Derivative Mixology

13/07/2024

Hey cocktail enthusiasts! Derivative Mixology recently released a blog on cocktail garnishing. That extra touch, bling, edible enchantment, that’s sometimes in the way of sipping your liquid happiness. Well, it’s one of my favorite parts to a cocktail. It really shows if one is on top of their garnish game or not. From citrus peels, to smoke, to edible floral, to candy, and so much more, the sky is the limit with creativity and classic approaches. Check out the link and have a read. I’m curious, what are some of your favorite garnishes? What would you like to see paired with one of your favorite cocktails? #🍹 #🍸

https://www.derivativemixology.com/post/elevate-your-cocktail-experience-with-innovative-garnishes

04/07/2024

Hello everyone, it’s Derek James with Derivative Mixology. It’s been quite the ride these past six months. From Pittsburgh PA to Melbourne FL to Santa Clarita CA.
With just a few weeks to go, DM will be back on the road heading to the next destination to set up shop.
With this new direction will come a new style of posts. A lot is still in the works and much is being tweaked. I’ve launched a new website to showcase my services and have included a product page for visitors to purchase recommended bar equipment/product. Thank you with for your continuous encouragement to add this service to my website.
Keep an eye out for what’s to come. I’m excited to share with you all these next transitions. Cheers!!🥂

04/07/2024

Cheers to sustainability! 🥂 Dive into the world of eco-conscious mixology and embrace a greener way to enjoy your favorite cocktails. 🌎💚 Share your sustainable drink creations below and inspire others to sip responsibly!

18/04/2024

2024, oh where do I begin?! For starters, what a privilege it’s been to work with located in Homer City PA in creating a cocktail program that compliments their gastropub inspired concept. This destination gem boasts house made craft beers, American comfort eats, and Italian traditional pizza’s; created and served by a passionately driven team. What more could one ask for? Cocktails!
Highlighting some of their unique beers, Derivative Mixology created some beer syrups that set the tone for cocktails such as the CRC Old Fashioned, Agave Haze OF, Homer City Hive, Coal Run Rita and a few others. Featured in the photos are the following cocktails:

Dorcha Stormy -
Made with Coal Run Craft Dorcha Stout, Spiced Rum, Triple Sec, Fresh Lime Juice, Elemakule Tiki Bitters and Ginger Beer. A riff on a classic Dark & Stormy.

Thyme Flies -
Made with butterfly pea tea infused vodka, Triple Sec, Thyme infused cocktail syrup, Fresh Lemon Juice, and topped with seltzer.

All 12 cocktails utilize PA spirits. I highly recommend you check out CRC and enjoy some drinks & eats!

Thank you CRC for the opportunity to create and deliver you a unique cocktail program. Wishing you all great success!! 🥂

13/03/2024

It’s been a wild ride for Derivative Mixology and servicing the Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania area. Many thanks to all the clients that contributed to putting DM on the map. On to the next chapter as DM moves towards expanding our footprint beyond PA.

BBB accreditation shows that your company is committed to the BBB Standards for Trust. Congratulations to these new Accredited Businesses who have made the commitment to be better businesses!

Derivative Mixology I Heron Land & Stone Works I Mamma Lucrezia's Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant I MBC Contracting LLC. I Nolen Cleaning Enterprise LLC I Royal Oak Tree Services I Square 1 Contracting LLC I Terra Healing

20/01/2024

Time flies when you do what you love. Shoutout 📣 to , Chef Dave, Courtney and Luke for the opportunity to team up and offer an amazing experience to the Sewickley community and PGH through an innovative Xmas 🎄popup bar. It was a privilege for DM to design and deliver some delicious holiday cocktails and serve those who celebrated with us. 🥂

05/12/2023

Winter mixology experience at Dec 20th from 6pm - 8pm. Tickets are limited and available via Eventbrite. Cheers!

28/11/2023

“Expressions” Winter Addition is our last mixology experience at Barsotti Wines for the year. Only 15 tickets available (for now). Wednesday December 20th from 6pm - 8pm. Act fast and get your tickets! Bring a friend, date or just some random person you want to experience an evening of fun and cocktails with. Click the link below to access our Eventbrite page. 🍸

A unique mixology experience building three Fall forward cocktails!

