Cocktails & Community, Respecting Your Ingredients with Sol Thomas

This week I’m talking with my friend and one of my favorite bartenders, Sol Thomas. Although I’ve known Sol for quite some time and have enjoyed many of his cocktail creations, this interview was the first time I got to hear how he ended up in Philly as well as where he gets inspiration for his libations.

In this episode, I learned about how methodical and intentional Sol is with both his cocktail ingredients as well as his relationships throughout the hospitality and beverage community.

Topics Include:

🍸 The Importance of Building and Nurturing Relationships

🌶 From Farm to Glass - Using Fresh Produce for Cocktails

🍸 Opportunities and Education Through USBG - US Bartenders Guild

🌶 Cocktail Competitions & Frozen Aviations

🍸 Inherited Love of Food from Dad and Hospitality from Mom

🌶 Expansion of Spaces for Openly Discussing Mental Health in the Industry

Thanks for listening, and enjoy the following episode, Cocktails & Community, Respecting Your Ingredients with Sol Thomas.

About Sol:

Sol Thomas (he/him) was born in Newark, New Jersey but lives and works in Philadelphia, PA. In 2009 he volunteered to help build a friend’s private catering business in Philadelphia while studying cell biology and neuroscience in New Jersey. He was hired by a restaurant called Destination Dogs on the strength of that volunteer work where he was able to work his way up from bouncing for bands on the weekends to managing. In 2016 he was given the opportunity to move to Philadelphia to be an opening manager of Destination Dogs new location. Sol seized that opportunity and has considerably grown his network through multiple professional hospitality education resources and cocktail competitions. 

Sol believes in the power of connection. His mantra is “laughter is the shock absorber of life”. He believes in the importance of seeking out people and experiences that bring you joy so you are not mired by the muck of the world as you travel through your life. Believe in who you are, live and be present in the moment so you can recognize the chances for growth in your life and act accordingly. If you ask him about his favorite cocktail, it’s the one in his hand.

Connect with Sol on Instagram and Facebook.

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