Cocktail & Hospitality Industry Authority; Founder of Modern Mixology Culture; Author of "The Craft of the Cocktail"; Two-Time James Beard Award Winner

New York, NY, USA
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info

Dale DeGroff Biography

Dale DeGroff, widely recognized as King Cocktail, is a leading figure in the cocktail and hospitality industry. DeGroff is credited with founding modern mixology culture, reintroducing classic recipes, thoughtful experimentation, and a gourmet approach to bartending. The New York Times has described DeGroff as one of the world's foremost cocktail experts and noted that his book "The Craft of the Cocktail" is considered an essential bartending reference.

Before gaining prominence in New York, DeGroff developed his bartending skills at Hotel Bel-Air, where he established a distinctive style and a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients. As head bartender at the Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center, DeGroff, under the direction of restaurateur Joe Baum, revitalized the bar's cocktail program. He introduced a menu featuring drinks not seen since the 1930s, replacing artificial mixes with freshly squeezed juices, fresh fruit, and house-made syrups. This approach contributed to a cocktail renaissance that influenced bartenders and beverage programs globally, shaping the evolution of the American cocktail.

DeGroff is the author of several influential cocktail books, including "The Essential Cocktail," which received the Tales of the Cocktail Spirit Award for Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book, and "The Craft of the Cocktail," which won the IACP Julia Child Award in the First Book category. He also authored "The New Craft of the Cocktail: Everything You Need to Know to Think Like a Master Mixologist." His expertise has been featured on television programs such as "Drink Masters," "Anthony Bourdain's A Cook's Tour," "Throwdown with Bobby Flay," and the documentary "Hey Bartender."

DeGroff has received two James Beard Awards, the Tales of the Cocktail Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Wine Enthusiast Cocktail Legend Award. The James Beard Foundation inducted him into the Who's Who in Food & Beverage in America, marking the first time a mixologist received this honor. DeGroff provides consulting and bar training to beverage companies, hotels, and restaurants worldwide. He is a founding partner of Beverage Alcohol Resource, an organization offering training and credentialing in distilled spirits and mixology.

DeGroff also serves as the founding president of the Museum of the American Cocktail, a division of the National Food & Beverage Foundation and the largest mixology archive of its kind. In addition to his work in mixology, DeGroff presents "On the Town: Bars, Speaks, & Legendary Saloons" in cities around the world, sharing stories and insights from the cocktail industry. DeGroff continues to influence the world of cocktails through his writing, consulting, and public presentations.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/24/2026.

Dale DeGroff Speaking Topics

  • I'll Take Manhattan

    A tasting of five aromatic bitters (as opposed to single flavor bitters) first on their own, then each paired with 1 oz of a Rye (or bourbon if the client prefers) Manhattan. During the session we speak about the bitters, their history and ingredients, and the proliferation of commercial brands in the new Millennium. Optional, after the tasting a cocktail party with snacks featuriong a Manhattan are served with a choice of each individuals favorite bitters.

  • The Godfathers of Tiki

    An introduction to Don the Beachcomber, aka Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt and Trader Vic aka Victor Bergeron. We taste through drinks from these two influential, post-Prohibition geniuses who made millions happy with their fantasy tropical oasis in cities around the country and eventually around the world.

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Dale DeGroff Videos

Dale DeGroff (pt1) - Rainbow Room, NYC Bars & Restaurants

Dale DeGroff (pt1) - Rainbow Room, NYC Bars & Restaurants

Dale DeGroff is a bartender author spirits brand owner and the co-founder of the Museum of the American cocktail.

Dale DeGroff making some cocktails and talking about his new book.

Dale DeGroff making some cocktails and talking about his new book.

Watch Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff Make a Blue Florida Highball Cocktail

Watch Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff Make a Blue Florida Highball Cocktail

Watch Dale DeGroff, an award-winning mixologist for Holland America Line, make a refreshing Blue Florida highball.

  • How do I book Dale DeGroff to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Dale DeGroff for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Dale DeGroff, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Dale DeGroff or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Dale DeGroff

    Speaking fees for Dale DeGroff, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Dale DeGroff are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Dale DeGroff, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Dale DeGroff speak about?

    Dale DeGroff is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Hospitality, Non-Fiction Authors, Storytelling
  • Where does Dale DeGroff travel from?

    Dale DeGroff generally travels from New York, NY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Dale DeGroff’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Dale DeGroff for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Dale DeGroff for your next private or corporate function.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Dale DeGroff or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
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Dale DeGroff is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as I'll Take Manhattan, The Godfathers of Tiki, The Evolution of the Martini and On the Town. The estimated speaking fee range to book Dale DeGroff for your event is available upon request. Dale DeGroff generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are David Chang, Art Smith, Michael Solomonov, Aarti Sequeira and Andrea Immer Robinson. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Dale DeGroff for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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