Meet The Mixologist: Camille Wilson from @thecocktailsnob_

Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you first get into mixology? Who/what/where taught you what you know?

This will probably come as a shock to most people. But I didn’t drink in college. I didn’t like the taste of alcohol at all. And I didn’t understand why people drank it. It wasn’t until I moved back to NYC for graduate  school in the midst of the craft cocktail boom that I started to enjoy drinking. I enjoyed it so much that I would go home and try to recreate the drinks I had at the cocktail bars.. I continued experimenting and researching ingredients. And eventually, started creating my own recipes. 

Then, a few years ago I was searching for a way to get back into the habit of writing. So I figured I’d start a blog. And when I thought about topics I could write about and not grow tired of, cocktails was definitely it! After that, the Cocktail Snob was born. So for the last 2 ½ years, I’ve used my blog and instagram to inspire home bartenders to create their own happy hour at home by sharing simple recipes and tips. And it has brought me so much joy and is a nice break from the work that I do 9-5.

What are you excited about in the world of mixology right now?

I’m excited that more people are taking the time to make more complex drinks at home. As a result of the pandemic, a lot of our favorite bars and restaurants were closed. So people have been forced to make more things at home. I’ve loved seeing aspiring home bartenders be more willing to experiment and take risks in the kitchen. People are becoming more familiar with the craft of mixology and developing a real appreciation for it.

I’ve also loved witnessing how many spirits professionals have adapted to this interesting time. With the closing of bars, many mixologists were out of a job. But many of them have been so creative leveraging their talents and skills in order to pivot.