Episode 143: The 2026 Imbibe 75 With Sandrae Lawrence of The Cocktail Lovers

Sandrae Lawrence is a familiar face to many in the British bar world, thanks to her role as co-founder of The Cocktail Lovers, with husband Gary Sharpen. One of our 2026 Imbibe 75 People to Watch, Lawrence joins us for this episode to talk about her own path into today’s cocktail world, her work as an educator and mentor in positions including a role on the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s board of directors, and her enduring interest in bars and bartenders.

Radio Imbibe is the audio home of Imbibe magazine. In each episode, we dive into liquid culture, exploring the people, places, and flavors of the drinkscape through conversations about cocktails, coffee, beer, spirits, and wine. Keep up with us on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook. And if you’re not already a subscriber, we’d love to have you join us—click here to subscribe. 

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Paul Clarke

Hey everybody, welcome back to Radio Imbibe from Imbibe Magazine. I’m Paul Clarke, Imbibe’s Editor-in-Chief, and I have a little confession to make. 

Sometime last year, when we first started talking over ideas for ways to celebrate Imbibe’s 20th anniversary year, the notion of turning our regular Imbibe 75 coverage into a global event appealed to me for a few different reasons. The obvious and stated reasons were that this would be a way to share our celebration with some of the readers and online friends we’d gathered over the years. We also thought it’d be a great opportunity to maybe introduce ourselves all over again to folks in parts of the world that we don’t ordinarily have the opportunity to cover. 

The reason that I didn’t bring up at the time, however, has very much to do with this particular episode of the podcast. Because when we were talking about the idea of our global Imbibe 75 for 2026, I realized immediately that it’d give me the perfect excuse to spend a little time catching up with friends and colleagues around the world whose work I’ve admired for a very long time and whose company I always treasure.

Sandrae Lawrence is a treasure in her own right. First off, she and her husband Gary are the founders of the Cocktail Lovers, a multidisciplinary force of nature based in London, and with fans around the world. I first met Sandrae in Trinidad about 10 years ago. Since that time, it’s been my pleasure to run into her and chat with her online many times over the years, both as part of her work with the Cocktail Lovers and in some of her many other roles, including a current position on the board of directors of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation.

So while it’s not totally accurate to say that we expanded our scope of this year’s Imbibe 75 just so I’d have an excuse to chat with Sandrae and have her in the magazine and on the podcast. But it’s not entirely wrong either. Here’s my conversation with Sandrae for this year’s Imbibe 75 coverage so you can see for yourself what a spectacular part of today’s cocktail world she really is. 

Before we get started, this episode of Radio Imbibe is brought to you by Barcelona Cocktail Fest, taking place April 18 and 19, 2026. The festival brings together pop-up bars from around the world featured on the world’s 50 best bars list, leading brands, tastings, and lively conversation about the future of cocktail culture and sustainable innovation, all in a full festival atmosphere in Barcelona with DJs and food trucks. Find out more at barcelonacocktailfest.com. 

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Paul Clarke

Sandrae, welcome to Radio Imbibe. 

Sandrae Lawrence

Thank you, Paul. It’s so lovely to be here. 

Paul Clarke

Absolutely. And I wanted to have you on the podcast and in the magazine for a while now because I’ve known you for years. Our paths have crossed many times in many places. And for 2026, when this episode will run and when this issue of the magazine will come out, we’d like to give our audience, which is primarily in the U. S., some better insight and some detailed understanding of what such global figures as yourself are up to and doing out there in the world of drinks. But to start off, I think it’s safe to say you did not initially anticipate becoming a drinks journalist and drinks and supporter of the cocktail industry. What was the path that brought you here? What were you doing initially and how did that kind of lead to this next level? 

Sandrae Lawrence

I was always writing, but I was very much a lifestyle journalist. So, I covered things from fashion, film, theatre, all sorts of good stuff in life, basically. And one of the things at the time that I did get into the drinks writing, I was interviewing chefs. I was doing a lot of restaurant reviews and trying to interview chefs.

Now, this was over 20 years ago. And at the time, chefs were not as, let’s say, extroverts as they are now. They loved being in the kitchen. They loved making food, but they didn’t really like to talk about it. But at the same time, I was courting my now husband and business partner and fellow cocktail lover, lovely Gary Sharpen. And he was much more of a cocktail person. So one of the things that he was doing in our courting days was he loved to show off and take me out to bars.

