A Cocktail Book Author Katie Stryjewski
This week we had a pleasant conversation with Katie. She is a cocktail blogger, photographer, former scientist, and author from Boston, MA.
She fell in love with cocktails while working on her Ph.D. in ornithology at Boston University. Katie started the Garnish blog back in 2015. There is a high possibility that you have seen her amazing cocktails on Instagram (@garnish_girl) and in her book “Cocktails, Mocktails and Garnishes from the Garden”.
How did a girl with Ph.D. in evolutionary biology end up with cocktail and mocktail recipes? What inspired you?
I think I was lacking a creative outlet during my last few years of graduate school, and creating my cocktail blog really satisfied that. I often used blogs to find recipes for food and drinks, and I thought that starting my own could be a good opportunity to learn more about cocktails and photography. I liked cocktails in particular because the recipes and ingredients have so much history.
In March you participated in boston.com Cocktail Club - Virtual Cocktail Series event as a special guest. Katie, could you tell us more about this event?
I was so honored to be asked to participate in this! The series is hosted by Jackson Cannon, the brilliant bartender behind Boston’s iconic Eastern Standard. He started doing it during Covid, and I would tune in weekly. So co-hosting was very exciting. We made two gin cocktails, the Bronx and the Bee’s Knees, and showed everyone tuning in how to mix along at home.
What people can expect to dive into and learn about while reading your book: “Cocktails, Mocktails, and Garnishes from the Garden”?
The book contains 25 classic cocktail recipes and 25 variations of those recipes that use fresh, seasonal ingredients. At the beginning of the book, there is a section on gardening and how to grow the ingredients and garnishes yourself. I tried to make it a good book for those new to cocktails, gardening, or both.
As a cocktail enthusiast, blogger, and book author you’re open to collaborations with brands. Tell us more about your previous collaborations.
Collaborating with brands can be a lot of fun. I love trying new products and figuring out how I want to use them in recipes. I’ve done quite a few collaborations at this point, but usually, I will create an original cocktail recipe and photograph it along with the product. Sometimes I will make a video showing how to create the cocktail.
I work with liquor brands most often, but I’ve also worked with companies making mixers, barware, and glassware.
Which bar in the world impressed you the most so far?
What a great question, and a difficult one to answer! In terms of sheer creativity and presentation, I think Paradiso in Barcelona. I appreciate a low-key bar that makes simple drinks well, but that’s something I do at home as well. So I love the spots that really go over the top with their drinks.
Do you have any secret ingredients to share with our readers?
My current favorite liqueur to mix with is Kleos Mastiha. It’s a Greek liqueur made from mastic resin from the island of Chios. It’s hard to describe the flavor, but it’s very bright and herbal. It goes in so many different drinks. It’s also a woman-owned and founded brand. Not a secret, but definitely an ingredient a lot of people haven’t heard of.
Can you reveal your favorite drink that you have ever made? The drink that you’re proud of.
I think it’s probably this daiquiri variation I created last year. I love a good daiquiri, I love Giffard’s banana liqueur, and I thought the bar spoon of crème de cacao really made the drink.
Something to Sleep to
1 oz. Appleton Estate Reserve rum
½ oz. Plantation OFTD rum
½ oz. Giffard Banane du Bresil
¾ oz. lime juice
½ oz. simple syrup
1 bar spoon crème de cacao (preferably Tempus Fugit)
Shake with ice and strain into a coupe glass. No garnish.
Thank you Katie for your time!
