Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr. Lyan) Breaking the Rules of Bartending
02/04/25 • 64 min
This week, Damian sits down with one of the most innovative minds in the cocktail industry, Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka Mr. Lyan). Renowned for challenging conventions and pioneering some of the world’s most groundbreaking cocktail bars, Ryan takes us on a deep dive into his journey from chef to bartender, the philosophy behind his award-winning bars, and his approach to sustainability, flavor, and creativity.
From ripping up the rulebook with White Lyan (the first cocktail bar to remove ice, citrus, and perishables) to his new Irish whiskey project, Fierfield, Ryan shares his insights on how bartenders can break boundaries and make drinks that truly connect with people.
What We Cover in This Episode
🍸 Ryan’s Journey – How he transitioned from the kitchen to the bar and what drew him to cocktails.
🔥 White Lyan & Challenging Cocktail Traditions – The radical concept behind White Lyan and why it became a game-changer.
🌍 Sustainability in Bars – Why sustainability is more than just cutting food waste and how bars can make a real impact.
🏆 Winning ‘World’s Best Bar’ (Three Times!) – What it takes to lead an award-winning bar and how the industry has evolved.
🥃 Firefield – A New Take on Irish Whiskey – How Ryan is rethinking whiskey by blending tradition with innovative infusions.
📖 Masterclass & Making Cocktails More Accessible – His experience teaching cocktail creation and making mixology easy for everyone.
🍵 Underrated & Overrated Cocktail Ingredients – Why tea is a must-have and why fresh strawberries might be overrated.
🚀 Advice for Bartenders & Hospitality Pros – Finding your unique path in the industry and embracing your passions.
Key Takeaways
✔️ The best cocktail bars challenge conventions while staying rooted in hospitality.
✔️ Sustainability is about more than just food waste—it’s about industry-wide change.
✔️ Cocktails should be fun, engaging, and made for everyone, not just the elite.
✔️ The best bartenders understand flavors, storytelling, and human connection.
Guest Links & Recommendations
🔗 Follow Ryan Chetiyawardana – @MrLyan
🔗 Explore Ryan’s Bars & Projects – Mr. Lyan Website
📖 Ryan’s Books – Good Things to Drink & Good Things to Mix
📺 Masterclass – Watch Ryan’s cocktail course alongside Lynette Marrero
🥃 Firefield Whiskey – Ryan’s latest Irish whiskey project with JJ Corry
📚 Book Recommendations: The Bartender’s Manual (Jim Meehan), Flavorama (Dr. Arielle Johnson)
#CocktailAcademy #RyanChetiyawardana #MrLyan #CocktailPodcast #Mixology #BartenderLife #SustainableCocktails #WhiskeyInnovation
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Damian sits down with one of the most innovative minds in the cocktail industry, Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka Mr. Lyan). Renowned for challenging conventions and pioneering some of the world’s most groundbreaking cocktail bars, Ryan takes us on a deep dive into his journey from chef to bartender, the philosophy behind his award-winning bars, and his approach to sustainability, flavor, and creativity.
From ripping up the rulebook with White Lyan (the first cocktail bar to remove ice, citrus, and perishables) to his new Irish whiskey project, Fierfield, Ryan shares his insights on how bartenders can break boundaries and make drinks that truly connect with people.
What We Cover in This Episode
🍸 Ryan’s Journey – How he transitioned from the kitchen to the bar and what drew him to cocktails.
🔥 White Lyan & Challenging Cocktail Traditions – The radical concept behind White Lyan and why it became a game-changer.
🌍 Sustainability in Bars – Why sustainability is more than just cutting food waste and how bars can make a real impact.
🏆 Winning ‘World’s Best Bar’ (Three Times!) – What it takes to lead an award-winning bar and how the industry has evolved.
🥃 Firefield – A New Take on Irish Whiskey – How Ryan is rethinking whiskey by blending tradition with innovative infusions.
📖 Masterclass & Making Cocktails More Accessible – His experience teaching cocktail creation and making mixology easy for everyone.
🍵 Underrated & Overrated Cocktail Ingredients – Why tea is a must-have and why fresh strawberries might be overrated.
🚀 Advice for Bartenders & Hospitality Pros – Finding your unique path in the industry and embracing your passions.
Key Takeaways
✔️ The best cocktail bars challenge conventions while staying rooted in hospitality.
✔️ Sustainability is about more than just food waste—it’s about industry-wide change.
