Jonny Raglin has been tending and managing bars around the world for the past 10 years. From humble beginnings in Oklahoma to pulling pints in Ireland to tip-top institutions in San Francisco, Jonny has always strove for a sensible professionalism as regards the craft of creating cocktails and maintaining the utmost hospitality. With an open mind and many great mentors, he has attained a degree of respect within the bartending community and vast publications that sing the praises of his knowledge and creativity.

About Proper Potion

Jonny has begun consulting for bars as a way of fulfilling his dream to restore a level of craftsmanship to the profession. Many moons ago, bartending was serious business and a difficult job to attain. Bartenders learned to make quality ingredients from scratch and master techniques for building tried and true libations through a series of mentorships that could last a number of years! It is in the spirit of that open-minded pride and dedication that Jonny hopes to transform bar programs from the flavored vodka cocktail of the month to a respect and knowledge of the classic art of bartending.

About Jonny's Experience

Born and raised in small town Oklahoma, Jonny moved to San Francisco and was lucky enough to land a job at one of the great restaurant bars in America, Stars, and train under head bartender Daniel McCracken. Dan taught Jonny a “different” way of making cocktails, using only fresh squeezed juices, Jonny re-learned many cocktails he previously made with store bought mixes as well as reading up on the (then) mind-boggling numerous spirits Jonny had never been exposed to as ingredients.

Following Stars and a short stint at acclaimed Catalan bistro B-44, Jonny broadened his wine knowledge at Italian food and wine hot spot Incanto. His relationships with the talented kitchen headed by “Guts Geek” Chris Cosentino proved as valuable as the wine knowledge he attained. Local, sustainably grown produce was the mantra of Incanto. Chris taught Jonny that farmer’s markets held vast opportunities for the development of cocktails.

With his vision in hand, Jonny left Incanto for San Francisco institution Absinthe Brasserie & Bar. Working closely with cocktail history buff and crazy ingredient freak Jeff Hollinger, his craft began to truly take form. Ideas became more firmly rooted, and Absinthe proved to be the perfect playground for trial and error creativity since the bar was continually filled with bold and savvy guests.

Jonny developed a Bar School program at Absinthe that aims to empower guest as to the nature of spirits and how they relate to cocktails. Jonny was also responsible for initiating a “happy hour” priced flight night that enables guests to sample a series of spirits without breaking the bank. The accomplished and acclaimed cocktail book ‘The Art of the Bar’ by Jeff Hollinger and Rob Schwartz pays homage to Jonny’s devotion to Absinthe’s prestigious bar program.

About Jonny's Family

Jonny's wife Sara Spearin is an accomplished pastry chef that is a continual inspiration and catalyst for creativity. Their child Henry is the apple of his eye.