NYC Renowned Mixologist Miguel Aranda Comes to Bettola

Miguel Aranda

You might have noticed Angel Negrin, our principal bartender, experimenting behind the bar the past few weeks. That’s because Angel is hard at work developing a whole new scale of creative, quality cocktails to add to the menu. So where did all this tinkering start? With acclaimed New York, alchemist/bar-chef Miguel Aranda, with whom Angel trained last month.

This weekend, the creative genius behind Angel’s newest inspirations is coming to Birmingham, escalating our bar menu to new heights.

After tutoring with Miguel Aranda, of Apotheke and Theatre Bar in New York, Angel and chef James Lewis couldn’t resist bringing Miguel to town so you, our customers, could experience his talents first-hand. Miguel, who is renowned as one of the best mixologists on the East Coast, hails from Mexico City. He began his career behind the bar in 1998, and after apprenticing with some of the drink-world’s best, most notably fearless mixologist Albert Trummer (Albert was once briefly detained for setting a New York club on fire with one of his out-there libations!), Miguel now wows Manhattan’s most critical drink palates with drinks that mix his fundamental knowledge of food, apothecary, and spirits.

Angel is drawn to Miguel for the bar chef’s commitment to ingenuity (ever had corn in your cocktail?), integrity of ingredients (Miguel carries his own kit of tinctures and bar supplies wherever he goes), and flawless bar technique (you will be wowed by his speed and precision). Miguel’s drinks are potent, herb-infused cocktails that are equal parts strong and good-for-you (given that you drink sensibly). Our partnership with Miguel, could not come at a more opportune time, as we work to develop our bar menu and introduce you to the types of drink and food you can expect from our sister restaurant, Vittoria, opening this summer.

Miguel will be mixing at an afternoon, cocktail-shopping event at Shaia’s men’s clothing boutique in Mountain Brook on Friday, May 6. He will also be behind Bettola’s bar on Saturday night with Angel by his side.
We hope to see you there.

Buon Appetito,
Bettola Staff