Serving up Greater Cincinnati’s Social Scene

Molly Wellman is the co-owner of Japps, Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar and Neons Unplugged  and also a newly-minted author of a recently-released book on craft cocktails

She’s a pin-up inspired, tattoo covered, spirit slingin’, business opening machine with an infectious smile to boot. She’s the one and only Molly Wellmann.

Wellmann is the co-owner of Japp’s, Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar and Neons Unplugged with plans to soon open a new bar in East Walnut Hills. “I have done a lot of research while hand-picking everything including the staff for the new establishment,” says Wellmann.

Between running her popular bars and launching a new one, she also managed to take the time to capture her 100 best craft cocktail recipes in a new book titled Handcrafted Cocktails: The Mixologist’s Guide to Classic Drinks for Morning, Noon & Night.

“I don’t like to write and hate punctuation,” Wellmann laughs. “But I have a fantastic editor and publisher. It’s an easy read with concise instructions plus a history lesson behind the drink.” What makes it unique is that it features drinks suitable for any time of the day. “It includes perfect brunch cocktails, refreshing afternoon cocktails and dinner cocktails that coincide with dinner,” she explains. The book can be found in the Cincinnati area at any major bookstore such as Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million and Amazon.

Wellmann was born in raised in Cincinnati and then moved to San Francisco where she lived for 12 years. She attended City College of San Francisco where she studied nutrition. “I decided to move back to Cincinnati when my two year old nephew asked me why I lived at the airport,” Wellmann says jokingly. “That’s when I decided to settle down back in my hometown where my family resides.”

When she moved back to Cincinnati, she was a freelance bartender working in a variety of establishments around Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. “That’s how I started meeting amazing people and making a name for myself,” says Wellmann. “I can’t express how grateful I am to readers and followers.”

Having studied nutrition, Wellmann started creating her own craft cocktails. She uses all-natural ingredients and makes the liquors and syrups used in custom-made drinks. All drinks contain real sugar excluding artificial sweeteners and high-fructose corn syrup. You can try out these specialty recipes for yourself at her three current bars, the forthcoming bar, and also in her new book.

To learn more about Wellmann, “like” her Fanpage on Facebook.