Behind the Cocktails – These Three Women Do Much More than Craft Cocktails at Your Favorite Local Bars
When you sit down at a bar and order your favorite or new cocktail, you probably don’t give a lot of thought to the history behind it or even how it was created. However, to these three women below, cocktails are a huge part of their job.
Cocktails have grown in popularity and creativity since that first documented cocktail, Sazerac, in New Orleans in the 1850s. Today, there are no limits when it comes to cocktail creation and ideas.
Angela Williams of Hel’s, Brewer Johnson of The Trophy Room and Morgan Graham of The Remedy all share some of their favorite aspects of their jobs, their favorite cocktails they’ve created and more. If you frequent any of these establishments then you’ve likely seen them around and hopefully know them by name!
Angela Williams – Bartender at Hel’s
As soon as you step into Hel’s, you’ll realize it’s a very inclusive space. They also have a great patio for relaxation and games in front of the bar’s entrance. Angela Williams serves up drinks and smiles regularly at Hel’s. She shares that, in addition to being a bartender there, as they have no manager, each employee chips in on various tasks.
Her favorite parts about the job are the people and how it’s never dull. She says, “I’ve met a lot of great people as a bartender. I never get bored. Every day is an adventure.”
Like many bartenders, she loves getting creative in making different cocktails. Her mom is the reason behind the favorite cocktail she created. Angela’s mom requested a strong fruity drink, and she just threw something together that her mom loved. It ended up being a cocktail called Angie’s Mama’s Drink at her previous job.
She worked with the owner at a previous job and was excited to come work for her at Hels. “It’s a safe space for everyone,” Angela shares.
Information to Visit Hel’s
Location: 545 Trade Street NW, Suite 103, Winston-Salem
Instagram: @helswsnc
Brewer Johnson – Bartender at The Trophy Room/Dogwood Hops & Crops
You might notice beside Brewer Johnson’s name are two bar names. The Trophy Room and Dogwood Hops & Crops have a unique setup as they are right beside each other and connected in the back. Both have very different vibes and drink offerings and should be on your list of bars to visit in 2025!
She shares what she loves about the job, “Everything besides the hours is the best part of my job. The people I get to work with, the atmosphere, just about all of it.”
For Brewer, it’s a tie for the favorite cocktail she’s created. She says it’s either the Cowboy Killer, a chamoy mango spicy margarita, or Basic Witches, their famous pumpkin spice espresso martini.
When it comes to inspiration for creating drinks, she says it comes from her garden and kitchen. “I think that a great drink should have an identity beyond liquor,” she says.
Information to Visit The Trophy Room & Dogwood Hops & Crops
Location: 517 N Liberty Street, Winston-Salem
Instagram: @thetrophyroomws & @dogwoodhopsandcrops
Morgan Graham – General Manager at The Remedy
The Remedy has beverages for all tastes and needs all day long. From providing your caffeine fix with coffee to a cocktail after a long day, they’ve got you covered. As General Manager, Morgan Graham is a huge part of not just their cocktails but the overall amazing vibe and success of The Remedy, as well.
Morgan shares, “The best part of my job is that I don’t even see it as a ‘job.’ It’s about creating a vibrant, welcoming space that our community can enjoy, while also fostering a supportive and inspiring environment for my team.”
Her favorite cocktail creation is Sage Advice. It was a fun spin on a whiskey sour and featured sage-infused whiskey and a housemade orange-vanilla spiced syrup. One reason it’s her favorite is because it was the first step in The Remedy making their own infusions and syrups from scratch.
In her role, Morgan gets to train the next generation of bartenders. “I love watching someone discover their own flair and how they can play with flavors, build their own style and express themselves through cocktails. It’s incredible to see them realize they have the freedom to experiment and make something truly unique. Being part of that journey, encouraging them to trust their instincts and the spark of excitement when growth happens, is what makes this work so rewarding for me.”
Information to Visit The Remedy
Location: 492 West End Boulevard, Winston-Salem
Instagram: @theremedyws
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