27/11/2023

Last in-home mixology experience for the year. 2023 was a blast with the amount of mixology experiences we had the opportunity to offer. Each new mixology experience yields something different, unique and elevated. Not one is the same as the other and that’s what makes each experience so special.

12/10/2023

Yes!! I’ll be back Pittsburgh! thank you for having me and I look forward to shaking up some delicious cocktails for everyone October 19th!!🫶🏻

18/09/2023

Cheers to the birthday girl! May this year be one of your best years yet!!
It’s always a privilege to be a part of a celebration where we have the opportunity to exceed expectations and elevate an experience.

Looking for something outside the norm for a special occasion, get together or an escape? Derivative Mixology is available for in-home, private and business mixology and beverage catering experiences. Contact us to book your experience!

21/08/2023

Derivative Mixology had the privilege to bartend an event last night at . Teaming up with and to execute some creative cocktails for guests that attended the event, The Moment, was an amazing experience to be a part of. Thank you to my team and for helping DM in making the evening behind the mahogany a success. 🥂

22/07/2023

Beach Life, Poolside Bliss, and Ocean Hammock are just a few creative cocktail names used in our “Expressions” mixology experience featuring boutique liqueurs from the Joseph Cartron portfolio. If you missed our recent class, then stay tuned for our Fall inspired experience at Barsotti Wines.

📸 DM

JC liqueurs are purchasable via

12/07/2023

The evolution of spirit, flavor, cocktail and ingredients is presented before you at our upcoming “Evolutions” mixology experience at July 26th. Tickets available via Eventbrite. 🥂

06/07/2023

🍸🍹🥃

You don't want to miss this class.   Derek is back! Whether it’s a date night, friends night out, or a lone wolf kind of night, make it a night at Barsotti Wines. Have fun in an intimate setting perfe

06/07/2023

Wednesday July 19th is our “Expressions” mixology experience. Tickets available via Eventbrite “Expressions”! Join us as we build three unique summer forward cocktails featuring boutique liqueurs from the .cartron portfolio at located in the heart of . 🥂

01/07/2023

Another amazing event at . Big thank you to for all your help. Shout out to for the boutique spirits and liqueurs!!
Till next time! Cheers 🥂

09/06/2023

There’s a story within every experience. Derivative Mixology wants to not only compliment that story, but help share it. I recently had the privilege to offer an elevated experience for a groom to be and his fellow brothers. Through a “split experience” I offer a two cocktail mixology class and an elevated cocktail experience where one is able to smell, eat and sip.
A riff on a cognac sour accompanied with a soft dehydrated banana, topped with strawberry liqueur caviar, finished with cacao air and accompanied with to***co infused black tea water and toasted almond smoke. Testing and pushing boundaries is a forte to be reckoned with.

22/05/2023

What a blast being a part of wine & spirits fest 2023 at ! DM had the privilege to create and execute two unique cocktails featuring portfolio products and .
They were a hit!! 1300 + attendees!!
Shout out to my good friend David H for always supporting DM and the partnership he’s created between Bacardi & Derivative Mixology. Miss you already buddy!!

“Summer time & the living is easy” made with strawberry lemongrass essence vodka, vanilla cocktail syrup, fresh lemon juice, soda and garnished with vanilla strawberry air was a winner.
“Rita from Oaxaca” featuring reposado tequila, Creme de Menthe, Patrón Citronge Orange liqueur, vanilla agave syrup, fresh lime juice and absinthe didn’t stand a chance among its audience. Both cocktails ran out before 10pm. Thank you to all who attended and showed us love and support. Till next time

20/04/2023

Wednesday April 26th is approaching fast. Visit Eventbrite “Expressions” to get your ticket/tickets and participate in a three cocktail hands-on mixology class.
From classic to elevated approaches, this two hour class is the perfect activity to break up the week. “Expressions” is an experience that highlights the use of .cartron liqueurs in each cocktail.
Taking place at , located in , you’re destined to have an enjoyable evening out.









#412

08/04/2023

Looking for something to do in the middle of the week to break up the mundane, look no further. Wednesday April 26th from 5:30pm - 7:30pm we’ll be hosting our “Expressions” mixology class at Barsotti Wines. Featuring boutique liqueurs from the Joseph Cartron Collection. Link below for more info and tickets. Hope to see you there!

