Explore our Journal, featuring engaging blog posts, recipes, interviews, and more.
Celebrating the Barmanka of Slovakia
With such a warm community, the number of women bartenders of Slovakia is growing.
Valentino Girotto: Don’t be afraid of failing - have fun!
Valentino Girotto, co-author of the book Bubbles: A Guide to Carbonated Cocktails, shares with us what fascinates him about carbonation, the hardest aspect of writing a book about it, common mistakes he sees, and how to get started carbonating.
Save the date: Mirror Hospitality Expo ‘25
Sharing knowledge of and passion for hospitality and cocktails in a luxurious and intimate setting.
Officially launched and sold out the day after
A champagne book baptism, exhibitions, and guest shifts by internationally-acclaimed Slovak bartenders made the launch of The Cocktail Balance 2.0 a night to remember.
World Class Slovakia launch 2025
With seminars, eye-catching light art, and of course delicious cocktails, World Class kicked off the 2025 competition season for bartenders in Slovakia.
Katarína Nékiová: the responsiblity of prep
We’re delving into the making of The Cocktail Balance 2.0, revealing the secrets, struggles, and attention to details that go into making a book. Now get a peak behind the scenes with Katarína Nékiová in all the prep required to get the recipes in the book.
Adrián Chrzan: not random but a complex creative process
We’re delving into the making of The Cocktail Balance 2.0, revealing the secrets, struggles, and attention to details that go into making a book. Now get a peak behind the scenes with the stunning photography from Adrián Chrzan.
Dávid Tlčimuka: designing demanding content into an attractive experience
We’re delving into the making of The Cocktail Balance 2.0, now with Dávid Tlčimuka revealing those design decisions that influence the reader experience.
Caribbean “Bocha” with roasted rose branch tea
Winter is the best season for foraging wild rose branches for tea.
2.0 Book Launch
With 11 internationally-acclaimed Slovak bartenders featured in the 2.0 book attending, it’s going to be an event of significance for the country’s bar industry.
Reflections and plans, 2025
Highlights of 2024 at The Cocktail Balance and plans for the year of 2025 ahead.
World Class Competition Slovakia: New year brings new challenges
January not only marks the beginning of a new year, but also a new start of the World Class Competition in Slovakia. A new format provides competitors with a much more active and experiential journey this year!
Carbonation on the go
With the mini version of the carbonation rig, you can now carbonate drinks in small spaces and on the go.
Gift guide for 5 types of bartenders
Not sure what to get the bartender in your life? Here is a gift guide for five different kind of bartenders. (We won’t tell if you get them for yourself.)
Whisky & Air
With roasted pumpkin seed & cinnamon syrup, edible pumpkin air, and Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky, the Whisky & Air cocktail is a cosy cocktail for the cooler months.
The Advanced Guide for the Modern Bartender: The Cocktail Balance 2.0
The gorgeous handbook to bartending, from art to science,
from cocktail craft to hospitality, is now available!
Journey to Shanghai: Michal Dojčák at World Class 2024
Michal Dojčák took part in the prestigious World Class 2024 competition, held this year in Shanghai. Find out what is World Class, his favourite part of it, and his tips for future competitors.
Eva Polgary: Seeing people happy using my glassware makes me happy
Eva Polgary is one of the two designers who designed the bespoke glasses in The Cocktail Balance 2.0. We talked to her about how she got into glassmaking, the process of making glassware, and the final product.