“Spirited Women: Makers, Shakers & Trailblazers in the World of Cocktails” Hosts Chicago events | Eater Chicago
"A Brooklyn bar where Sammi Katz bartends and whose bartender-authored cocktails make up much of the book’s drink selection; Katz’s early experience — starting bartending in Manhattan in 2015 as the only woman on staff, with customers asking why she wore a vest and tie instead of the little black dresses servers wore — informs the book’s mission. Katz states, “Alcohol and spirits is still considered a male-dominated space, both from behind the bar and the other side of the bar, where there are stigmas of what women drink and what men drink. We really wanted to debunk and break down these outdated notions by showing a bunch of women doing incredible things.” She also explains the book’s practical approach to cocktails: “For a book like this that’s not focused on cocktail technique, it’s just about how we best tell the story of this woman and her career in cocktails and make it accessible for home bartenders by not using infusions or anything too wild or expensive. We wanted to keep it as relatable as possible so someone could open the book and feel confident doing it.” On inspiration and change, Katz adds, “I think the more we hear about ladies kicking ass, the easier it will get for other people to follow suit. It’s hard to break into a boys club, but there are women who are really working toward opening those doors.”" - Sam Nelson
