Aaron Melendrez’s path to changing into a mixologist was formed by his early experiences in hospitality and his ardour for exploring new flavors.
He labored his means up by means of varied roles within the restaurant business and developed a deep understanding of substances and flavors. Over time, he discovered himself working alongside bartenders, and that’s when he felt a calling to be behind the bar. “I believed I couldn’t solely match what was being performed but additionally deliver one thing distinctive to the craft that didn’t exist already.” This want to create one thing contemporary and modern drove him to pursue mixology and to develop his personal method to the craft.
Though Aaron is usually described as a “taste alchemist,” he prefers to name himself a “taste skilled,” notably in drinks. For him, mixology is a chance for self-expression.
“Most significantly, I make flavors for myself, issues I do know I’ll take pleasure in, hoping that by placing a little bit of myself on the market, individuals will join with it.”
Aaron creates drinks that replicate his private experiences and moments in his life. He compares the method to writing a tune or a poem, noting that mixology is, at its core, “about recreating recollections within the type of a beverage.”
Aaron’s Mexican-American heritage performs a big position in shaping his mixology model, particularly in his method to what he calls “Mexology.” Rising up in a lower-middle-class family, Aaron discovered to be resourceful and artistic with what was obtainable.
“That’s what being Mexican-American means to me—coming from a household that didn’t have all of the alternatives or privileges however embracing that migrant lifetime of working with what you might have.”
This sense of resourcefulness has straight influenced his skill to create distinctive, flavorful drinks utilizing easy, accessible substances.
Aaron’s collaboration with Hpnotiq is one other instance of how he brings his private contact to mixology. Hpnotiq has all the time been part of his ingesting historical past, however not within the context of mixology.
“Hpnotiq enhances what I do as a result of it’s related to so many recollections of ingesting it in several methods, however by no means within the type of mixology.”
The chance to make use of Hpnotiq in traditional cocktails has allowed him to experiment with its distinctive qualities and combine it into extra refined drinks.
One among Aaron’s most enjoyable combos includes mixing Hpnotiq with mezcal, a drink he associates with the daring, smoky flavors of Oaxaca, Mexico. When he drinks Hpnotiq, he instantly tastes notes of tropical fruits, which led him to pair it with mezcal, whose smoky taste enhances these notes. This mix displays his love for each substances and his want to create one thing enjoyable and refreshing that brings out one of the best in every.
For novice and at-home bartenders, Aaron’s recommendation is each easy and inspiring: “Have enjoyable and don’t be afraid to mess up. Drink all of your creations and study from them.” He believes that making errors is a necessary a part of the educational course of, and he encourages others to maintain refining their recipes and to not gatekeep.
“Hold making an attempt to good that recipe, and if you get it proper, share it with your folks.”
Trying to the longer term, Aaron is happy in regards to the rising pattern of creating high-end cocktails extra accessible to a broader viewers.
“What actually excites me are bars and restaurant ideas that may execute intellectual drinks however current them as approachable, social drinks.”
He envisions a future the place nice cocktails can be found in informal settings. “Consider it as democratizing the elevated ingesting expertise—having superb cocktails in an off-the-cuff day-drinking patio bar setting, somewhat than limiting nice drinks to upscale venues.”