Natalia Cardenas, Beverage Development Manager, Breakthru Beverage, Cicero, Illinois
As Beverage Development Manager at Breakthru Beverage, the nation’s leading premium beverage wholesaler, Natalia Cardenas has been recognized in leading industry publications such as The Tasting Panel and Bar Business for her in-depth knowledge and creativity behind the bar. In April, Natalia won Best of Show at the WSWA Iron Mixologist Competition in Las Vegas with a rum-based long drink featuring The Perfect Purée Strawberry Puree.
Natalia has access to the nation’s best products and appreciates The Perfect Purée for its exceptional assortment of natural and exotic flavors.
“The colors are so vibrant and eye-catching,” Natalia says. “[The Perfect Purée] also simplifies and streamlines the process of cocktail creation for bars and restaurants by eliminating the headache of sourcing fresh, consistent-tasting ingredients throughout the year while preventing unnecessary waste from spoilage.”
Natalia is a BAR 5-Day graduate and a Certified Spirits Specialist. She has completed the Introductory Sommelier Course and Evaluation through the Court of Master Sommeliers. Her philosophy towards beverage development centers on making wine and spirits knowledge fun and approachable rather than intimidating.
As her bio explains, the more we learn about the terroir, geography and production of wine and spirits, the more we realize that the tapestry of our human history can be told through them.
Natalia is a former President of the Illinois chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild and a dedicated industry champion, committed to educating the trade and giving its hardworking members the tools to succeed.