Maria Paula Molano, Bartender

MÉXICO CITY

“Anyone can stand behind the bar, but only a few can raise it.”

Behind the amicable and avid conversationalist with the cool forearm tattoos, there’s a bartender who loves her craft and considers her roots a mine for inspiration: “I’m very patriotic. My Mexican heritage is what inspires my creations. I honestly believe looking back is the key to moving things forward. Not just in cocktail making, but also culturally and in society. You can see it everywhere you go. New styles and creators are popping up all over the place. It’s something you’ve never seen before, but at the same time you can tell it was inspired by something from the past—by something that stays with those makers—an image, a smell, a memory. Taking a tradition and making it your own is the best legacy you can leave for future generations.”