Women Bartenders Who Have Made Their Mark

“I need a drink” is a phrase we’ve either heard or have been guilty of saying one too many times. While stepping out for a drink has become a norm when you’re in the mood for a little R & R, it’s time to spotlight the people behind-the-scenes who create some of the most exceptional cocktails.

Over the years, multiple women have shaped the cocktail scene, making it what it is today. Having made their mark across some of the most renown bars of the world, we’ve rounded up some ultra-inspirational females who are masters of their craft and skill.

Ivy Mix

Mix’s bartending journey began at the age of 19 while she was visiting Guatemala, and offered to pay off her tab at a bar by bartending…and that’s where it all began. Inspired by her travels across the Americas, her cocktails are influenced by her extensive knowledge of agave spirits. She has also been named American Bartender of the Year at Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards and Mixologist of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. Mix is also the head bartender and co-owner of the James Beard Award-nominated bar Leyenda in Brooklyn, New York.

Trish Brew

With over twelve years of bartending experience, Brew is an Australian bartender with experience at some of the country’s greatest venues such as Gin Palace, one of the finest gin bars in Australia. Brew has been named TimeOut Melbourne Bartender of the Year and Australian Bartender Bar Manager of the Year!

She has also been named the first ever Australian Brand Ambassador for Fever-Tree, a premium mixer brand.

Ami Shroff

Shroff is India’s first female flair bartender, having performed at over 20 destinations across the country and worldwide too. A mixologist and fire juggler as well, she started her career in 2003 as one of the first women to take bartending as a profession.

Shroff has been awarded Mixologist of the Year by both INCA Awards and the Times Food & Nightlife Awards!

She also curates cocktail menus for some of the most acclaimed establishments and has starred in the Netflix documentary Midnight Asia, depicting the mixing of drinks into performing art.

Monica Berg

The first female to have won the the Altos Bartenders' Bartender Award at The World’s 50 Best Bars, Berg is a Norwegian bartender and entrepreneur. Using her mastery of mixology, Berg opened a bar called Tayēr + Elementary in London that focuses on drinks that showcase lesser-known, underappreciated ingredients. She also has her own line of liqueur named Muyu, a range of liqueurs that blend perfumery and mixology using only natural ingredients.

Hemali Bendre

Part of India's Top 12 World Class bartenders, Bendre is a cocktail wiz working with The Bombay Canteen, Mumbai. Always in search of new taste pairings, Hemali’s Instagram is a fun space to find DIY cocktails, quick-fix drinks, easy bar hacks and innovative mixes.

Tess Posthumus

With the aim of building a cocktail culture in the Netherlands, Posthumus took her passion for mixology to open a cocktail bar in Amsterdam called Flying Dutchmen Cocktails. Having won several national and international competitions, Tess is also a hospitality consultant who has published three books and released her own set of premium bar tools.

Her Instagram is an insight into her bartending experiences and cocktail adventures.