When it comes to cocktails, it’s not just about mixing spirits, it’s about creating experiences. We sat down with Beni Castellanos, Food and Beverage Manager at Redding Country Club, whose passion for bartending started unexpectedly when he was just fifteen, helping a friend with a party. “All I did was open beers and pour sodas, but I had such a great time interacting with people,” he recalls. That moment sparked a realization: he wanted to be the person behind the bar, the one people come to see for a drink and a bit of connection.
The Art of Creating Cocktails
What inspires Beni when crafting a new cocktail? Everything around him. “It’s the changing of seasons, something I read or saw on social media, or even when guests tell me about their favorite drinks.” While he doesn’t yet have a signature cocktail, he’s always experimenting and hopes to land on one soon.
Fall Flavors and Seasonal Inspiration
When asked what makes fall cocktails special, his answer was immediate: the season itself. “It’s the crisp air, the changing leaves, that in-between moment when summer slowly gives way to winter.” His go-to autumn flavors? Apple, pear, cinnamon, and perhaps controversially, pumpkin.
One of his favorite fall creations this year is a simple yet seasonal cocktail:
Mezcal with Homemade Beet Shrub
- 2 oz mezcal
- 1 ½ oz beet shrub
Shake and pour into a martini glass, garnish with an orange peel, and enjoy a perfect fall sip.
Homemade Beet Shrub Recipe
Ingredients:
- 5 beets, cut into small chunks
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup distilled white vinegar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Cinnamon sticks (to taste)
- Whole cloves (to taste)
- Orange peel (to taste)
Tools:
- Blender
- Rubber spatula
- Mesh strainer
- Glass jar with lid
Instructions:
- Add the beets and both vinegars to a blender and purée until smooth.
- Using a rubber spatula, press the purée through a mesh strainer into a medium bowl. You should have about 2–3 cups of liquid.
- Transfer the beet-vinegar liquid to a glass jar. Add the sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peel. Stir to combine.
- Cover the jar and let steep at room temperature for 1 day.
- Strain again through a mesh strainer, then bottle the liquid.
- Store in the refrigerator. The flavor develops best after 1 week.
Storage: Keeps up to 2 months in the fridge.
Tips for Hosting at Home
For those entertaining at home, Beni emphasizes fresh ingredients, quality spirits, and the importance of garnish. He also recommends The Bar Book by Jeffrey Morgenthaler as a must-have guide.
Simple swaps can also make a huge difference. “Try syrups, like gomme syrup or honey, instead of simple syrup. Or swap citrus with a shrub for a balance of sweetness and acidity.”
As for common mistakes? Many assume an expensive spirit automatically makes a better cocktail. His advice: learn the recipe, use clean ice, measure accurately with a jigger, and have the right tools. “It’s the same as having a good kitchen knife at home; with the basics, you can do almost anything.”
And when it comes to a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, he turns to the classic Tommy’s Margarita: tequila, agave, and fresh lime juice.
The Power of Presentation
For Beni, presentation is essential. “It sets the tone not only visually but also aromatically; creating an experience for the guest.” His favorite glassware includes coupe glasses, a classic martini glass, quality rocks glasses, and a Collins glass for mixed drinks. A polished presentation can be as simple as a fresh fruit wedge or a clean peel garnish.
Memorable Moments & Community Inspiration
One of his most memorable cocktails was an Old Fashioned he made for a guest named Shane. “He was traveling for business, came in right before last call, and asked for an Old Fashioned. He was very knowledgeable and shared his passion for cocktails with me. We ended up closing the bar together, sharing stories, and we still keep in touch.”
If he were to create a cocktail inspired by Redding, bourbon would be the star. “It’s so versatile, and it gets better with time, just like a strong community.”
More Than Just a Drink
At the heart of bartending, Beni sees cocktails as a way to build connections. “They are not just about the drink itself but about sharing a moment, a memory. When you make a cocktail for someone, you’re offering more than flavor in a glass, you’re offering attention, care, and a piece of yourself.”
Whether it’s a seasonal creation, a perfectly balanced classic, or a cocktail crafted for connection, Beni reminds us that drinks are about more than what’s in the glass, they’re about the moments shared around it.
