Acclaimed bartender and industry innovator Angelos Bafas, widely known as Mr Ungarnished, is set to release his debut book, HYPER Drinks, which is now available for pre-sale. Edited by award-winning drinks writer Millie Milliken, the book offers a unique blend of personal storytelling, professional insights, and over 75 meticulously crafted recipes.
HYPER Drinks is more than just a cocktail book—it is a deeply personal exploration of flavor, ethics, and creativity. Rooted in the philosophy of hyper-seasonal and hyper-local ingredients, Bafas champions simplicity in technique and sustainability in sourcing. The book aims to inspire a new wave of mindful bartending, reshaping the industry’s approach to cocktail creation.
A Journey from Greece to London’s Bar Scene
Written as a personal journal, HYPER Drinks traces Angelos Bafas’ evolution from experimenting with exotic ingredients early in his career to advocating for locally sourced, sustainable produce. It provides an intimate look at his rise in London’s competitive bar scene, including key roles such as Bar Manager at Aqua Group, General Manager at SOMA Soho, and currently Group Head of Bars at Creative Restaurant Group, overseeing venues like Nipperkin, NIJU, HUMO, and Kioku by Endo.
The inspiration behind HYPER Drinks was largely shaped by his experience launching Nipperkin Bar in Mayfair, London. Here, the ethos of radical simplicity and seasonal ingredients became central, prompting Bafas to challenge traditional definitions of ‘local’—considering factors such as time to glass and geographical proximity rather than mere national borders.
A Call for Sustainable Bartending
In an era where convenience often overshadows quality, HYPER Drinks emphasizes the importance of time-honored techniques like maceration, foraging, and preservation. The book dispels the myth that exceptional cocktails require exotic ingredients or expensive equipment. Instead, it showcases how bartenders and home enthusiasts alike can craft outstanding drinks using what is locally available, reinforcing a connection to nature and community.
While the recipes focus on British Isles produce, the principles and techniques are universally applicable. Bafas provides a framework for bartenders worldwide, offering alternative ingredient solutions to help replicate flavors using local resources.
Innovative Recipes and Cocktail Inspirations
Readers can expect a range of inventive recipes, including:
- Raspberry Dry Vermouth made entirely from scratch
- Caramelized Rhubarb Spirit
- Wild Garlic Martini crafted with wild garlic gin
- Elderflower Bee’s Knees featuring three distinct preparations of foraged elderflower
Each recipe reflects Bafas’ philosophy that great flavor is born from simplicity and seasonality.
Praise from Industry Experts
Speaking on his debut book, Bafas shares, “HYPER Drinks reflects a year of my life, or, more precisely, a year’s produce in my life. Great flavor demands great simplicity, and using local and seasonal ingredients is not just a concept—it’s the only way forward.”
TV personality and hospitality expert Fred Sirieix adds, “Angelos is a purist, obsessed with quality, tradition, and creativity. This book is not just a recipe book; it’s a philosophy about doing things the right way. So grab a copy and start making drinks. Enjoy.”
Whether you are a professional bartender, a seasoned mixologist, or simply a lover of innovative and conscious drinking, HYPER Drinks offers an essential guide to crafting meaningful, sustainable cocktails.
Pre-Order Now
HYPER Drinks is now available for pre-order, ahead of its official release in spring 2025.
