Embracing The Opportunity

Dilyana Deyanova first came to the U.S. in 2006 from Sofia, Bulgaria as a D1 volleyball player with a scholarship from the University of Little Rock, Ark. She began bartending during the summer at a private country club in New York and was quickly hooked. Over the years, Dayanova has worked at notable spots like Meat Market Miami, Smith & Wollensky in Miami Beach and The Mondrian South Beach. Currently, she is serving lucky patrons at The Setai Miami Beach. We caught up with her for some stirring conversation.

Q&A

Why bartending?

I started in the restaurant industry as a waitress and saw colleagues start to transition from waiting tables to bartending. Observing their skillful craft, the challenge and the sense of teamwork really drew me. The vibrant atmosphere and the special bond between bartenders and patrons further fueled my interest. Since delving into mixology, I’ve embraced and loved every second of it.  

Drink everyone needs to know, and why?

The Chili Passion Martini is a staple cocktail at The Setai and deserves universal recognition. This iconic drink has been on the menu for nearly two decades and offers the perfect balance between sweet and sour. It’s made with our homemade chili and lemongrass-infused ALB vodka, which delivers a tantalizing hint of spice that enhances every sip, making it an essential beverage for all to savor and appreciate. 

Favorite quote?

“The way you make an omelet reveals your character” by late chef and author Anthony Bourdain. 

You can design your own cocktail napkin. What would it say?

It would say, “Margaritas: because no great story ever started with a salad.”

Bar trend you’d wish would fizzle out.

A bar trend that I wish to fizzle out is overly complicated cocktails that consume more than three to four minutes to prepare. Especially when you are working in a high-paced environment, overly intricate drinks can become very tedious and time-consuming for bartenders. 

Finish the sentence: “I love Miami because…”

…it embodies a vibrant melting pot of diverse cultures and atmospheres. You cannot beat the tropical weather and infectious good vibes that are uniquely Miami. 

Favorite/best bar music?

Classic jazz or modern Bossanova. 

What’s your go-to piece of advice for women stirring their way into the mainly male-dominated mixology scene? Any secret ingredients to success you’d like to share?

Be true to yourself, maintain a competitive edge and embrace the opportunity to learn from your colleagues. While the industry may be largely male-dominated, it’s important not to let your gender deter you from pursuing your passion or hinder your confidence.

Best bar snack?

At The Setai, we have a mixture of three bar snacks that we serve to our customers that I enjoy: homemade chips, spicy picante olives and cucumber sesame oil bites. Additionally, the tuna tacos, featuring small bite-size tacos with a creamy avocado puree, are an absolute delight and the perfect go-to bar snack. 

Who, living or not, would you want to make a drink for and why? Bonus points if you can name the cocktail you’d serve them!

I would love to make a drink for my grandfather, whom I lost at a very young age. It would be a cherished moment to share my craft with him and hear stories from his youth. I would most likely serve him an Old Fashioned, as it’s a timeless classic that I believe he would appreciate and enjoy.

Chili Passion Martini

Ingredients:

1 oz. housemade chili and lemongrass-infused ALB Vodka

1 oz. passion fruit rum

¾ oz. passion fruit purée

½ oz. cranberry juice

¼ oz. ginger syrup

a pinch of chili flakes

Garnish:

Thai chili

Instructions: 

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Shake with ice and pour into a Martini glass. Garnish with Thai chili.