Ever wondered what it's like to make (and drink!) cocktails for a living? Meet our master mixologist, Maria Vieira!

If you have ever tried one of Craft Gin Club’s bespoke cocktail recipes, like our Pink Gin, Peach & Prosecco Punch perhaps, or our Strawberry and Vanilla Sparkler, then you are one of the lucky few (along with our Craft Gin Club members, of course), who have had the absolute pleasure of experiencing the skilled craftsmanship of the one and only Maria Vieira.

Yes, our resident drink-smith is as talented as she is creative, so we think it is high time that you guys got to know the lady behind our incredible cocktail recipes!

Please can you tell us a bit about your background in the wonderful world of mixology?

“I’ve been working with drinks and cocktails for about 12 or 13 years. I started out in small, Italian cocktail bars and cafés. After a couple of years, I took a professional bar-tending course in Rome, and that’s when I started to work seriously with cocktails. That really sparked my passion for mixology.

“Once I arrived in London, my first job was working in a famous jazz club. The second job I had here was at Mr Fogg’s, which is an incredible specialist gin parlour and cocktail bar in Covent Garden. At that time, Mr Fogg’s had a collection of about 250 gins, and I got to experiment daily, making G&Ts and finding the perfect tonic and garnish to pair with different spirits. And of course, I made a lot of gin cocktails!

“After Mr Fogg’s I worked at the East London Liquor Company – it’s a distillery and a brand of gin and other spirits. I worked both as a bartender and shop manager. There was a big focus on creativity and making bespoke ingredients and new recipes. Meanwhile, working as shop manager gave me a real education in the taste profiles of spirits and liqueurs, what works well with what and what people actually want!”

What made you fall in love with cocktail-making?

“I’m a creative person, and a big part of mixology is creativity. The idea of building something is what really interests me.

“The second thing is flavour in general. I love cooking and I love food from different countries because I travel a lot. Travel has really helped me expand my taste buds. Mixing drinks gives you the opportunity to apply that love of flavour!”

What makes gin such a fun spirit to work with… not to mention drink?

“Gin is really interesting. It’s a clear spirit, and clear spirits are usually easier to mix with than brown spirits like whisky or rum. Vodka mixes well too, but it doesn’t actually have a taste besides the alcohol, so it doesn’t have the same character that gin has.

Gin has the flavour of juniper which is really lovely and combines well with almost everything. Also, because of its botanicals, you really have a bouquet in gin that you can play around with.”

What inspires you when you’re creating drinks?

“I’m always drawn to innovation! I look at what bars are doing, what restaurants are doing, what specific brands are doing and trends in the industry. Trying new things is something that always inspires me!”

What classic cocktails will you be drinking this Valentine’s Day?

“For Valentine’s Day, the first cocktail I think of is a French 75. It’s perfect because it has champagne which is always nice for a toast! Plus, you have lemon, sugar and gin which really adds character.

“Also, because February is usually the coldest month, I like warm cocktails like a Hot Toddy, with a bit of gin, honey, lemon, hot water and tea.”

What skills does someone need to have to be a top-notch mixologist? Do you have any advice for those who want to take their home cocktail-making to the next level?

“You have to be an explorer. Don’t be afraid to try new things. If you see something that’s different from what you’re used to, just give it a go. You never know, you just might like it!

“I think passion is also really important, and the more you have, the better your drinks will be, but most of all, you really just have to have an open mind.

“Also, always try to think about the quality of your ingredients. It really makes a difference! I think that’s the ethos here at Craft Gin Club. We really research the quality of what we send, from the gin to the snacks, and send only the very best!”