ON MIXOLOGY: JOSHUA LEPLEY
WNW Member #5193 Joshua Lepley recently started a project on a topic dear to our hearts. The self-directed series originally started as typography exercise on Instagram which morphed into an illustration of a gin & tonic. When the likes started adding up, the Cocktail Series was born.
While we watched Josh's project evolve through his Instagram, it's clear that it's headed offline: "The project has quickly gained popularity and there are a lot of requests for posters, coasters, a coffee table book, a small bartender companion book and more. So I'm moving forward with all that I can. Trying to decide whether to launch a Kickstarter to help fund an exquisitely designed and printed cocktail book. Any publishers want to help?"
Don Draper would approve.
What was the inspiration for this project?
I'm always doing design to share on Instagram, which is an informal portfolio of sorts. I've been doing illustrations for Best Made lately and am always looking for new things to work on. The cocktail series started as more of a typography project and morphed into an illustration of a Gin & Tonic. Not quite sure how that happened but that's design for ya."
At WNW we love drawings, and drinks, and drawings of drinks. Is this a quick Instagram series or something more?
The project has quickly gained popularity and there are a lot of requests for posters, coasters, a coffee table book, a small bartender companion book and more. So I'm moving forward with all that I can. Trying to decide whether to launch a Kickstarter to help fund an exquisitely designed and printed cocktail book. Any publishers want to help?
You sound like a knowledgable mixologist. What's your favorite drink recipe of all these?
I know my way around a bar, but I'm by no means an expert. I do like a finely-crafted cocktail with top-notch ingredients. The Gin & Tonic has always been a favorite, but I'm cool with a Gimlet or a Tom Collins or... anything with Gin pretty much.
What are you favorite cocktail bars in New York that WNW members should be frequenting?
I'm pretty new to New York so I don't know many cocktail bars at this point. I've had the pleasure of visiting Employees Only which was a fantastic experience. A few places that come to mind are Cannibal, Slaughtered Lamb, Bayards, and the Olympia Wine Bar.
Anything else you'd like to add?
So far I've started with the classics or some of them anyway. I recently received a list of craft cocktails that I'll be doing a series with. I've had requests to do a gin series, a whiskey series and so on. I might need to hire a project manager....not really... yet.