On this episode of "Across the Bar," we did something a little bit different. We went down to Miami to round up some of the best bartenders in the business and had them show off their skills in a black box challenge. With an ever-changing beverage industry, we wanted to get into the minds of top mixologists to see what trends they’ve been seeing and how they keep up with customer demands.

For this challenge, we were lucky enough to have Byblos host us at their beautiful lounge in Miami’s South Beach. Here, host Paul Barron connects with Steve Minor of MO Bar, Isaac Grillo of Repour Bar, and Eddie Fuentes of Cocktail Cartel Co.

So, what is the black box challenge? Well, we filled up three black boxes with three different sets of mystery ingredients and asked our bartenders to make the tastiest cocktails they could. They did not let us down! Using fruits, pure cane syrups, fresh herbs, and the best spirits, Steve, Isaac and Eddie showed us what the best mixologists do to create the perfect cocktail for their guests.

Nearly five miles south of the Hollywood sign, one can find Birch, a New American restaurant offering culinary-driven cocktails in a rustic setting. The name for this Los Angeles spot serves as a subtle homage to the hometown of its chef/owner, Brendan Collins, who grew up in Nottingham, England, near a copse of birch trees.

Running Birch’s bar program is Gaby Mlynarczyk — the beverage director with over 20 years of experience who also keeps a blog, Loving Cup, to help demystify drink making for the home bartender. In this episode of "Across the Bar," host Paul Barron has a chance to chat and learn from Mlynarczyk, a New Jersey-born and UK-raised fashion-student-accidentally-turned-bartender extraordinaire.

From the cool weather and cultural centers of Toronto to the sunny beaches and saucy swagger of Miami, we traveled to many different cities this year on "Across the Bar," but one thing remained the same: No matter where you go, you can always find a crisp, classic, and creative cocktail to sip on.

Whether they were cocktails that made us pucker up with the refreshing, bitter bite of Aperol and grapefruit, or made us savor the sweet succulence of caramel and berries, there's no doubt that these beverages and bars are the best in the business. But which were the best of the best?

Raise your glasses and say cheers to Foodable's Best Cocktails of 2016!

In Miami’s already world-renowned, artsy neighborhood of Wynwood, one can find Beaker & Gray, an 110-seat eatery located at the popular avenue of North Miami, which serves thoughtfully crafted cocktails using high-quality spirits.

In this episode of "Across The Bar," host Paul Barron has a chance to chat and learn from the man at the helm, manager Ben Potts, an investment banker turned bartender. After getting tired of his office job where he barely had the chance to interact with people, even going as far as calling it a “miserable lifestyle,” he decided he wanted to live a life more than long hours crunching numbers.

After reconnecting with his childhood friend and now business partner, Executive Chef Brian Nasajon, together they opened and own Beaker & Gray, which soft opened around this time last year before Art Basel 2015 began.

Potts got his start at Purdy Lounge in Miami Beach about eight years ago. Then he spent some time working at Blackbird Ordinary in Brickell (downtown Miami) and The Broken Shaker at Freehand Miami in Miami Beach.

Bar Manager at a.bar, Dan Hamm, landed his first job as a bartender at a craft cocktail bar. He found that bartending was a great mix of his loves: cooking, drinking, and DIY. Behind the bar, he was able to experiment with tastes and flavors while still being able to interact with guests and get immediate feedback on his work.

a.bar is a sleek, contemporary restaurant that lives in the AKA hotel in Rittenhouse Square, right in the heart of Center City. With great views and delicious bites, a.bar has been a great place for Hamm to craft delicious cocktails as part of the Philadelphia bar scene.

In this episode of “Across the Bar,” host Paul Barron learns how bartender Dan Hamm creates his award-winning cocktails, a lesson that is put to the test.

The Husk Bar is found downstairs in what used to be the master bedroom of a historic 1800s home in Rutledge Hill. Upstairs you will find the James Beard Award-winning restaurant, Husk Restaurant. The bar has an attached patio, and right outside, you will find an atrium providing something more than just a garden view. In the atrium lives the Husk’s herb garden, where bartender Mike Wolf picks herbs and garnishes at season’s peak, often inspiring new cocktail recipes.

In this episode of “Across the Bar,” Paul Barron travels to downtown Nashville to see what they’re stirring up at the Husk Bar.

In New Orleans, there is a concoction that has stood the test of time. It is said to be the first-ever American cocktail — although no one can say for sure where the word “cocktail” derived from with certainty or historical proof, for that matter. It is called the Sazerac.

This drink is actually the official cocktail of the Crescent City since 2008, after the Louisiana House of Representatives made a historic decision in a 62-33 vote to declare the Sazerac Cocktail the New Orleans’ official drink of choice.

In this episode of “Across the Bar,” host Paul Barron set out to learn the history about the evolution of ingredients behind this famous drink from some of New Orleans’ best cocktail historians: Elizabeth Pearce, Kevin Richards, and Russ Bergeron. And what better place to go on this historical journey than at the The Sazerac Bar inside The Roosevelt Hotel?

Watch the episode to learn more!

In this episode of “Across the Bar,” Foodable travels to the corner of Canal and Bourbon street to visit French 75. Perhaps one wouldn't expect a 1920s French-themed bar to do so well in modern-day times, but this classic concept is more than just a New Orleans icon. Arnaud's French Bar 75 has been named a James Beard finalist in the "Outstanding Bar Program" category for two years in a row, and head bartender Chris Hannah was even nominated for the 2016 Tales of the Cocktail "Bartender of the Year." 

Cocktail No. 1: French 75

Recipe:

• Courvoisier VS
• Sugar
• Lemon juice
• Moet and Chandon Champagne

Cocktail No. 2: Night Tripper

Recipe:

• Bourbon
• Amaro
• Strega liqueur
• Peychaud’s Bitters
• Orange Peel

Cocktail No. 3: Bastille Cup

Recipe:

• Pineau des Charentes
• Maraschino
• Watermelon water
• Lime 

Watch the full episode now!

Mixology lovers often believe crafting the perfect cocktail is an art, but this Boston concept takes that idea to a whole new level. Liquid Art House is not only an innovative restaurant — it's a fully-functioning art gallery. From the pieces adorning the walls to the furniture, down to the glassware and plates, everything is for sale. 

"We have a curator that comes in and they rotate about every two to three months, so like a typical art gallery would," bartender Matt Noonan explained, the various styles of the art pieces, whether graffiti or classical, almost dynamic as LAH's menu.

In this episode of “Across the Bar,” we take a seat with Noonan and get a closer sip behind the brand through three signature drinks.  

Resonating with the restaurant's artistic theme, there is a drink in the lineup called the "Blank Canvas." It always changes, as bartenders put creative cocktail concoctions together and pitch them to customers. When those same drink choices become a popular crowd order, that's when they know they're worthy of adding into LAH's impressive portfolio of beverages. 

Want to learn more about how Liquid Art House brings art to life through their beverage menu? Watch the full episode now.

Bar Raval, a staple in Toronto’s culinary & beverage scene

“To make the best use out of the space, we wanted to pack people

Bar Raval offers both pinchos, which are Spanish snacks, and

In this episode of “Across the Bar,”