Coming to the Taste: Julian Cox

Julian Cox is the mastermind mixologist behind the cocktail menus at a wide swath of L.A.’s top bars.

Cox has crafted cocktails at David Myers’ Comme Ça, John Sedlar’s Rivera and Playa, Ricardo Zarate’s Picca, and the Nancy Silverton-partnered upscale burger joint Short Order. He also is the imagination behind the drinks at the new downtown Italian restaurant Bestia.

Cox received the 2010 Rising Star Award, won Roy’s National Holiday Drink competition in 2006 and earned the Jimmy Barela Award for his 1800 Tequila cocktail, the G.T. Foam Home. He also helped open mezcal-centric bar Las Perlas in downtown L.A.

Cox will be the co-host, along with Times writer Jessica Gelt, of the Taste food festival’s Cocktail Confidential on Sept. 1, an evening of mixed drinks, spirits and food tastings.

Tickets to Cocktail Confidential cost $65 and are available at the Taste’s website.