTS

2 ½ oz. vanilla vodka 1 oz. fresh lime juice 1 oz. simple syrup 2 strawberries PREPARATION

Rim glass with honey and Graham cracker crumbs. Muddle 1 strawberry with simple and lime juice. Add vodka. Shake vigorously and strain into prepared Martini glass. Garnish with remaining berry.


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Articles inside

Wine Know How - Bartender’s Guide to Prosecco Rosé DOC

3min
pages 94-97

Tricks of the Trade - with Mariena Mercer Boarini

2min
pages 92-93

Food Know How - Shishito Pepper

1min
pages 90-91

Drink In History - The Martini

2min
pages 88-89

Secrets to Properly Serving Wine

2min
pages 84-86

Cool Products - Wine Tools for Bartenders

1min
page 87

Serving Sake With Gekkeian

2min
pages 82-83

Selling Spanish Wine Confidently with Ramón Bilbao

2min
pages 78-79

Tips for Selling Wine Like an Expert

1min
pages 76-77

Creating Experiences with J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

2min
pages 74-75

Create A Wine List in 6 Easy Steps

2min
pages 72-73

A True Expression of Riojo with Campo Viejo

3min
pages 66-69

Tips for Suggesting Wine

4min
pages 64-65

Wine Cheat Sheet For Bartenders

1min
pages 62-63

Wine Questions Every Bartender Should Be Able To Answer

1min
pages 60-61

What a Wine and Spirits Distributor Can Do for Bartenders

1min
pages 56-57

Suggesting, Selling, and Serving

2min
pages 54-55

Celebrity Sips - Pop Stars

2min
pages 50-53

Competition - Sagamore Spirit Cocktail Showdown

3min
pages 46-49

5 Things with Bar Manager Ariana Vitale

1min
pages 44-45

Ask a Bartender - How to Open Your Dream Bar

5min
pages 40-43

Brand Profile - Supporting the Industry, Constellation Brands

3min
pages 34-35

Portfolio Profile - Maraska

2min
pages 36-37

Brand Profile - Frankly Organic Vodka

3min
pages 38-39

Brand Ambassador - Gabriel Cardarella, Dewar’s

1min
pages 32-33

Bartender Submission - Ohio Crawford, Backyard on Broadway, Texas

2min
pages 30-31

Bartender Submission - Julia Melucci, Sea-Guini, Florida

1min
pages 28-29

Anatomy of the Bottle - Gracias a Dios

1min
pages 20-21

A Message from Jesse Cyr

2min
pages 12-13

In The Know - Chilled 100 Spirits Awards

1min
pages 26-27

Cool Cans - CAN You Dig It?

1min
pages 18-19

Wine Labels - From Grape to Glass

1min
pages 22-23

How to Make Zero Waste Cocktail Syrups

3min
pages 16-17

Behind the Yuzu Bar

1min
pages 24-25

Cool Bottles - Your Best Shot

0
pages 14-15
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