Get the recipe for his favorite romantic cocktail
In the past six years, HCH has evolved into a stylish cocktail and spirits Instagram page with 30,000-plus followers. Last year, Buencamino began offering content-creation services full time, and in the coming year, the mixologist plans to step in front of the camera more often to demonstrate home-bartending basics and how to build classic and original cocktail recipes from scratch. Here, the father of two discusses his new home bar and his favorite takeout
Q Your home bar is pretty amazing. Tell us about it.
A Thanks! It was a labor of love, I had a whole Pinterest board of navy kitchens and built-ins as my inspiration. I also wanted to construct everything myself, so there were hours of cabinetry tutorials I watched on YouTube.
Q Which bar tools should every amateur mixologist have?
A ■ A jigger to measure your pours
■ A cocktail shaker: I prefer shaker tins, but a cobbler shaker is also fine.
■ Pina Barware seamless hand-cut mixing glasses (above) for stirred cocktails
■ A long bar spoon for stirring said cocktails
■ A Hawthorne strainer for shaken drinks and a julep strainer for stirred cocktails
■ An Opinel ”No. 8 Stainless Steel Folding Pocket Knife” (left) instead of a peeler for citrus
■ A solid ice pick if you carve your own ice
■ Ice or garnish tongs, if you’re serving guests
■ Cocktail picks to elevate your garnishes
Q What's your favorite romantic cocktail to enjoy on Valentine’s Day?
A Chiseled Grin - get the recipe
Q What’s been your cocktail of choice during the pandemic?
A I love barrel-aging cocktails at my home bar; I’ve had a Boulevardier (1 part Bourbon, 1 part sweet vermouth, 1 part Campari) sitting in a barrel through the pandemic. It’s always ready to drink, just pour over ice.
Q Do you have a signature accessory?
A I carry my J. Stark “Boyer Wallet,” Ray-Ban ”Clubmasters,” a Benchmade pocket knife, a Sony A6500 camera, and my iPhone 11 Pro on me every day.
Q Tell us about your winter wardrobe.
A Given the pandemic, I’ve really been rocking some comfy athleisure wear; nothing fancy, just a Nike hoodie. If I’m leaving the house, I love this J.Crew “Wallace & Barnes European Combat Jacket.” I typically layer a henley or sweater underneath.
Q What’s been your go-to restaurant for takeout the past nine months or so, and what do you order?
A Kwei Fei, hands down. We typically order all the dumplings, ”Biang Biang Noodles,” the scallion pancake (available for brunch only), ”Laziji” chicken, and the eggplant. Our son loves the marinated cucumbers. Don’t forget to order a side of ”Angry Lady” sauce!