✔️ Cocktails should be fun, engaging, and made for everyone, not just the elite.
✔️ The best bartenders understand flavors, storytelling, and human connection.
Guest Links & Recommendations
🔗 Follow Ryan Chetiyawardana – @MrLyan
🔗 Explore Ryan’s Bars & Projects – Mr. Lyan Website
📖 Ryan’s Books – Good Things to Drink & Good Things to Mix
📺 Masterclass – Watch Ryan’s cocktail course alongside Lynette Marrero
🥃 Firefield Whiskey – Ryan’s latest Irish whiskey project with JJ Corry
📚 Book Recommendations: The Bartender’s Manual (Jim Meehan), Flavorama (Dr. Arielle Johnson)
#CocktailAcademy #RyanChetiyawardana #MrLyan #CocktailPodcast #Mixology #BartenderLife #SustainableCocktails #WhiskeyInnovation
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode
Essential Cocktail Books You Need in Your Library
Welcome back to another exciting episode of the Cocktail Academy Podcast! This week, Damian dives into a topic near and dear to his heart: cocktail books. From gateway guides to advanced manuals, Damian shares some of his favorite reads that have shaped his bartending journey and helped him perfect his craft. Whether you're a home enthusiast, aspiring bartender, or industry pro, this episode has a book recommendation for everyone.
What to Expect🔖 Why Cocktail Books Matter – Damian’s personal journey with cocktail literature and how it shaped his career.
📚 Essential Reads for Every Level – Recommendations for beginners, seasoned pros, and cocktail history buffs alike.
🛠️ Techniques & Tips – Highlighting books that focus on technique, flavor balancing, and even ice mastery.
💡 For the Cocktail Nerds – Discover the science behind cocktails and how to push boundaries with innovative ideas.
🎉 Personal Favorites – Damian’s all-time favorite cocktail book and the stories behind why it resonates.
Featured Books- The Craft of the Cocktail by Dale DeGroff – Damian’s gateway cocktail book. Perfect for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
- The Bar Book by Jeffrey Morgenthaler – A must-have for mastering technique and efficiency.
- Imbibe! by David Wondrich – The definitive history of cocktails through the lens of Jerry Thomas.
- The Bartender’s Manifesto by Toby Maloney – Elevate your creativity and design cocktails with intention.
- Liquid Intelligence by Dave Arnold – A deep dive into the science and innovation behind great cocktails.
- The Ice Book by Camper English – Everything you need to know about crafting and mastering ice.
🌟 The first cocktail book Damian ever bought and why it’s still a go-to today.
🌟 Books that blend storytelling with technique for beginners and seasoned bartenders.
🌟 Why ice is the soul of a drink and the book that demystifies it.
🌟 How books like Liquid Intelligence and The Bartender’s Manifesto push the boundaries of modern mixology.
🌟 Damian’s call to action: share your favorite cocktail books with him!
Connect with Us📸 Instagram: @WeLoveCocktails
🎥 TikTok: @WeLoveCocktailsx
📩 Email: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode
Coffee & Cocktails – The Craft of Coffee Cocktails
This week on the Cocktail Academy Podcast, we’re diving into the beautiful fusion of coffee and cocktails—two of the world’s most beloved beverages. From bold espresso martinis to tiki-style coffee drinks, we explore how coffee has shaped the cocktail world and why this trend is here to stay.
☕ What’s in the mix?
✅ A deep dive into the history of coffee in cocktails – from the 1800s to today
✅ The Irish Coffee effect and why this drink became a global icon
✅ How Dick Bradsell changed the game with the Espresso Martini
✅ The rise of craft coffee culture and its crossover into mixology
✅ Some of the best coffee-based spirits and liqueurs (spoiler: Mr. Black is worth every penny)
✅ Must-try coffee cocktails beyond the Espresso Martini – from the Spanish Carajillo to the bold Revolver
Coffee lovers, cocktail geeks, and caffeine-fueled mixologists—this one's for you! Whether you're a barista, a bartender, or just someone who enjoys a great coffee cocktail at home, this episode has plenty of inspiration.
💬 Got a go-to coffee cocktail? We want to hear about it! Share your recipes and favorites over on @WeLoveCocktails on Instagram or Cocktail Academy on Facebook.
🎧 Listen now & give us a rating if you love what you hear!
#CocktailAcademy #CoffeeCocktails #EspressoMartini #IrishCoffee #MrBlack #CoffeeLovers #Mixology #CocktailTrends
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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