Joaquin Simo, Creator of Cocktails & Conviviality

Pernod Absinthe put together this stylish video of Death & Co's Joaquin Simo, talking about the history of absinthe and its comeback here in the US. Towards the end, after talking about his Meehan Bag, he also offers up one of my favorite quotes regarding hospitality in general.

This is what we do. No matter how much we fetishize our ice and our equipment and our old bar manuals, those guys in the old bar manuals knew that their guests needed to be happy. They knew that they needed to provide them a place of respite, a place of sanctuary, and anything we can do to make this a hospitable, welcoming place, no matter what your mood. Whether you're celebrating or mourning, whether you're looking to get over a long day or start a long night, we need to be able to provide you with what you're after. The challenge of reading every customer and trying to figure out what they need out of me is what keeps me back behind the bar.

[Continue reading at: Pernod Absinthe (YouTube)]