Ted Kilgore fell for spirits hard - and he grew up in a lifestyle that absolutely forbade that type of thing. A mostly self taught bartender who started in a sketchy hotel, he read bartender books and followed the leads of cocktail legends to work his way up to eventual ownership. Now as co-owner of Planters House and Small Change in St. Louis, Missouri, Kilgore is able to marry his two big obsessions - spirits and Tom Waits - to create craft cocktail menus as well as the playlists to go along with them. Check out his Goin' Out West playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1JgoYggfz26dXcUsdGLQmS?si=6UbaKFPbRT2w9VvVCqxBvA

Daddy Long Legs has bounced around Chicago, Alaska, and is currently in Salt lake City, Utah creating delicious cocktails and pastries: a love affair of two great tastes which taste great together! With culinary school behind him, this 2024 Imbibe Person to Watch has bounced between the kitchen and the bar and enjoys combining the two with a boozy dessert or a savory cocktail, just to keep things interesting. He's also been known to flow some great rhymes, having grown up with a Chicago house DJ dad and the ability to write lyrics for himself to share when the mood strikes him. Check out his Journey to the Iconics playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7p281ZZ39BmmbF8FOMUU8A?si=sl1PFUDqQU-x_il2y2bGNg

During the pandemic, Julio "Jules" Gutierrez got inspired to make his own cocktails, like many of us did. His twist? He decided to create cocktails with the intention of teaching others about indigenous spirits, cultures, and music. The resulting pop up, Chuntikis, has taken him all over the United States as well as Mexico as he left behind a stint as a radio DJ in favor of touring with his drinks. This 2023 Imbibe "Person to Watch" educates his audience with thoughtful cocktails created through a tropical lense, which has taken him to interesting places, including a Savage Fenty photo shoot (he was the model). Check out the music that inspired both his cocktails and the pop up here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02FCgB94cQsmzWOxxHpUaM?si=Gb_eeioOTfChej8HXImvEA