Lynnette Marrero

Speed Rack - Hudson, NY

Lynnette Marrero is a trailblazer in the world of mixology and a driving force for inclusivity, innovation, and equity within the hospitality industry. Her journey began at New York City’s iconic Flatiron Lounge under the mentorship of cocktail pioneer Julie Reiner, where she discovered her passion for bartending and began shaping what would become a groundbreaking career.

Since then, Marrero has led bar programs for acclaimed restaurants including Freemans, Llama Inn, and Llama San—where she served as Bar Director for over six years. Her work at Llama San was recognized nationally, earning a semifinalist nod for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Restaurant Bar Program in 2022, along with a Spirited Awards Regional Honoree designation.

Today, Marrero is the Liquid Creative Director for Aplós, a company redefining non-alcoholic spirits with functional, elevated drinking experiences. She also serves as Beverage Director for the Raizado Festival, a celebration of Latinx culture and innovation, where she curates beverage programs rooted in heritage and community.

A fierce advocate for gender equity in the industry, Marrero co-founded Speed Rack, a global cocktail competition that highlights and empowers women+ bartenders. Her philanthropic impact has been recognized with the inaugural Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for Philanthropy and she continues to mentor and support the next generation of hospitality leaders through education and advocacy.

In 2025, Lynnette Marrero was honored with the Bar & Restaurant Expo’s Industry Impact Award (Industry Game Changer), recognizing her lasting influence on the field. She is currently preparing to open her first bar, Milly’s, in Brooklyn—set to debut in Spring 2025—a long-awaited personal and professional milestone.

Her numerous accolades include being named one of America’s Leading Female Mixologists by the James Beard Foundation (2009), one of Food & Wine and Fortune’s Most Innovative Women in Food & Drink (2015), Wine Enthusiast’s Mixologist of the Year (2016), and World’s Best Bar Mentor at the Spirited Awards (2019). In 2021, she was voted Altos Bartenders’ Bartender by The World’s 50 Best Bars, and has been consistently recognized in the Drinks International Bar World 100 from 2019 to 2024.