{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/65fdb820b5218f001713c89b/690d3109c72b7869e25861b8?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Sother Teague (Amor y Amargo):  Bitterness, Balance & the Beauty of Saying No","description":"<p>From culinary classrooms to cocktail culture, <strong>Sother Teague</strong> has built one of the most distinctive bars in the world... <em>Amor y Amargo</em> in New York’s East Village by doing what few dared: saying <em>no</em> to juice, sugar and shakers, and saying <em>yes</em> to bitter, spirit-forward drinks built on precision and hospitality.</p><p>In this episode, Damian sits down with the bartender, author and educator to talk about how a career that began in kitchens shaped his approach behind the bar, why “bitterness is the grown-up flavour,” and how a 240-square-foot pop-up turned into a global benchmark for flavour integrity and service culture.</p><p><br></p><h3><br></h3><h3>🧾 In This Episode</h3><ul><li>How Sother’s <strong>culinary discipline and mise en place mindset</strong> shaped his bar craft.</li><li>The story of <strong>Amor y Amargo’s accidental beginnings</strong> — and why it still hasn’t stopped “popping” 14 years later.</li><li>Building a bar around <strong>limitations and flavour focus</strong>: no fruit, no shakers, no syrups — only spirits, fortified wines and bitters.</li><li>Turning “no” into “yes, but…” — <strong>educating guests through experience</strong>.</li><li>The <em>manifesto</em> every team member receives: a <strong>two-way promise of mentorship, standards and care</strong>.</li><li>Why true <strong>hospitality is about feelings</strong>, not transactions.</li><li>New ventures: <strong>SAUCED</strong>, Sother’s upcoming podcast blending food, booze and creative friendship.</li></ul><h3><br></h3><h3>🍊 Key Takeaways</h3><ul><li><em>“We sell hospitality — everything else comes with it for free.”</em></li><li>The first 10 seconds at the bar are everything: eye contact, a menu, and a glass of water.</li><li>Great bartending starts with <strong>knowing your ingredients like a chef knows flavour</strong>.</li><li>Limitation can be a creative superpower.</li><li>Hospitality isn’t service — it’s making people feel <em>welcome, comfortable, and cared for.</em></li></ul><h3><br></h3><h3>🔗 Links &amp; Mentions</h3><ul><li>Follow Sother Teague → <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/creativedrunk\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@CreativeDrunk</a></li><li><strong>Amor y Amargo</strong> — <a href=\"amoryamargo.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">amoryamargo.com</a></li><li><strong>SAUCED Podcast</strong> → <a href=\"https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/timmckirdy/sauced-the-podcast?ref=discovery&amp;term=sauced%20podcast&amp;total_hits=1&amp;category_id=239\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Check out the Kickstarter now live</a></li><li><strong><em>I’m Just Here for the Drinks</em> </strong>– Sother Teague’s essential book on spirits and flavour</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow &amp; Subscribe:</strong></p><p>👉 Instagram @welovecocktails</p><p>👉 TikTok @welovecocktailsx</p><p>👉 Listen &amp; support → thecocktailacademy.com</p>","author_name":"Damian Cole"}