Professor Proof

Home bar coming along. Been really enjoying the process. #homebar #cocktails #design

"And so for a time it looked as if all the adventures were coming to and end; but that was not to be." -The Chronicles of Narnia Let your adventure begin. If you’ve been in a rut or lull for some time, don’t think that a more free and fulfilled version of your life no longer exists. Have some courage to keep going despite setbacks, broken pieces, discouragements. Don’t ever become dead to the dream of what you’d like to make out of your life. But also, take action. Because dreams without work breed staleness and regret over the long-term. Equal parts dream and work. It’s the new year now, and a valid excuse to reassess and inject some vision into your life. Unless dry January is in the cards for you, why not let a cocktail breathe some inspiration for what is to come in 2023? I’ve never been much of a fiction book person, but the Narnia series and it characters have invariably spoken to me throughout my life. I love a cocktail that makes me dream of a world that could be. Just as Lucy did in a dusty little wardrobe on a rainy English afternoon. I imagine she’d sip on this if she could. GOOD EVENING, MR. TUMNUS! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1½ oz gin @thebotanistgin ½ oz vanilla extract ½ oz white creme de cacao ½ oz rose hip simple syrup ½ oz lemon juice 1 tbsp honey 1 egg white Perform a hard dry shake with all ingredients for 30 seconds to emulsify the egg white and integrate the honey without it seizing up (honey doesn’t like cold). Then shake with ice and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with dried rose petals or a Turkish Delight candy on the rim if you can find a variety that tastes good. #booksandbooze #turkishdelight #professorproof #narnia #cocktailbook #cocktail #cocktails #bar #drinks #bartender #drink #mixology #cocktailbar #drinkstagram #food #mixologist #instagood #cocktailsofinstagram #alcohol #bartenderlife #party #cheers #barman #drinkup #cocktailtime #craftcocktails #liquor #bartending #thirsty #instadrink 📸: @robertjordanfinney

It’s been just over a year and a half since the inception of Professor Proof, and the business has been on a slow burn for quite some time. I had three events in the fall/winter of 2021 and then started a rebrand at the beginning of 2022. I’ve been patient with the process, but it’s time to take things up and notch, zone in, and see what this little mixology brainchild can do. 2023 THINGS: My @showit website will soon be live from none other than impressive web designer @blairstaky . She’s done a wonderful job at curating an aesthetic that fits the brand beautifully. If you’re looking to create an online presence that is attractive and highly customizable, I can recommend Blair. She is talented at what she does. Be on the lookout for a Professor Proof website come the new year. In September 2022, I hired photographer @robertjordanfinney to shoot photos of cocktails at a beautiful and historic midtown Memphis home. The results of different segments of the shoot are what you find here on this Instagram page, and we have another daylong shoot in January. I’m more than excited to share the results of what we capture. Stay tuned. Again, if you are new here, Professor Proof is a craft cocktail collective that does events, recipe development, creative teaching experiences, and home bar consultations. If you’d like to book any of these services, shoot me a DM to see if we’d be a good fit. It’s time to get to work. Merry Christmas, everyone. 📸: @robertjordanfinney #newyear #newyou #professorproof #motivation #inspiration #cocktail #cocktails #bar #drinks #bartender #drink #mixology #cocktailbar #drinkstagram #food #mixologist #instagood #cocktailsofinstagram #alcohol #bartenderlife #party #cheers #barman #drinkup #cocktailtime #craftcocktails #liquor #bartending #thirsty #instadrink

Spiciness is probably the most underrated tasting note in the world of cocktails. Most people want to order something “complex”, “crushable”, or a drink that’s just flat out familiar to them. However, in a truly well-balanced cocktail, incorporating heat can yield an amazingly different drinking experience that is worth exploring. This highball will kick you in the mouth yet quickly demand another sip. The addition of a close-to-home candy for the garnish just brings it all together, leaving you a treat at the end. I partnered with @capspepperco to infuse a bottle of vodka with a variety of pepper which shares the same name (yet slightly different spelling) of the candy, Lemon Starrburst. LEMON STARBURST HORSEKICK 2 oz pepper infused vodka @olddominick 1 oz lemon cordial @strangewayscordials Topo Chico to top @topochicousa Garnish: Lemon Starburst candy on rim @starburst 📸: @robertjordanfinney #spicycocktail #pepper #lemonstarrburst #starburst #spicy #cocktail #cocktails #bar #drinks #bartender #drink #mixology #cocktailbar #drinkstagram #food #mixologist #instagood #cocktailsofinstagram #alcohol #bartenderlife #party #cheers #barman #drinkup #cocktailtime #craftcocktails #liquor #bartending #thirsty #instadrink

There’s something good that can come from any situation, fantastic even, if you can be creative enough. One time while passing through Greenville, SC to visit my mother, I wanted to make a cocktail for everyone without going out to buy any new ingredients. This is the bad boy I came up with, and I’ve modified it only slightly. The original recipe calls for maple syrup instead of rosemary simple syrup, which is also delicious. THE SILVER LINING •••••••••••••••••••• 2 oz rye whiskey @bulleit ¾ oz rosemary simple syrup @caneandherb901 ¾ oz lemon juice ¾ oz St. Germain @stgermaindrinks 1 egg white Garnish: charred rosemary sprig 📸: @robertjordanfinney #silverlining #carpet #professorproof #rosemary #cocktailrecipes #cocktail #cocktails #bar #drinks #bartender #drink #mixology #cocktailbar #drinkstagram #food #mixologist #instagood #cocktailsofinstagram #alcohol #bartenderlife #party #cheers #barman #drinkup #cocktailtime #craftcocktails #liquor #bartending #thirsty #instadrink