Now, at the time, London was not as prevalent on the bar scene as it is now. There were some great bars, but most of them were hotel bars. And we would go, and we’d sit at the bar counter. And I just loved the way that the bartenders would engage. Now, they’d only engage if they thought that you were interested in the drinks. And the fact that I’m a journalist and basically a nosy parker, I would ask questions. They would answer, and they loved that enthusiasm that we had for their drinks.

So over time, I became to be more fascinated in the bar side than the restaurant side. And I just started to weave a bit more of a bar culture into the reviews that I was doing. Gary and I, we decided to start about a blog at the UK. And at the time, we were quite early in the UK scene. There was a lot of blogs in the U.S., but not really in the UK. And we primarily started writing about the London bar scene. We do that in our spare time and at weekends. And that’s how we started, basically. And I loved it. 

Paul Clarke

Yeah, Yeah, fantastic. And you know, working in journalism, as you noted, it can be a challenging industry in its way. But it’s also a fantastic industry, because it gives you the opportunity to kind of explore the world and indulge your curiosities, and really just kind of dig in and ask questions. At a certain moment, there can be kind of a tipping point, where you are no longer simply researching a story or tracking down sources, you kind of find that stories inside your head.

And you really want to settle down with this topic for a good long while and get to know it better. At what point for you and Gary was that tipping point where you said, you know, we’ve been doing this in our spare time when exploring it out of curiosity? But I think there’s something here where we can really kind of settle in with it and work with it for a while. Where was that?

Sandrae Lawrence

Yeah, absolutely. So 2008 was when we started the blog. And then I’d say that things really changed about 2010. We really focused on it then. And we decided that we wanted to quit our jobs and actually really focus on it. And it was a great time. There was just something that we could sense that this cocktail thing was changing, and that people were taking it more seriously. And we really wanted to be part of that. One of our things was we never really thought about this was something that we wanted to do for the trade that kind of happened.

What we wanted to do was initially just share our passion with consumers, and actually just sort of get them to appreciate the artistry that we could see that was going into drinks that because at the time. I think sometimes still now, some people just think, oh, bartending. And it’s just some people that can’t find another job, and they just want to do something in their spare time.

But actually, the people that we came across, a lot of them had studied architecture, or, you know, they’d been involved in other industries, but actually found their true vocation in drinks. And they could tell their stories through drinks. And that’s what we wanted to do. That was really why we came up with our name because we love the cocktails. But we also are lovers of the industry and appreciators of the craft. So that’s when we did the 2010, did the full time thing, and then 2011, set up the magazine. 

Paul Clarke 

Right. And it was really kind of fortuitous timing, in a way, because you were exploring this, as you mentioned earlier, you know, when you were first dating with Gary, you were going primarily to hotel bars. That’s where a lot of the acting was going on. But that entire time, 2008, 2011, that was really kind of a genesis moment, in some ways, for kind of the modern cocktail movement. What was it like as you launched that magazine, 2010, 2011, as you launched that magazine in London at that time, with all of this dynamic going on? 

Sandrae Lawrence

It was great, actually. And sometimes, it’s good when you don’t do too much research, that you just go on your gut. Because I think that the fact that we weren’t thinking about it as business people, put it that way. We’re able to just follow our instinct. And people actually, I think they fell in love with us and our passion. And the fact that  we were an independent couple. Husband, wife, black, white, you know, it was this sort of thing that we weren’t young and trendy. We were a little bit older. So they took us seriously and there were lots of things that I think worked in our favor. But essentially it was because we were telling our truth and actually sharing these stories that we felt were so beautiful that we wanted to share with everybody else, really. 

Paul Clarke

And it’s one thing to launch a magazine and quite another thing to actually keep it going, you know?

Sandrae Lawrence

Oh, Oh my god, yes. 

Paul Clarke

I mean, we both come here from a place of knowledge, um, you know, 

Sandrae Lawrence

Wow. 

Paul Clarke

Financially the cards are really stacked against small publishers. 

Sandrae Lawrence

Mmm

Paul Clarke

How did you and Gary make it work for the Cocktail Lovers as a magazine and as a business to find that kind of endurance and to keep it rolling beyond that initial burst of activity? 

