Mixology Spirit: Peterson Souza
We first met Peterson Souza at a cocktail competition in the summer of 2024, where he stood out among a talented field of bartenders and took first place with an incredible Espresso Martini featuring our Vanilla Bourbon. In this interview, Peterson once again reaches for Litchfield Distillery Vanilla Bourbon as the star of his “Spiced Vanilla Mule.” We were thrilled to finally sit down with him for Mixology Spirit and took a short drive south to Danbury, CT, to visit him at Craft Kitchen + Bar, where he shared insights into his experience and approach to the craft.
Batchers: Welcome to Mixology Spirit, Peterson. Please introduce yourself to our audience.
Peterson: Thank you! My name is Peterson Souza and I am the Bar Manager at CRAFT Kitchen + Bar in Danbury, CT. I help rotate the beer menu, create cocktail specials, and make any changes to the current menu, when necessary. In addition, I also just helped create the cocktail program for our owner’s new establishment, Brookfield Social.
Batchers: For those not familiar with the Craft Kitchen + Bar, please tell our audience a little bit about what they can expect when they come for a visit.
Peterson: At Craft Kitchen, we focus on consistency and experience. No matter what day of the week you dine at Craft, you will enjoy the same level of quality and service. Our menu has something for everyone, while also showcasing some elevated dishes. I recommend you sit down at the bar with one of our great bartenders and they will help guide you through the experience.
Batchers: How long have you been working in the business? What do you love most about the craft?
Peterson: I have been in the industry for about six years now, bartending for four of those years. I love getting to make a customer happy by simply making them a great cocktail and creating a great experience for them. If my customers leave happier than they were when they arrived, I believe I have succeeded at my job.
Batchers: We first met you at a cocktail competition last year, which you won. It sounds like you’ve done quite well in other competitions as well. Why do you think your cocktails tend to rise to the top at these events?
Peterson: I truly enjoy competing in competitions because it shows a different side of creativity and bar personality that sometimes doesn’t come across during regular service. In most competitions, bartenders have only 6-8 minutes to make four drinks, which provides a lot of time to be creative and complex. One thing I try to focus on is having a specific purpose, or reason, as to why I’m making a particular cocktail. That way, there’s a story imbedded in the drink, linked to why I chose certain ingredients and flavors.
Batchers: What is the one piece of advice you wish you received when you first started out behind the bar?
Peterson: I wish I had someone tell me to focus on the technical side of bartending rather than trying to be the best or fastest bartender. Focus on perfecting the small things first then worry about the larger scale. The best bartenders can make you a great drink without being too flashy or creative.
Batchers: What tips do you have for home bartenders who want to take their drinks from good to great?
Peterson: I recommend folks be precise and measure everything. As much as you can, try to use fresh ingredients such as juices, syrups, and purees. Some of the juices you find in the grocery store aren’t exactly ideal — fresh juice is a simple way to elevate your cocktails. Focus on the quality of the ingredients and how they balance each other. The best cocktails will have multiple layers of flavor and great consistency. When it comes to balance, focus on tweaking your recipe one ingredient at a time until you find the perfect ratio of ingredients.
Batchers: Got a good story about a really hard night behind the bar?
Peterson: Last year on Mothers Day, it was a really hectic day at Craft. There was a constant stream of customers throughout the day. All I could do to keep up was to keep my head down and make drinks nonstop until we closed. When you’re behind the bar on days like these, it really pushes you and tests your resilience. But, they are fun and they show what you are capable of along with things you need to work on to become a better bartender. There is always room for improvement and sometimes you need to be thrown into the fire to recognize that.
Batchers: When you’re not working at Craft, what other interests do you like to pursue?
Peterson: Outside of Craft, I spend the majority of my time with my girlfriend. We enjoy going out to eat and trying new places. Other than that, I love to play golf; I’m a member at Silo Point Country Club in Southbury.
Batchers: What is your favorite Litchfield Distillery spirit to build cocktails with (and why)?
Peterson: I really enjoy your Vanilla Bourbon. The flavor is very good on its own and it is very versatile for building cocktails. I find the vanilla flavor to be bold, yet not too sweet, which is critical for balance. Many vanilla-flavored spirits can be overly sweet, but your Vanilla Bourbon is not.
Batchers: What does The Spirit of Hard Work® mean to you?
Peterson: The Spirit of Hard Work means always holding yourself to a higher standard than others and being a reliable, trusted employee.
Peterson’s featured cocktail is a “Spiced Vanilla Mule.” About the only thing it has in common with a Moscow Mule is the ginger beer and copper cup! This “mule” features our Vanilla Bourbon, Allspice Dram, and fresh lemon juice. We’re big fans of Allspice dram, which is known for its warm, spicy notes of clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. It pairs beautifully with our smooth, slightly sweet Vanilla Bourbon. When topped off with Badger Ginger Beer (a CT brand), you wind up with a wonderfully balanced drink with so many delicious flavors to savor.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Litchfield Distillery Vanilla Bourbon
- 0.50 oz Allspice Dram
- 0.75 oz Cinnamon Syrup*
- 1.0 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- Top with Badger Ginger Beer
- Garnish: Lemon Wedge & Cinnamon Stick
Method: Add Vanilla Bourbon, Allspice Dram, cinnamon syrup and lemon juice to shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into mule cup filled with ice and top off with ginger beer. Garnish with lemon and cinnamon stick.
* Cinnamon Syrup: Boil two cups of water and two cups of sugar with 6 cinnamon sticks. Once boiling starts, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Let sit until cool, then strain out cinnamon sticks. Keep unused portion refrigerated.
To learn more about Craft Kitchen & Bar, visit their website and connect with them on Facebook or Instagram. They are located at 93 Mill Plain Road in Danbury, CT. To contact or make a reservation, please call (475)-237-4242.
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About Mixology Spirit:
Mixology Spirit is a Litchfield Distillery blog series dedicated to sharing the stories of creative and passionate mixologists who embody The Spirit Of Hard Work®. Think you got what it takes to be featured? Drop us a line at info@litchfielddistillery.com.
©2025 Litchfield Distillery. Photography & Editing Credits: Tony Vengrove
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