Rob Floyd is undoubtedly the premier mixologist on this planet. However he has additionally constructed a beverage-entertainment firm that encompasses world partnerships, reside occasions, a presence on social media, TV, a e-book on Amazon, cruise ship occasions, and extra. We interviewed Rob to see how his entrepreneurial journey began and the way it has grown.
How did you begin your profession as a mixologist?
All of it started considerably by accident. I obtained into the bar enterprise, as so many do, after I merely wanted a job and located myself behind a bar. However in a short time it grew to become clear that what I used to be doing wasn’t simply serving drinks, it was creating experiences. I completely love making individuals joyful, and the interplay each evening appears like something can occur. One examine says individuals giggle and smile about 17 instances a day. In a really nice bar, you may get 17 smiles an hour.
As I refined my model, I embraced the concept the cocktail isn’t only a drink, it’s a narrative, a second, a manufacturing. In time, I based Rob Floyd Leisure (RFE) to execute that imaginative and prescient: a worldwide mixology follow specializing in reside and digital occasions, consulting, and coaching.
From that basis, I started designing packages, coaching workers in over 75 international locations, acting at main award exhibits, and constructing out the enterprise aspect, not simply the bar aspect. The journey from bartender to CEO of a beverage-entertainment firm was actually about seeing the intersection of hospitality, leisure, and model expertise.
Your organization places on “Cocktail Theatre” — what’s that?
Cocktail Theatre is our signature live-event format, basically the place leisure meets distinctive cocktail craftsmanship. We have now been taking “Cocktail Theatre” out into the world since 2012.
The thought is that you just don’t simply have a bartender on the again mixing, you could have a present; you could have a theme; you could have a story; and you’ve got beverage artistry, aptitude, and theatrics. Whether or not it is a Tremendous Bowl shopper, a company occasion, or a lavish personal dwelling, the viewers is drawn into the story behind the drink.
The enterprise logic behind it’s that manufacturers and occasions more and more demand immersive, memorable moments—so we created a high-end, scalable service that marries mixology with efficiency, branded for the shopper. The script for the occasion may be custom-tailored and work nice at firm off-sites, vacation events, and govt occasions.
What do your reside cocktail events embody?
At RFE we provide “Reside Cocktail Events” as certainly one of our occasion service classes. These embrace all the things from intimate gatherings to full-on manufacturing occasions, with a crew of world-class mixologists creating handcrafted cocktails and guiding friends.
Company don’t simply drink—they take part, study, and luxuriate in. We would design a signature drink; stroll contributors via the method; present cocktail-making lessons on website; and add team-building layers for company teams. I really like the team-building occasions as a result of they’re so enjoyable and energetic, but additionally have an interactive “High Chef” side.
From an operational perspective, our mission is to raise the artwork of cocktail making, offering unforgettable experiences and skilled coaching for lovers and professionals alike.
So while you have interaction us for a reside cocktail social gathering, you’re partaking not only a bartender however a curated mixology expertise: planning, design, execution, and after-event assist if wanted.
You additionally present personalized workers coaching for bar professionals and menu creation. Inform us about that.
Consulting is a significant pillar of the enterprise. We assist bars, motels, and types with workers coaching, menu creation, bar operations consulting, and drink menu design. For instance, our barmenu creation service offers you progressive menus, optimized choices, and helps you keep forward of tendencies.
In workers coaching, we’ve got a trademarked instructing program used globally—we’ve got skilled over 8000 bar professionals worldwide.
Operationally, we seek the advice of on bar effectivity, profitability, menu logic, bartender efficiency, and model alignment of the beverage program.
So from a enterprise perspective it is about turning the artwork of mixology right into a scalable asset for hospitality venues, which suggests programs, coaching, model pondering, and revenue metrics—not simply the “cool cocktail” half.
What are your digital cocktail occasions?
With the rise of hybrid work, distant groups, and world audiences, digital occasions grew to become a significant extension of our enterprise. We host digital mixology lessons, digital cocktail-making classes, and digital crew constructing for distant teams.
We’re arrange with a state-of-the-art studio, skilled director on set, main digital cameras, and excessive manufacturing worth. Our viewer retention fee for these occasions is 89%, nicely above trade customary.
From an entrepreneurship lens, digital occasions flip what was once location-bound into scalable, world choices. For manufacturers, it means you’ll be able to have interaction far-flung staff, shoppers or communities with the identical RFE expertise just about. I view it because the logical subsequent evolution of our live-event enterprise.
You additionally do cruise ship occasions in partnership with Princess Cruises. What does that entail?
That partnership is an actual spotlight. We’re the worldwide mixology companion for Princess Cruises throughout their fleet. I’ve labored with their International Meals & Beverage VP, Sami Kohen, for a few years, and he is likely one of the greatest within the enterprise, all the time striving to supply one of the best buyer experiences around the globe.
What this implies is that we design and execute beverage-entertainment packages onboard, throughout a number of ships, integrating with their guest-experience mannequin. In impact, we carry our model and Cocktail Theatre setting into the cruise-ship hospitality world. From an entrepreneurial standpoint, it is a high-leverage contract: quantity, scale, recurring bookings, world attain.
