What do you call a professional who makes cocktails?

[bacchant036]

after 14 years making cocktails in various parts of the world, and even though now i work as the operations manager for a group of very successful cocktail bars clubs and restaurants if someone asks me what i am, i'm a bartender.

sure some bartenders are better than others,

some restaurants serve better steaks than others - there still all steaks though.

some waiters are better than others, they don't go calling themselves 'food delivery technicians' or 'meal placement directors'. they're waiters.

all these new wonderful names to describe work which is essentially bartending to me just serve to confuse people and do nothing to promote the value of the position.

i'm proud to be a bartender, and never happier when actually behind a bar, making good drinks and making sure everyone enjoys themselves. i think if you have the creativity to use flambed pineapple and pickled ginger to make a superb cocktail, or can spin 4 bottles above your head while doing it without killing anyone (or breaking anything) then that makes you a great bartender,

but still a bartender.

[Libationgoddess]

I couldn't agree more; bartender suits me just fine. I'm almost fascinated by how uncomfortable so many people are with the term. There shouldn't be any need for exhaltations; we should be focusing more on how to reestablish a sense of pride and dignity for the title. Maybe start with perfecting something simple like a whiskey sour?

[chrisstearns]

These guys are more than just bartenders: Flair Bartenders

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And also much, much less.

[Megan Blocker]

Can we please not call them (us ) bar chefs.

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Enablers? Saviours? Incredibly nice and accomodating human beings?

I'm good with bartender, myself.