ARMANDO ROSARIO

Born in Mozambique, East Africa, Armando Rosario graduated from Hotel Training School in Algarve, Portugal. Has spent over 30 years of his life passionately pursuing the art of the crafted cocktail. Only by traveling across the globe, relentlessly seeking education and mastery did he earn the designation Master Mixologist. His “Make It Fresh and Keep It Simple” philosophy has been torture tested by winning cocktail competitions the world over, as well as, developing cocktails in the beverage programs of Le Cirque 2000 in New York, and the mega casino resorts of Las Vegas, Nevada.  Armando’s expertise has been highlighted extensively with features in national publications such as, The Wall Street Journal, The Tasting Panel and Cheers, who named him “The Best Bartender in America” in 2009. Making his home in Orlando, Florida as Director of Mixology for Southern Glazer’s  Wine & Spirits, the largest wholesaler of wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks in the world, Armando’s mantra now drives much of the powerhouse beverage programs at Disneyworld & Disneyland Parks, Universal Studios Orlando, Hard Rock Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, and Bahama Breeze to only name a few. In addition to accreditations in by Wine & Spirits Education Trust of London, USBG Master Mixologist Accreditation level, CSS Certified by Society of Wine Educators, The Rum University 5 Day Rum Course, Tequila Certified by C.R.T, Armando is the holder of a Cachaça Specialist Certification and Mestre Cachacier by Cana Brasil Institute .Recently inducted into “Bartenders Wall of Fame”.  Armando took Keep It Fresh to a broader audience and added author to his list when he and fellow Master Mixologist and bar expert, Livio Lauro, co-wrote “The Twelve Cocktails”. This is a completely new, simple and expandable cocktail training system which teaches the 12 essential cocktails you need to know to please any palate and how these 12 cocktails can easily evolve into many more classics with simple and sensible variations of a few ingredients. Find out more here www.twelvecocktails.com