Sandrae Lawrence

I have to say it was really, really hard, particularly because we were coming from it from outside the industry with no backing. It was our money, our personal investment that we put into it. So for the first couple of years you don’t make money, you know. But I think that sometimes even now we have people talking about they want to set up a magazine and you know, can we help them with some advice and things. The thing we say is, don’t think you’re going to make your fortune because, and particularly now, it’s completely different as well so be prepared that, you know, either you’re going to invest in yourself or you’re going to be prepared to make a loss for a certain amount of time.

Luckily we also had, we did a lot of competition judging. We did online articles as well so we had other streams that we’re starting to make money from. And the magazine eventually, I think particularly also at the beginning, for a couple of years, brands and you know, people that will advertise. They want to, they watch and and they’re looking to see, you know, if you’re in it for the long term, what your style is, if you’re, if you’re really invested in it and then they follow you on the journey. And that’s, that’s what we found.

So as I said, we didn’t really do market, market research, we didn’t have any sort of business plan. It was just our way. We knew what we were doing was right. And we really believed in telling these stories and sharing these, you know, fantastic people with the rest of the world. I think that, that followed. And I think our gut worked really well for us. 

Paul Clarke

And along the way, as you noted, you and Gary are putting out the magazine. You also wind up taking a deeper step into the industry that you set out to cover by judging cocktail competitions, as you mentioned. And also working with organizations, events such as Tales of the Cocktail or Bar Convent Berlin and any of a number of other events around the world. As you took that step and embrace this side of the industry more, what did you find yourself bringing to the table? As you noted, you came from outside of this industry. You weren’t bartenders, you weren’t bar owners, you were journalists. What do you bring to the table that that was helpful? And you know, what kind of tangible skills and experience did you have to contribute and how you would engage on that level? 

Sandrae Lawrence

Essentially. I mean, that’s a really difficult and interesting question to answer. And sometimes I wonder that myself, you know, it’s like, how the hell did we end up doing that? 

Paul Clarke

There can be a degree of impostor’s syndrome, you know?

Sandrae Lawrence

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Also, I think it’s because we’re a people brand. I think that, you know, both Gary and I came from a lifestyle background. So as I say, I did different strands of journalism. And I think that we bring that to the party as well. But Gary was an advertising executive. So we have this different kind of understanding as well. And I think that we treated, we wanted to convey these stories to, to consumers. Then when the trade started engaging with us as well, and we sort of straddled both, like yourselves, it’s consumer and trade. Then we suddenly thought, well, actually, the trade are consumers. And the consumers, we tried to appeal to the geek in the consumers, and the consumers in the geeks.

I just think the fact that we are a people brand really helps because I’ve alluded to it before. It’s like, you know, husband, wife, Black, white, you know, and, just telling stories in the way that we want to be told stories. I think that we never do things like, you know, how many cases Diageo have sold, or the next MD is such and such. We really try to get to the people and tell those stories and resonate in a way that connects with us. I think also when the magazine launched, we were sort of doing fashion shoots with the bartenders and bringing things like art and talking to scientists and, and, uh, futurologists and luxury experts.

So bringing different people into the cocktail scene and getting them to talk about the cocktail scene or bring their professions into it. I think we just sort of looked at things a little bit different to what was being done with the drinks trade here before. And that was something that people liked our tone of voice and the fresh sort of ideas that we’re bringing to the party. 

Paul Clarke

Right. And I think it calls back on that statement that you made a little while ago about when you and Gary were first going out. There’s a sense of kind of enthusiasm that you bring to the table. And as long as you have that enthusiasm about what you’re learning about and what you’re talking about within the industry, we’re always as journalists, we’re always kind of sharing that with our audience game.

Oh my god, you have to see what this bar is doing. It’s amazing. It’s really cool. And, you know, keeping that sense of enthusiasm. Within the drinks industry, it’s easy for bartenders to some degree to get lost in your own little world. We all kind of get stuck in our bubbles and to have somebody coming in and go, that’s astonishing what you’re doing. I have to show all my friends this or have to show all of this to our readers. I think in a way that’s kind of reinvigorating for them to some degree. 

Sandrae Lawrence

Oh yeah, they love it. And as I say, you know, particularly at the beginning where we were showing this passion and enthusiasm for what was going on behind the bar and saying to our readers or anyone who cared to listen, that cocktails are art. They’re theatre. There’s geography, there’s history, there’s all sorts of elements in it. And I think that it made them stop and consider it.

Actually even the trade were happy about that because it made them think about their craft in a different way as well. And, you know, sometimes you do get a bit jaded in our lives being a little bit older. But I think that we still have that enthusiasm. And I love sharing these stories and travelling around the world and just seeing what different people are doing all the time. It continues to blow my mind, I can’t tell you.

