The first drink I tasted from Josue was something straight from a comic strip book. I remember walking into the now-defunct The House of Machines LA, an ambitious project centered around custom bikes, live entertainment, and superior craft cocktails.
I walked into THoM, which just recently had opened an LA outpost, only to find The Garnish Guy preparing libations behind the bar, the place he was most comfortable. The tiki-inspired recipe is served in hand-cut paper-wrapped glassware. I can still taste the lambanog and spices! It immediately takes you back. It was inevitably forced to shut down amid the imposed realities of COVID-19.
A real inspiration to see so many industry’s faces together, to celebrate the lost life of another, thousands of miles away.
It was the highlight of a great night among a close group of industry professionals who were there to honor the passing of yet another member of its community.
Master of Tequila
Not too long ago, I had a chance to write about one of Garnish Guyās creations, this one for Casa Mexico – a new high-quality tequila from Oscar de La Hoya and Co. This recipe is and always will be class-act: a memorable strawberry-based margarita that is still one of my favorites to drink and make.
Now more than ever, it has become a go-to recipe for me since there are always strawberries in my house, and those typically lose some flavor. However, the juices that remain are still good to imbibe: maybe they arenāt quite right to eat but ripe enough to be transformed into a Margarita – zero waste. Itās also an easy variation that breaks the monotony of greyish lime with a touch of pink, which Iām sure we will all need more in our lives following this grayish-looking new decade weāve been mulling through.
If you met the guy, he would want us to get a move on, keep the energy flowing, and Yes, yes, yes, but yes, mas agave, por favor! He would say it while clapping his hands, almost demanding that you start moving your legs. Sound the trumpets and raise your glasses: Un o Dos Tequilas, gĆ¼ey! The much-needed spirit for warmer, happier times, for the wild, the young, the colorful, and the citrusy alike.
So to this day and now more than ever, this is precisely what I make when Iām looking for inspiration spirits on the weekend: a perfect Strawberry Margarita by one Garnish Guy that needed no introduction.
Anytime I needed creative inspiration, I called Josue. He knew exactly what to do.
The Best Drink Ever – Instagram
Beyond Tequila
Looking back, Josueās recent run as a bartender in Downtown Los Angeles validated that his talent could be extended to any spirit, without letting the patron down.
His most recent literary work for Forbes is also worth checking out and maybe the one article that gets you to buy a bottle of American Brandy – our most underserved native spirit.
What’s Next? More Action
I worry much about the bartender community and the fact that many called bars their homes until the pandemic shut them all down. It was a place where they could not only work but meet other like-minded owls that needed a place to mingle ideas late when the 9-5 community laid to rest. Behind a bar, not only you get to hide behind the conversations of your patrons, but patrons are so often looking up to the bartender to mesmerize and entertain during challenging and happiest of times.
Josue leaves behind many friends who had a lot to share about his irreverence and talent, with a common theme behind it. From this aspiring bartender: āYou will be greatly missed.ā
West Hollywood’s Cocktails By Hawk left an inspirational message in this IG, paying respects for Josue:
Casa Mexico Tequila also left a heart-warming message, expressing its deepest condolences for the incredible loss.
Perhaps the most inspiring and lively message of them all was reserved to The Best Drink Ever, a close friend of mine who put together a top 12 memories of all time featuring Josue.
LA’s Charity Johnston, beverage director at the Toca Group, shared her best times with Josue in New Orleans. She is a regular at Tales of the Cocktail, the annual celebration of the industry’s top players. Rest In Peace, Josue.
Josue’s close friend Root Bitters left a heartwarming message on his Instagram, mourning the loss of his dear friend.
The list goes on and off the on. The hashtag #LoveGarnishGuy has so many other celebrations of Josueās work worth checking out. The bartender community needs help more than ever. If there was a time to leave a slighter larger tip, it is now.
Celso Oliveira 