Must See BCB: Casa Dragones Brings Mexico’s Top Mixologists

Heading to BCB next week? Make sure to visit Casa Dragones Tasting Room during the show at Booth 111 and on Monday at Leyenda Brooklyn Cocteleria.

Known for their small-batch, ultra-premium tequila, Casa Dragones will be offering a Taste of Mexico with Mexico’s top mixologists, Jose Luis León, Bar Manager at Limantour, and Erick Van Beek, co-founder of Handshake Bar in Mexico City.

Learn more about their portfolio of sipping tequilas and taste their newest expression, Casa Dragones Añejo Barrel Blend.

Monday night, kick off the Bar Convent Brooklyn experience by heading to Leyenda from 5-9pm. Leyenda, launched by the team behind Clover Club and Ivy Mix, is a pan-Latin inspired cocktail bar. Eric Van Beek from Handshake Mexico will be mixing up specialty Casa Dragones Blanco signature and Casa Dragones Añejo reserve cocktails in the stunning space.

Tuesday and Wednesday, head to the Casa Dragones Tasting Room at Booth 111 from 11am to 7pm. World-renowned bartender José Luis León, Bar Manager at Mexico City’s leading cocktail bar, Licorería Limantour will be at the booth from 11am to 3pm and Eric Van Beek, of Handshake, Mexico City will be at the booth From 3pm to 7pm.

Also running the booth both days will be Casa Dragones’ lead Brand Ambassador and mixologist from San Miguel de Allende, Adrian Evans.

Get to know the faces behind the booth.

Adrian Evans – San Miguel Tasting Room

Adrian has had an exciting career in both hospitality and bartending. Adrian began his career in the UK, where he worked for nearly 20 years as a bartender, bar manager and Beverage Director, working and operating various bars, hotels and nightclubs.

Following that, Adrian honed his hospitality skills as Beverage Supervisor for Princess Cruises for 8 years, and then for the Thompson Hotel Group in Playa del Carmen. Five years ago, Adrian moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where he worked as Beverage Director for Levain and Co, a deluxe hospitality group, until joining Casa Dragones in November 2019.

José Luis León – Limantour, Mexico City

Following his education in Tourism from the National Polytechnic Institute, León has been a key member at a range of renowned hospitality establishments in Mexico City. In his 14 years in hospitality he has won a range of national and international awards and been recognized as one of the best bartenders in Mexico.

Currently, León works as bar manager for one of Mexico City’s leading cocktail bars, Licorería Limantour. León also runs Baltra Bar and Xaman and has traveled to 32 countries to teach Mexican Mixology.

Eric Van Beek – Handshake, Mexico City

Born & raised in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Eric Van Beek started in hospitality at the age of 25. Starting relatively late, Eric was able to grow and gained success quickly in the international bar and cocktail world. Winning Bacardi Legacy Global Winner in 2018, and being rewarded in 2018, 2019 for running the most creative cocktail program in the Netherlands.

In late 2019 Eric moved to Mexico City where he opened a bar named Brujas where he and his team were nominated by Tales of the Cocktail for Best New Internal Cocktail Bar opening. After several waves of COVID-19 Eric decided to partner up with Marcos Di Battista and become a partner in a new project. Together they opened Handshake Bar in April of 2021 which arguably runs the most innovative cocktail program in Mexico City.