Paul Clarke

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I think that’s kind of the rewarding thing, you know, for us, having done this for a long time. As you know, it’s easy to get jaded, even when you have the best job on earth. It’s easy to go, oh my god, the deadline ahead of us, We got grind that out. out. But when you get out there and actually start engaging with folks in the bars and seeing the work that they’re doing and the creativity that they’re bringing to the table, it’s inspiring to us as well.

Sandrae Lawrence

And also things have changed, you know, they continue to change. IWhen both of us started, there would be times where London, New York were the key capitals where you’re going to get great things going on. Now as a start, you can go anywhere around the world. And you can find at least one great bar that are doing amazing things. And that continues to inspire me because there’s fantastic new markets and really new people coming up all the time. So you can’t get jaded, really, because there’s just so much going on all over the world. 

Paul Clarke

Yeah, absolutely. We’re really living in kind of a golden point for seeing this kind creativity going on. And more recently, you’ve become a board member for Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, helping to shape that organization and its mission in the years ahead. What are you bringing to Tales? And how do you hope to assist and influence the foundation and the work that’s been doing for so long now? 

Sandrae Lawrence

Yeah, well, I’m finding out what I’m going to bring really. But I think that it’s one of the things. This year was my first year on the board. And I’m so proud and absolutely honored to be part of it. This year was my first year going there on the inside looking out, put it that way. Because so far all of the time I’m on the outside looking in. So I still continue to enjoy it even more so. But it’s just sort of looking at things that I think that can be improved or that need to be, because as we say, everything is changing and changing so fast.

There’s lots of cocktail events all around the world and lots more people in this industry all around the world. So it’s all about how we can connect and how we can continue to evolve really. That was the theme last year, evolve. And I think that’s a lot of consumers into it, how we do that we’re looking at now. But it’s just sort of thinking about how we keep up with what’s going on and how we can continue to inspire, educate and, you know, evolve the platform really. 

Paul Clarke

Right. As I mentioned earlier, our audience will be hearing this episode and reading the article in the magazine in early 2026, with the new year ahead of us. Looking at 2026 and looking at the years ahead, where do you go from here? Where do you go with the Cocktail Lovers? And where do you go with your education and advocacy work in the industry? 

Sandrae Lawrence

Well, 2026 is incredible. I’m really looking forward to it. We are relaunching with an annual edition of the cocktail lovers magazine. So it’s going to be a super sexy, almost like a you, like coffee table edition. So it’s going to be a super sexy. And the other thing we really want to do is sit down and work on our book, which we have been planning for ages and just haven’t got rounds yet. So that’s 2026. And then, of course, there’s the work at Tales and all of the other great events that are going on around the world, which we’ll be at. Trust me. 

Paul Clarke

Well, Sandrae, it’s always so lovely to speak with you and to get some time to chat. Thanks for being on the podcast and for sharing all of this with us for the magazine. I hopefully will be seeing you again sometime soon. 

Sandrae Lawrence

Oh, you definitely will, Paul. Thank you, and also because you’ve been so fantastic with us over the years. I always love it when I see your face in any crowd because you’re just this oasis of calm in usually some chaos. 

Paul Clarke

“Oasis of calm.” I’m going to put that on my name tag. 

Sandrae Lawrence

Please do. Well, you give off that illusion anyway, so thank you so much. 

Paul Clarke

That’s wonderful to hear. Thanks. 

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Paul Clarke

You can find Sandrae Lawrence on Instagram @SandraeLawrence, and The Cocktail Lovers are on Instagram @TheCocktailLovers. Just follow the links in this episode’s notes to get there. 

And once again, this episode of Radio Imbibe is sponsored by Barcelona Cocktail Fest, taking place in Barcelona on April 18 and 19. Head to Barcelona Cocktail Fest dot com to learn more. 

And that’s it for this episode. Subscribe to Radio Imbibe on your favorite podcast app to keep up with all our future episodes. You can find plenty of articles and recipes on our website, imbibemagazine.com. Keep up with us day to day on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Threads. And if you’re not already a subscriber to the print and or digital issues of Imbibe, then here’s your opportunity to change that. Just follow the link in this episode’s notes, and we’ll be happy to help you out. I’m Paul Clarke, this is Radio Imbibe, catch you next time.