Denisse Soto | Source | Beverage Consultant at Cariño

Born and raised in Mexico, Denisse Soto is a sought-after mixologist and mezcal expert turned consultant with a reputation for bringing Mexican drink culture to life through her innovative bar programs throughout Chicago. Previous credits include the cocktails and spirits selections at beloved neighborhood spots like Osito’s Tap, Tacos Lotería, and Crepas Culichi in Oak Park, IL, as well as work with national brands like Espolòn Tequila and Topo Chico’s line of Hard Seltzers. In June of 2021, she started her own LLC, Denise Soto With Flair, along with as line of drink mixers called La Chingona Miks, to become a mobile mixologist providing beverage consulting and services to new businesses. Then in 2023, she was tapped to curate the cocktail and bar program at the new Latin American fine dining restaurant Cariño, helmed by acclaimed Chicago chef Norman Fenton (Brass Heart, Schwa, Wild Tulum). Here, she uses her expertise to create showstopping drinks that deep dive into flavor combinations and ingredients of Latin America.