It has been a busy week for Sacramento’s elite mixologists. With a series of educational classes and a full calendar of custom events, the cocktail enthusiasts have had plenty to see and sip this week. I got a chance to celebrate cocktail week early with a tasting tour of the people and places involved. Here are some of the people and drinks I discovered along the way.

Simple and delicious are the keys to cocktails at Paragary’s.

JAYSON WILDE is one of the owners of the amazing new bar/barber shop BOTTLE AND BARLOW. He came into the studio to shoot the cover of the SNR and we put together a little cocktail orange look.  Well well well ma little brothers, cheers!

Cover of the 2015 SNR cocktail issue

ANNA SCHAUBACH at Shady Lady and the “Spring Fling”

My favorite cocktail is a simple rusty nail. Shady Lady always nails it.

Matt Nurge, barman and owner of Red Rabbit, is a master of the long pour.

Jason Yee, owner of the Preflight Lounge keeps it simple.

Chris Tucker at Hook and Ladder told me about the good old days of bottle spinning and adding “flare” to making cocktails.

Brad Peters is the head of the Sacramento bartenders guild and the master of drinks at Paragary’s.