Elayne Duke

Elayne Duke is a mixologist and spirits ambassador for Diageo (the world's leading premium drinks business with brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories).

She was most recently honored by James Beard Foundation as one of the most prominent women mixologists in the country. Her passion for spirits and the art of creating cocktails began eight years ago when she started in the spirits industry, on the marketing side. A native New Yorker, Elayne first developed her techniques and talent as a student of the of B.A.R (Beverage Alcohol Resource), America’s premier course on spirits and cocktails, where she studied under world-renowned experts Paul Pacult, David Wondrich, Steve Olson, Doug Frost and Dale Degroff.

She has been mastering her skills for the past five years, exploring the true integrity of the spirit at some of today’s most prominent spirit distilleries, creating cocktails for prominent New York City restaurants such as Central Park Boathouse, Grand Central Oyster Bar and Balthazar and by training others on brands such as Ketel One vodka, Don Julio, Tanqueray No.Ten, Bulleit Bourbon, Ron Zacappa Rum and Ciroc vodka.

Elayne lives in Manhattan with her husband Ian and their daughter Dylan. Visit her website at www.dukeontherocks.com Follow her blog at www.dukeontherocks.wordpress.com