In his delightful book Spirits Sugar Water Bitters: How the Cocktail Conquered the World, Derek Brown writes: “The saloon-keep, bartender, or mixologist has provided humanity with the same service that was once reserved for shamans, alchemists, and wizards – they have helped heal, transform, and dazzle us.” Derek is the renowned craft bartender behind The Columbia Room in Washington DC and, in 2015, was named Chief Spirits Advisor to the National Archives Foundation. He sat down with me virtually to talk about his evolution from bartender to spirits and cocktail expert, his pursuit of mental, physical, and spiritual health within a profession that can often divert attention away from underlying internal battles, and how we can foster a more positive and balanced relationship with alcohol in our everyday lives.