François Monti is a Belgian cocktails and spirits writer who has been living in Madrid since 2009. He was one of the writers for French magazine Ginger (Spirited Awards finalist for Best Publication in 2014). His personal blog, Bottoms Up, available in both French and Spanish, is a must-read for cocktail aficionados. In 2014, he published his first book, ‘Prohibitions’, a short pamphlet against the State’s anti-alcohol policies and a historical journey through the Gin Craze, the American prohibition and the absinthe ban in France. ‘101 Cocktails’, a history of the cocktail in as many recipes, was published in France in 2015 and the English version, '101 Cocktails to Try Before You Die', appeared in June 2016. In Spain, he is the author of 'El Gran Libro del Vermut, a widely acclaimed book on all things vermouth. François Monti has also written for various publications and appeared on Spanish television and French radio. He has given talks on vermouth, Brandy de Jerez, prohibition, Cuban cocktails, European bartending and the influence of Spanish bartenders on the history of the cocktail at events such as Tales of the Cocktail, Paris Cocktail Festival, Mix&Shake, Barforum or FIBAR.