So it’s not simply occasions. It’s publishing, licensing, model extension; it’s taking the mixology enterprise into a number of product strains.
What’s the e-book you simply revealed on Amazon?
The title is “Sip at Sea: A Princess Cruises Cocktail Assortment.” It was created in partnership with Princess Cruises and is now out there on Amazon and throughout all 17 ships of their fleet.
What makes it fascinating is that it’s interactive: full-color photographs, step-by-step recipes, backstories, and QR codes that hyperlink to “how-to” video tutorials that includes me.
The e-book additionally options some celebrities shaking up cocktails with me. There’s a video of Matthew and Camila McConaughey mixing up a margarita. You possibly can style and look at cocktails with Jason Momoa and Liev Schreiber. It’s actually a lot enjoyable, and there isn’t one other e-book prefer it on the market.
Man Fieri and José Andrés, award-winning cooks and stars, have labored with you. What do they are saying?
It has been so outstanding, and I’m so grateful. The suggestions from trade luminaries helps validate what we do. For instance, José Andrés, the James Beard-award-winning chef and humanitarian, stated: “Rob Floyd is the Delta Power of bar coaching. We opened up The Bazaar and SLS Motels to nice success, together with a James Beard nomination. He’s a pleasure to work with in all facets of culinary and hospitality. Rob’s requirements are like no different!”
And Man Fieri, Emmy Award winner and Meals Community star, has stated: “Rob is a superb mixologist and one hell of an entertainer and performer. It’s unimaginable to see the cocktails he comes up with, all the time scrumptious and enjoyable to make. His packages are actually distinctive and certainly one of a form. Working collectively is all the time a blast.”
These endorsements do greater than flatter; they reinforce our model fairness, enabling entry to high-end shoppers, superstar occasions, and strategic partnerships.
Inform us about your tv profession.
My tv profession has been a big acceleration for the model. I’ve served as a resident mixologist and contributor on the TV present Bar Rescue for over 10 years.
On TV, I don’t simply combine drinks. I’m a part of telling the hospitality story, operational turnarounds, workers coaching, and bar service excellence. These tie instantly into what we stand for.
John Taffer, the star/host of Bar Rescue, has been spectacular to work with and study from.
I’ve additionally been lucky sufficient to look recurrently on The Right now Present, Entry Hollywood, The Kelly Clarkson Present, Fox & Mates, and different media.
From a enterprise viewpoint, this type of media presence elevates my private model, which elevates the company model, which permits premium collaborations, licensing, and product strains.
How did you change into generally known as the “Movie star Mixologist?”
I feel it got here from my partnerships with a number of the most unimaginable abilities around the globe. From Matthew and Camila McConaughey, artist Romero Britto, Jon Bon Jovi, Liev Schreiber, Jason Momoa, and others. I’ve been blessed to work with some unimaginable individuals.
Specifically, I lately labored with Cardi B on a brand new vodka-infused whipped cream referred to as Whipshots. It is designed to show up the amount in your cocktails, desserts, and late-night cravings!
What’s certainly one of your signature cocktails?
My e-book “Sip at Sea: A Princess Cruises Cocktail Assortment” has near 300 pages of descriptions and recipes. Right here is certainly one of my favourite ones:
Sandia En Fuego:
Sandia En Fuego is a tribute to juicy watermelon and a kick of spice. In Yucatan, individuals love munching on watermelon to beat the warmth, and right here, spices are added to spice up these feel-good hormones activated by the contact of warmth. Get pleasure from this pleasant drink with the magic of volcano salt, candy watermelon, and top-notch tequila sprinkled with pepper.
Substances:
1.5 oz Don Julio Reposado Tequila1 Serrano Pepper5 Watermelon Cubes.75 oz Agave.75 oz Contemporary Lime JuiceGlass: 10.5 oz RocksGarnish: Rim with black volcanic salt, serrano pepper, and watermelon
Instructions:
In a cocktail shaker, muddle serrano pepper and watermelon. Add Don Julio Reposada Tequila, agave, and lime juice. Shake with ice and pressure right into a volcanic salt-rimmed glass with recent ice. Garnish with watermelon and serrano pepper.
What charitable actions have you ever been concerned in?
It has been such an honor to work with Chef José Andrés on his unimaginable World Central Kitchen Charity. I’ve additionally been concerned with the Fox Chase Middle, Scott Hamilton Cares, Simply Hold Dwelling with Matthew McConaughey, and Ladies of Right now.
How can individuals see all of what you might be doing?
We have now a full digital presence:
On Instagram: @drinkwithrob
You’ll discover quick movies, cocktail recipes, behind-the-scenes of occasions, interviews, and ongoing model content material.
Conclusion
What we see with Rob Floyd is a textbook case of turning a craft (mixology) right into a full-fledged enterprise enterprise that spans service, coaching, leisure, media, and product. The artwork of the drink meets the enterprise of expertise—and he has constructed an organization that leverages storytelling, model partnerships, and high-end occasions to scale past the bar.
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