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Misty Kalkofen
World's 50 Best Bars
- Discipline
- Other
i. Biography
At Drink in Boston, the work sits in the clear, herbal register of agave spirits and mezcal, where smoke, mineral note, and bright acidity can reset a glass. Misty Kalkofen has long worked in that lane with a balance of precision and instinct. She first stepped behind the bar while studying theology at Harvard Divinity School, then carried that discipline through Green Street, the B-Side, and the Lizard Lounge, building a path that moves with uncommon purpose from study to service.
The Climb
Harvard Divinity School gave Misty Kalkofen a framework that reads in the bar as attention, memory, and restraint. The bar was not treated as a sidestep but as craft work, one that asks for a steady hand and a clean read of flavor. That sensibility became central to her standing in Boston’s cocktail world. As bar founder of Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails (Boston chapter) and bartender of Drink, Misty Kalkofen holds two roles that connect preservation with nightly practice: one protecting a broader cocktail culture, the other expressed in the glass.
Today
At Drink in Boston, agave spirits and mezcal sit at the center of Misty Kalkofen’s work, spirits that reward close handling and a palate tuned to smoke, citrus, and earth. The approach is grounded without being spare, with attention to texture, aroma, and the way flavor opens across the palate. That same directness shows up in her own words, which are plainspoken and specific: "Strawberries are always among the first fresh berries of the season, and it's great to see the bright color after a winter of drab. I usually muddle or puree them—a strawberry batida is delicious and refreshing on a warm day."
Signature
Misty's signature dishes include Per Simon. The listing sits a little unexpectedly, which fits a bartender whose work has often been defined by nuance and detail rather than showiness; the name lands like a note on a composed drink menu, concise and memorable.
In Their Words “Strawberries are always among the first fresh berries of the season, and it's great to see the bright color after a winter of drab. I usually muddle or puree them—a strawberry batida is delicious and refreshing on a warm day.”
Recognition
Drink and a specialty in agave spirits and mezcal define Misty Kalkofen’s profile. Together, they mark a career that keeps one foot in service and the other in a disciplined, exacting approach to flavor. Through Green Street, the B-Side, the Lizard Lounge, and now Drink, agave spirits and mezcal remain the through line, carrying Misty Kalkofen’s name forward with clarity and a palate trained to notice what others might miss.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Misty
Where did Misty Kalkofen train or study?
Misty Kalkofen trained at Harvard Divinity School.
What is Misty Kalkofen known for?
agave spirits.
