BEHIND THE BAR Sebastian Ventura is the Education Director for Devoción’s US operations whose roles include formulating drink recipes, educating retail staff and wholesale clients, as well as quality control, including cupping all coffees before they go on bar.
While studying at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, they worked at an olive oil tasting bar that gave them the foundation for understanding different varietals and profiles of a specialty product.
Sebastian’s work at Devoción is crucial to understanding our coffees and how to get the best out of them in brewing, and later passing on that knowledge to our baristas. Sebastian's signature drink, Midnight Manhattan, features dark and deep flavors gastronomically fitting for Halloween.
The drink’s creator calls it “perfect for the early evening, after dinner and before going out.” As for why they chose to serve it in a black iron chalice? “I’m all about the drama of everything.”
Midnight Manhattan
The Midnight Manhattan is an elegant, luscious and sweet cocktail balanced by the rich chocolate notes of our Toro cold brew.
Ingredients:
2 oz Toro cold brew
1 oz Grand Marnier
½ oz Italian Amaro
½ oz simple syrup
Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Agitate for 30 seconds and then strain into black iron chalice (or any drinkware of your choice).