The Carbonation Episode: How Two Bartenders Bottled a Movement

The Carbonation Episode: How Two Bartenders Bottled a Movement

The Cocktail Academy · 2025-07-01
34:37

Damian is joined by Bart Miedeksza and Valentino Girotto, longtime collaborators, former bar owners, and co-authors of Bubbles: A Guide to Carbonated Cocktails. In this first half of the episode, they dive into the origins of their partnership, the evolution of Crossroads Bar into a consultancy, and the obsessive research process that led to their groundbreaking book. Expect tales of late-night DMs, deep dives into molecular flavor compounds, and why carbonation is more than just sparkle — it’s a science.


🧪 What You’ll LearnHow Bart & Val transitioned from running bars to full-time consultingWhy they wrote Bubbles — and how an Instagram post forced their handCollaborating with a Cambridge professor to decode carbonation chemistryHow they used flavor compound mapping to reverse-engineer cocktailsWhy consistency trumps complexity in modern bar programsTips for designing menus with both guests and GP in mind
🔗 Links & Resources

Crossroads Consultancy

🌐 www.crossroads.bar

📸 @crossroads.consultancy


The Book

📘 Bubbles: A Guide to Carbonated Cocktails — available via their website.

🔒 Bonus Content

To hear the exclusive Lock-In Session with Bart & Val — where we dive deeper into carbonation techniques, common pitfalls, and pro tips — head to thecocktailacademy.com.


🎧 Hosted by Damian Cole

📸 @welovecocktails

🌐 www.thecocktailacademy.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Cocktail Academy

Introducing "The Cocktail Academy" with your host Damian Cole, a seasoned veteran of the hospitality industry. Join Damian and his expert guests on a spirited journey through the world of cocktails, spirits, and all things booze-related.

Whether you're a home cocktail enthusiast or aspiring bartender, this podcast is your go-to source for practical tips and insider knowledge, served straight up with no nonsense. From mastering classic cocktail recipes to exploring the latest trends in mixology, "The Cocktail Academy" has everything you need to shake, stir, and sip like a pro. Tune in for candid conversations, industry insights, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • No. of episodes: 58
  • Latest episode: 2025-08-27
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