Nick Kokonas

Nick Kokonas (Kuh-CONE-iss) is an award-winning bartender and a longtime veteran of the hospitality industry. He is author of the new cocktail book Something & Tonic, which explores the fascinating history of the iconic mixer and its role in the development of modern civilization, accompanied by 60 original tonic cocktail recipes. Nick can usually be found mixing drinks behind some of the most prestigious bars in the world, or as a participant in international bartending competitions.

Over the course of his career, Nick has played an integral role in critically-acclaimed bars throughout his hometown, Chicago, Ill. In 2016, he became the beverage director for The Heritage, a new restaurant just outside the city limits. It was there he created the weekly rotating cocktail that would inspire his debut book.

In Chicago Tribune food writer Phil Vettel’s review of the restaurant he writes, "Kokonas offers a tidy list of five or six cocktails, of which the most interesting is the Something and Tonic, which changes week to week. I don't know if Kokonas can sustain this for a year, but I've managed to have three versions of this drink, and so far, so good.”

Since moving on from The Heritage, Nick has spent time running bar programs in both Chicago and Charleston, SC. His book is set to be released May 28, 2021 and will coincide with a traveling bar pop-up book tour.