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Jess Larson

Jess Larson | Bartender Atlas

Who | Jess Larson
Where | Key West, Florida, USA
Current Bar | Coasting Cocktails
Past Bar(s) | Tiki House
Favourite Spirit | The Agave Spirits
Favourite Juice | I love to play around with unique tropical fruit juices
Favourite Classic Cocktail | Depends on my mood… I love a good Bee’s Knees
First Classic Cocktail you ever had | A Daiquiri?
Favourite Part of the Job | Creating a memorable experience/Leaving an impression
Favourite After Work Drink | Tequila! Chilled, straight, on the rocks, in a marg. I feel like Dr. Seuss right now…
Favourite bar in the world | Sip & Guzzle (New York)
Best known for | My smile and my custom cocktail menus for events
Favourite “at work” memory | I have a celebrity repeat client (sorry….signed an NDA!) It’s an honor that she continues to choose me and my staff to bartend all of her private parties when she visits the area. Especially since the first party I bartended for her, my second bartender got SMASHED, caused a scene and had to be removed from the property. It was first issue I encountered as a business owner and I was devastated. I am so glad she saw my dedication and passion for my business, despite someone else’s behavior. Getting that call to work a second event and show what we’re really made of was such a huge win for me and my biz! I am so thankful every time I get that call to work another part.

What’s the most popular cocktail in your city? Anything tropical…I live on an island! Lot’s of rum-based cocktails…we have several small rum distilleries that are popular with the tourists. I would say daiquiris, margaritas, or anything frozen.
Favourite thing about your city | The community. In most cities, people don’t even know their neighbors anymore. Key West has such a strong sense of community. There is always some type of fundraiser going on. There are so many non-profit events! You never have to worry about being homeless. There is always a couch for you to sleep on. A lot of people in hospitality don’t have insurance. As soon as someone is injured, there’s a GoFundMe set up and events thrown to raise money for that person. The community is unlike any other!

Who is your favourite fictional bartender? This is hard. I don’t even recall is she actually bartends that often in the show, but let’s say Cece from New Girl. She’s hot and sassy! 
What was the last photo that you took?
A photo of a Tiramisu- Souffled Espresso Martini I’ve been working on.
Where is one place that you have never been but would like to travel to? I want to go everywhere and see everything! I think Spain is next on my list! I also really want to do a Tequila tour in Mexico!
Any claims to fame? Working on it! I applied to Tales Cap and Runamok this year! Fingers crossed! I’m also learning flair so maybe I’ll have a really cool personalized trick soon! HA!

Aperitivo or Digestivo? Digestivo
Sparkling or Flat? Sparkling
Paper Plane or Penicillin? Penicillin 
Sherry or Vermouth? Sherry

Are you available for freelance gigs? Absolutely!
Find them: Instagram (Coasting Cocktails) | Instagram | Facebook
Media: Backyards of Key West – Crafted Elegance: Coasting Cocktails with Jessica