By Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer
With plush seating and a swanky atmosphere, Rocks and Drams has always been a stylish spot to grab a drink. But it recently upped its cocktail game by consulting with renowned mixologist Pedro “Peter” Barriga.
“Peter is one of those guys that sticks out when it comes to craft cocktails,” Rocks and Drams owner Mark Valdivia said. “He’s a genius behind the bar.”
Born and raised in Huntington Beach, Barriga attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, supporting himself by tending bar. After college he worked in water filtration for the state of California, then did similar work for the beer industry. Eventually, his behind-the-scenes technical worked evolved into brewing and, later, cocktail craftsmanship and bar management. He made beer at Claremont Craft Ales, and helped develop the Eureka! Burgers brand, even opening a few branches in Southern California. His career also included stints at top-notch bars like The Whisper House in Claremont and W. Wolfskill in Riverside.
Valdivia met Barriga while both were working in the craft cocktail scene in Los Angeles, and collaborated on a few pop-ups during “Tales of the Cocktail,” one of the world’s major cocktail festivals that takes place in New Orleans annually. They also worked together at the beautiful El Dorado Bar in Downtown L.A.
Valdivia opened up Rocks and Drams in Downtown Ventura in 2020. It survived the ups and downs of the pandemic years, growing in scope and clientele. Today it offers a wide variety of craft cocktails and succulent Asian fusion bites that are perfect for happy hour or late-night snacking (and some fantastic desserts, too). But Valdivia is really excited to reinvent the cocktail menu with Barriga’s guidance.
“Here in Ventura we don’t get a lot of the techniques that he possesses,” he explained. “The only way we’re going to get better is by being around someone like him.”
One of the new things Barriga has introduced is methyl cellulose, which can impart a silkiness to drinks and add froth, similar to egg whites…without the distinctive eggy smell that Valdivia said can put some people off. Methyl cellulose is plant-based (perfect for vegans), has a longer shelf life and helps cut costs and food waste because, as Valdivia noted, “I don’t have to buy eggs anymore.”
Barriga is also a big fan of something he calls “super juice.” This is essentially an oleo saccharum, or “oily sugar,” made by muddling citrus peels with sugar and letting them sit together. The sugar extracts the oils from the rinds, leaving behind a rich syrup that imparts a deep citrus flavor when used in cocktails. It’s also a great way to use up the parts of lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit that might otherwise go to waste.
One of the Rocks and Drams offerings that showcases Barriga’s elevated techniques is the watermelon margarita, incorporating a salt foam.
“Stick your nose in it and the salt and watermelon taste just hits your palate,” Valdivia said. “Peter has helped us perfect that one.”
Another drink new to the lineup is Peter’s Milk Punch, which Valdivia described as “a bit labor intensive” but “we pride ourselves on it.”
In addition to a more sophisticated bar menu, the food menu is quietly being upgraded, too. Valdivia praised Chef Carlos Martinez (who previously worked at Nobu in Houston) for bringing his expert touch to dishes like the house smash burger and “amazing” garlic noodles. Barriga is impressed as well.
“He’s phenomenal,” the cocktail consultant said of the Rocks and Drams chef. “I have been fortunate in my life…the only reason I could escalate my cocktail program was by working with all these chefs. Chef Martinez is one of these chefs.”
While it would be incorrect to say that Rocks and Drams is dramatically different, it’s undergoing some improvements. Plenty of reason to discover a new favorite, or revisit again if you haven’t been in a while. Feel free to set your expectations high; Valdivia, Barriga and Martinez have every intention of meeting or exceeding them.
“We hope to be above the clouds with our new program,” Valdivia said.
Rocks and Drams
14 South California Street, Ventura
805.667.8585
www.rocksanddrams.com
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