The Espresso Martini fad isn’t exactly a fad – and for good reason. Its exceptional combination of coffee, chocolate, and booze make for a nearly perfect after-dinner rally cap drink. I often wonder why people don’t branch out and try more riffs of this delicious cocktail. LAVENDER ESPRESSO MARTINI ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1 oz vodka @olddominick 1 oz Chameleon cold brew @chameleoncoffee 1 oz lavender simple syrup @caneandherb901 Garnish: dried lavender buds Optional: egg white for more froth 📸: @robertjordanfinney #espressomartini #lavender #professorproof #cocktailphotography #drinkup #cocktail #cocktails #bar #drinks #bartender #drink #mixology #cocktailbar #drinkstagram #food #mixologist #instagood #cocktailsofinstagram #alcohol #bartenderlife #party #cheers #barman #drinkup #cocktailtime #craftcocktails #liquor #bartending #thirsty #instadrink

Minimalism is an approach to design that I’ve always deeply respected. Clean lines, organic elements, and natural tones all make for an overall aesthetic that is worth coming back to. This little guy is minimalism in a drink - likely the first of many. THE EUCALYPTICAL ••••••••••••••••••••• 2 oz gin @thebotanistgin ¾ oz lavender simple syrup @caneandherb901 ¾ oz yuzu juice 4 dashes eucalyptus bitters @hellacocktailco Garnish: eucalyptus sprig + lemon zest 📸: @robertjordanfinney

Another smoked Old Fashioned, eh? The flavor on this one is different than anything I’ve had before so had to set the stage and cue the lights for this beauty. COKE SMOKED OLD FASHIONED ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2 oz bourbon @bulleit 1 oz Coca Cola infused simple syrup 3 dashes aromatic bitters @angosturahouse Cherry smoking chips @thecraftycocktail Garnish with orange peel and Luxardo cherry 📸: @robertjordanfinney #smokedoldfashioned #professorproof #cocktailphotography #cuttingboard #creative #cocktail #cocktails #bar #drinks #bartender #drink #mixology #cocktailbar #drinkstagram #food #mixologist #instagood #cocktailsofinstagram #alcohol #bartenderlife #party #cheers #barman #drinkup #cocktailtime #craftcocktails #liquor #bartending #thirsty #instadrink

There are so many solid recipes for a harvest punch worth trying. Mine substitutes sloe gin for vodka. Sloe gin incorporates wild English sloe berries, which are similar to plums but more tart in flavor. SLOE FALL HARVEST PUNCH •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 6 cups ice ½ gal. apple cider 1 bottle Prosecco @lamarcaprosecco 1 cup sloe gin @haymansgin 2 (12 oz.) can ginger beer 3 apples, sliced 5 orange wheels 8 cinnamon sticks Garnish servings with cinnamon sticks 📸: @robertjordanfinney #harvestpunch #fall #professorproof #cocktailhour #luxury #cocktail #cocktails #bar #drinks #bartender #drink #mixology #cocktailbar #drinkstagram #food #mixologist #instagood #cocktailsofinstagram #alcohol #bartenderlife #party #cheers #barman #drinkup #cocktailtime #craftcocktails #liquor #bartending #thirsty #instadrink

A complex cocktail curated to be sipped slowly, perhaps with a good book. This drink utilizes both varietals of Chartreuse in addition to another French liqueur, Chambord, to add fruit-forward notes. MONK MILKSHAKE •••••••••••••••••••• 1 oz Green Chartreuse 1 oz Yellow Chartreuse 1 oz Chambord 1 oz lemon juice ½ oz vanilla extract 5 drops monk fruit juice 3 dashes plum bitters 1 egg white Garnish with nutmeg 📸: @robertjordanfinney #chartreuse #monk #professorproof #carthusian #bookstagram #cocktail #cocktails #bar #drinks #bartender #drink #mixology #cocktailbar #drinkstagram #food #mixologist #instagood #cocktailsofinstagram #alcohol #bartenderlife #party #cheers #barman #drinkup #cocktailtime #craftcocktails #liquor #bartending #thirsty #instadrink

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS + LOGO WORK Every journey has a beginning. Half the battle is to start and not stop. Create measurable, time-sensitive goals. Work on them daily. Be relentless with your vision. Welcome to Professor Proof. We are a craft cocktail collective that specializes in (1) luxury, private bartending, (2) creative teaching experiences, and (3) restaurant/bar consultations. I’d like to express my gratitude to @99designs for offering such a comprehensive process to secure a brand image that I was satisfied with. I paid a fair price to start a design contest that gave me multiple renderings that were revised many times throughout the entire process. The outcome was beautiful. Entrepreneurs take note: if you have a solid concept that you want to breath life into, look into @99designs . I think you’ll be happy with the work and enjoy the process equally as much. #99designs #logo #vintage #professorproof #minimalism #cocktail #cocktails #bar #drinks #bartender #drink #mixology #cocktailbar #drinkstagram #food #mixologist #instagood #cocktailsofinstagram #alcohol #bartenderlife #party #cheers #barman #drinkup #cocktailtime #craftcocktails #liquor #bartending #thirsty #instadrink