Meet our friend Garrett and learn more about how he combines his passions for mixology and photography.
Name:
Garrett Bell
Location:
Originally born in Montana, but mainly grew on the east coast near Boston. Been in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2011.
Go-To Cocktail:
Negroni or Boulevardier
Instagram:
@thegameologist
Website:
www.thegameologist.com
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you first get into mixology? Who/what/where taught you what you know?
Once I started going out to cocktail bars, I realized I didn’t know anything about cocktails or what to expect from a drink with the ingredients on the menu and I was tired of rum and cokes after college. So I decided I wanted to learn about drinks and how to make them to get a better understanding of what to order when I go out. I made a big haul from the liquor store one day, started mixing, and my collection and hobby grew from there. I’m all self-taught, learned from books like The Flavor Bible, Cocktail Codex, and Smuggler’s Cove, Instagram, and googling all the classic recipes. Once I got a basic understanding of recipes, I started to branch out and make my own.
What are you excited about in the world of mixology right now?
I’m most excited about the creative photography aspect of the mixology community and how people are presenting their drinks. It’s fun learning recipes from other mixologists, but it’s even more fun when scrolling through Instagram to see people get creative with their shots. I’ve gotten inspired by the Instagram community over the last few years to push myself and try out new photography techniques, including fun stuff like splash shots.
Tell us about a recent experiment!
My most recent experiments are with photo technique and the best way to capture splash shots. I’ve enjoyed playing around with a lot of different lighting and camera setups. I’m slowly nailing down the technique, but I’ve learned even more about photography and lighting in the meantime, which I’m excited about.
What is one recipe that you created on your own that you’re really proud of?
One recipe I made a while back, that’s probably still my favorite original recipe I’ve made is a drink called Casual Friday. It’s a bourbon tiki inspired drink that I threw together really quick because I was just experimenting, but ended up being my most unique and flavorful original recipe. It’s made with Rye, Yellow Chartreuse, Maraschino, Agave, Lime Juice, Pineapple Juice, and Orange Bitters.