Derivative Mixology Presents: "Expressions" A Hands-On Mixology Experience Featuring Boutique Liqueurs From Joseph Cartron Portfolio

08/04/2023

Had the privilege this past Tuesday to design and present cocktails for a photoshoot for .
I worked with some true talent that day and appreciative for the opportunity.
Derivative Mixology is available for weddings, private events, and social gathering beverage catering. Contact us for more information

31/03/2023

From the moment we arrive, we strive at making your special event successful.
I had the privilege last weekend to design and execute an elevated cocktail experience for a 50th birthday party at .
To say the least, our Smoked Bacon Fat Washed Old Fashioned with Creme de Cacao and garnished with chocolate bacon was a hit along with our deconstructed chocolate raspberry cake served as an amuse bouche. Our menu consisted of six unique cocktail experiences from classic to elevated.
What I love most about our events are the awes, smiles and surprised looks from those that take their first sip to their last; priceless!!

I want to extend a special thank you to who has recently become a part of the DM team. The night wouldn’t have been a success without you.

📸 credit

Derivative Mixology continues to explore and push boundaries with what we create and deliver.

We’re available for private events, social gatherings, in-home dinning experiences, and weddings. Book now for an elevated cocktail experience.

28/03/2023

Moving to Pittsburgh Pa from Orlando Fl in 2015 was just the beginning of a journey. Each concept I bartended at played an integral role to where I’m at today as a bartender, mixologist, consultant, and entrepreneur. My love for cocktails started at a young age in Southern California where I’m originally from and evolved across several states to Norfolk Va where the passion became reality. The hustle, creativity, multitasking, and seeing the smile on one’s face after serving them a drink made the job all the more addicting. The photos shown here in chronological order is a snapshot of my journey as a bartender to business owner in the 7.5 yrs I’ve lived here in Pittsburgh Pa. I’ve had the privilege to work with some amazing people and serve some incredible guests and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Well….maybe for a billion dollars 😏

1. Winghart’s 2. Needle & Pin
3. Jean-Louis 4. Spirits & Tales
5. Bridges & Bourbon
6. or, The Whale 7. Early Derivative Mixology 8. Mid Derivative Mixology 9. Derivative Mixology Now

Cheers to World Bartender Day and all you amazing bartenders out there!!!🥃

28/03/2023

The Ensemble: A cocktail I designed for the jamming sessions cocktail competition featuring an audible garnish I produced to complement the evolve of flavor and balance one experiences while they imbibe. Played through a miniature boombox, connected via Bluetooth, this audible garnish contributes to a five sense cocktail experience.

You can listen to my instrumental garnish at www.derivativemixology.com/te

Thank you & for time behind the bar.

28/03/2023

No filter needed. One of my favorite cocktail experiences I enjoy creating and presenting to guests. The porthole infused cocktail (made famous via The Aviary in Chicago) is an evolving flavor experience. Each new pour yields a different taste from the prior. Paired with an hors d’oeuvre per pour makes for an even better experience. We’ll be serving this as an amuse bouche for our upcoming private event.
Utilizing fresh ingredients, Derivative Mixology prides itself in exceeding your expectations.

25/03/2023

Derivative Mixology has partnered with The Oaklander Hotel to offer guests a unique mixology experience. Our mixology class Evolutions is an elevated approach on building cocktails that evolve from one to another with seasonal ingredients in mind. More info coming soon on how to book a class directly from The Oaklander’s website. Cheers!!

01/03/2023

Adding an elevated experience to the Oakland area of Pittsburgh PA.

07/02/2023

2022 was the craziest ytd for DM. From elevated bartending events and trips to two distilleries (patron & greenbardistillery) to cocktail programs, restaurant openings, nightclub consulting, a showcase at Lamb Fest and ever evolving mixology classes. Although I tried, there was too much content to fit in this reel; so I added only the highlights of 2022! . As my latest contract comes to an end, I’m looking forward to beginning work on the new ones that I’ve fostered over the past months. Shuffling through all the content over the past year for this reel showed me what dedication, discipline, drive, and diligence has produced. To my clients, participants, viewers, bystanders, associates, friends and family. Thank you.

01/01/2023

2022 was a wild year. Here’s to 2023! Wishing you all good health and prosperity. Cheers 🥂