Drinking Like Ladies

About the Author

Misty Kalkofen first stepped behind the bar while studying theology at Harvard Divinity School and soon realized what most excited her about the Bible was the passage where Jesus turns water into wine. She has been featured in Bon Appetit, Imbibe, Food & Wine Cocktail editions, Wine Enthusiast, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Tasting Panel, Wine & Spirits, and more. Kalkofen has spent the past fifteen years honing her craft and her palate and has earned a reputation as one of Americas foremost authorities on cocktail history and culture. In addition to tending bar at Brick & Mortar since 2011, she actively consults on new and exciting projects with AKA Wine Geek. She is a graduate of the rigourous BAR program and continues to minister to cocktail communities nation-wide through active involvement in the BARSmarts regional programming. Cultivating a spirit of camaraderie among cocktail lovers (while showing everyone a really good time in the process) is Misty's mission across the many communities she touches. In 2007, Kalkofen founded the Boston chapter of Ladies United for the Preservation of the Endangered Cocktail, fulfilling her desire to "cocktail for a cause." Rooted in the belief that everyone loves a good drink, people like to do good things, and broads can accomplish anything, the ladies of LUPEC have raised over $40,000 for local Boston women's charities by throwing the best parties in town. LUPEC proudly supports Jane Doe Inc, the Friends Boutique at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the women's wing of the Boston Shelter for Homeless Veterans and On the Rise. In 2008, Kalkofen joined the staff of Drink, Barbara Lynch's higha?`concept cocktail bar. Under the tutelage of Lynch, John Gertsen and the BLGruppo, Kalkofen developed a deeper appreciation for the role of that intangible but indispensable component of a great restaurant experience: hospitality. Kalkofen applies the many lessons, tips, tricks, and techniques she has learned in over 15 years behind the stick to create a neighbourhood bar that offers balanced cocktails, cold beer and friendly service.Kirsten Amann has over fifteen years of experience in the beverage industry as a brand ambassador, publicist, bartender, and writer. She is the Boston based Brand Ambassador for Intrepid Spirits; Egan's Irish Whiskey and Mad March Hare Poitin. She is also the local Brand Ambassador for Perfect Puree of Napa Valley. Kitty partners with Jonathan Pogash of The Cocktail Guru as his Marketing and Business Development Guru, representing brands and presenting cocktail events nationwide. Kitty spent four years as Boston's first Brand Ambassador for Ferneta Branca and her past clients include Plymouth, Beefeater, Bols Genever, The Bitter Truth, No. 3 Gin, and more. Kitty works with clients to champion their brands, develop dynamic events, create delicious cocktails, and find a little healthy balance while doing it. Kitty is a founding member of the Boston chapters of Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails (LUPEC Boston) and the United States Bartenders Guild. She writes a monthly cocktail column for the MA Beverage Business under the byline "Pink Lady" and her cocktail writing has appeared in Daily Candy, The Weekly Dig, and Chilled Magazine among others.