Link Local Spotlight: Local Bartenders Share Their Delicious Recipes For You To Make At Home

By Nick Rama, Link Local Food Ambassador

Since we are definitely missing hanging out with our favorite bartenders, we wanted to showcase some talented area bartenders and their recipes. Now with social distancing and the COVID-19 pandemic, you can enjoy getting to know some of our area’s best bartenders and can make one or two of their signature cocktails at home. Just a reminder please enjoy responsibly and don’t drink and drive. Below you will find out a little bit more about them, their favorite cocktails and some fantastic cocktail recipes. Enjoy!

Name: Steven Treleaven

Restaurant: Craft Grill

Photo Credit: Alexis Barajas

How long have you been a bartender and what drew you to bartending:

I have been bartending for 9 years. I got into bartending because I love talking to all kinds of people and enjoy making people happy. It’s satisfying getting smiles and appreciation out of people.

Your favorite cocktail:

Old Fashioned with bourbon/rye mix

What cocktail recipe would you like to share and why? 

Simple Man’s Marg, it’s easy, refreshing for these days of nice weather we’ve been having.

Cocktail Recipe: Simple Man’s Marg 

2oz Silver tequila 

.5 oz agave nectar 

1.5 oz Lime juice 

Orange pieces 

Sliced jalapeños 

Lime curl for garnish 

Add all ingredients to a shaker, shake, strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass rimmed with chili salt/tajín.

Name: Cassandra Kara Abercomie Schultz

Restaurant: Caroline’s – A Healthy Eatery / The Bomb Noms

Photo Credit: Eric Maz and Cassandra Kara Abercomie Schultz

How long have you been a bartender and what drew you to bartending:

Bartending since 1998. I have always been a server by nature and have an amazing memory for recipes and ingredients. My superpower is creating flavor profiles so I intend to use my powers for good. 

Your favorite cocktail:  My favorite cocktail is a spicy margarita or a Michelada. 

What cocktail recipe would you like to share and why? 

I’m sharing my Bloody Mary and also my sugar-free blood orange hatch margarita for those who want options.

Cocktail Recipe: The Dragons Blood Isle Mary. 

Blue cheese olives, candied bacon,  pickled quail egg & celery, rimmed with “the gang’s all here” seasoning for garn. 

Juice of half lemon, 

1 1/2 ounces high-quality vodka, 

4 ounces tomato juice, 8 good shakes Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon horseradish sauce, 

1 dash The Bomb Noms – Dragons Blood Isle – hot sauce. Shake & strain over ice, top or serve with a shot of ale. 

Served at Caroline’s A healthy Eatery and also at The Union Kitchen Cypress.

Cocktail Recipe: Blood Orange Hatch Keto Rita: 

First: Boil Half a cup of swerve with half a cup of water and the peels of one blood orange. Let steep. Cool then add the juice of the blood orange and 1/3 bottle of orange bitters. Add 1 tbsp hatch powder. Use this triple sec type syrup to make Rita’s.  

2 oz hatch blood orange triple SEC. 

2 oz silver tequila 

1 oz lime juice 

Shake & strain over ice.  Garnish with hatch smoked salt. Serve with a dehydrated lime wedge.

Name: Sharon Jaimes

Restaurant: Chila’s Kitchen

Photo Credit: Dominic Moore

How long have you been a bartender and what drew you to bartending:

I’ve been bartending for 9 years. What really drew me to bartending was the need of money I was a 17 year’s old with 2 kids and no help, I wish I had a different type of answer to why I started bartending but I can tell you that being a bartender at such young age and me being so hungry for success helped me have better communication skills. I learned that you never know who you serve will surprise you, I learned how to manage my money and I learned to survive in an adult world at such a young age. Bartending was the reason I have always had a roof over my head.

Your favorite cocktail: The Mexican Lollipop, the reason I want to share this recipe is that the drink describes me in a way Mexican, spicy, hot and it’s a delicious drink and gives people an experience of a Mexican drink.

What cocktail recipe would you like to share and why? 

The Mexican Lollipop of course!

Cocktail Recipe: The Mexican Lollipop

1 ½ shots  WHITE TEQUILA 

1 shot WATERMELON PUCKER 

1 shot  PINEAPPLE  JUICE  

SHAKE WELL WITH ICE POUR OVER  A GLASS WITH CHAMOY AND TAJIN AROUND THE RIM. 

GARNISH WITH PINEAPPLE OR WATERMELON OR SPICY MEXICAN CANDY. 

Name: Aminda LeBlanc 

Restaurant: Truluck’s

Photo Credit: Naomi Hollingsworth

How long have you been a bartender and what drew you to bartending:

I’ve been bartending for over fourteen years locally here in The Woodlands. Coming up with drinks that would target my guest’s needs or preferences. Getting them out of their comfort zone has always been a rewarding challenge. It’s lovely that they can trust you. 

Your favorite cocktail: You know…. there isn’t a favorite cocktail. I love them all! If I see a recipe that intrigues me I will order and probably talk about it for five minutes. Although I am on a Mezcal kick right now.

What cocktail recipe would you like to share and why? 

You know they say that elderflower liqueur is the bartender’s ketchup…. so because we always have it on hand, I played around with it and bourbon. Here is my original recipe:

Cocktail Recipe: Summer Manhattan 

3oz Bulleit Bourbon 

1 oz St. Germain Elderflower liqueur 

2 dash Fee Brothers Grapefruit Bitters 

1 dash Luxardo Cherry Syrup 

Add ingredients in mixing glass with ice and shake. I am a believer to not shake but to stir manhattans. This special recipe works a whole of a lot better with ice chips on top. Perfect for the summer! Pour into a martini glass. 

Garnish with a grapefruit twist and a Luxardo cherry.

Catch Aminda making a different cocktail every Saturday night right before her husband, Justin Leblanc, goes live with weekly live-streaming every Saturday on social media.  

Justin Leblanc Facebook- facebook.com/justinleblancmusic

Name: Ashton Cobb

Restaurant: Pallotta’s Italian Grill

Photo Credit: Cheyenne Chafin

How long have you been a bartender/server and what drew you to it:

I have been in the industry for around 12 years.  I was drawn to the industry because of the hospitality. I have learned the importance of human contact and how to put others before myself. I find joy in myself when I make people feel at ease when they join me for one of the most important times of their day.

Your favorite cocktail: Purple Haze Martini

What cocktail recipe would you like to share and why?

The Purple Haze Martini. It has a sweet raspberry vibe, with a twist of lemon. Vibrant in color, Just like my personality. 

Cocktail Recipe: Purple Haze Martini 

In a shaker, add ice along with

4 parts Absolut Raspberry Vodka,

1 part Chambord Raspberry Liqueur, a splash of pineapple juice, and a splash of Lemon & Lime juice.  Shake vigorously. Strain mixture into a chilled sugar-rimmed martini glass and garnish with a lemon slice.

Name: Leighton Hughes

Restaurant: The Refuge Steakhouse & Bourbon Bar

Photo Credit: Autumn Zientek

How long have you been a bartender/server and what drew you to it:

I have been bartending for 9yrs. While waiting tables, I saw the interaction Bartenders got to have with their patrons, and endless possibilities to be creative, whether it was what you were making and or how you were making it. That’s what drew me in.

Your Favorite Cocktail:  High Proof Old Fashioned

What cocktail recipe would you like to share and why? The La Vacunda. I feel this cocktail represents my style and backs my understanding of spirits and how they interact with each other.

Cocktail Recipe: La Vacunda

1.25 Tanqueray No. 10 Gin

.75 Mezcal

.25 Maraschino