Meet our crew: get to know the awesome humans that make Cardinal Spirits possible!

Maria Konermann

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bar manager at Cardinal Spirits bar/restaurant/tasting room

Maria on Instagram: @bigbabycakes / Maria on Facebook

pronouns: she/her

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Tell us about your role at Cardinal Spirits.

I'm the bar manager, which usually means I oversee our bartenders, cocktail menus, bar chores & inventory. In normal, non-pandemic times I would also be creating the most complicated, prep-heavy cocktails on the menu because I am just the worst. However, right now I mostly just help out the general management team with day-to-day tasks & managing our staff, while daydreaming about making fancy cocktails.

Where are you from? Where have you lived?

I'm from Bloomfield, IN. I now live in Bloomington, IN. I'm very adventurous.

Any pets or family members that you'd like to introduce?

My baby niece Eleanor is like my favorite person. She's the cutest ever. I'll attach a picture for proof.

Tell us about a skill that you have outside of work!

I've gotten almost pro at binge-watching 90's sitcoms. That's a skill, right? Oh, and gardening. Been growing mad squash, peppers & flowers all summer!

Do you have a side hustle?

I sell pre-loved mostly vintage clothing online on a site called Depop. Follow my store Dishwater Vintage on Depop! I love all things 70's, but end up mostly selling a lot of nostalgic 90's clothes. I've sold all over--mostly to people in New York & California, but also internationally to people in the Netherlands, Belgium, & Singapore. Aka I'm kind of a big deal. 😉

What's your favorite Cardinal Spirits product?

My all-time favorite is the Tiki Rum. If you've ever had my Mr. Pitiful cocktail, you know what I'm talking about. (Editor’s note: Mr Pitiful was on our fall 2018 menu, a smoky, warming cocktail made with Tiki Rum, Valencia Triple Sec, chipotle, lemon, maple syrup, smoke bitters.)

It's happy hour. What are you drinking?

Either a Paloma or a spicy rum cocktail

Do you have any advice for people who want to make better drinks at home?

Invest in a small cocktail kit (hand held citrus squeezer, a couple pour spouts, a one ounce shot glass, a shaker tin & a strainer) and that's all you'll ever need. And don't forget to stock up on ice. Cocktails take more ice than you're ever prepared for when you're at home. It also always helps to mentally prepare yourself for the clean up that will ensue after the cocktail making. The mess is unfortunate yet inevitable. And lastly--get creative but don't go crazy. Save the hard work for the cocktail bartenders. Don't waste good product on a bad cocktail.

What's Cardinal's best kept secret?

Honestly, some of the Spotify playlists made and left behind by Cardinal alum Chris Resnick. If you need anyone to compilate the soundtrack to your life, it is Chris.

What's your coffee order?

I can't have caffeine anymore, so unfortunately I'd have to order a chamomile tea. However, when I did drink coffee, it was a half-caf soy latte because I am bougie.

How do you start your morning?

By hitting snooze repeatedly and going back to sleep until it's absolutely necessary to wake up. Then I stumble around like a toddler for a little while and curse at the daylight

Tell us about a podcast, movie, book, TV show, album, subscription, etc. that you consumed and liked!

If you haven't watched the docu-series Lorena, now is the time. On a lighter note, my partner & I also love the show We Bare Bears. (both on prime!)

What's your favorite midnight snack?

Mini Chewy Sweetarts and popsicles. ALL of the popsicles.

Most used-emoji?

😅 The anxious one--I've never thought about it before but it makes me anxious just thinking about how many times I use it.

Favorite condiment?

Nacho cheese is a condiment, right??

Want to give a shout-out to anyone?

Shout out to my weirdo partner, Kieran, who also happens to work at Cardinal Spirits right now. He's kept me (semi-)sane throughout the pandemic and I couldn't deal with all of the curveballs without him.

Thanks, Maria! We are lucky to have you on our team!