Featured Bartender February 2025: Elaine Empalmado, Mocktail Hour, Toronto

Elaine Empalmado is a Toronto-born content creator with a deep-rooted passion for mixology and mindful living. With seven years of bartending experience – ranging from restaurants and clubs to cocktail bars – Elaine quickly rose through the industry, becoming a bar manager by 23.

After facing personal struggles with substance abuse, she left bartending in the summer of 2024 to pursue content creation full-time. Now, she specializes in crafting elevated mocktails that bring sophistication to alcohol-free living, inspiring others to embrace balance, creativity, and wellness in their everyday lives”