New to Anguilla and the Caribbean, Victor Fernandez Yamuni is the bartender at Blue Bar at CéBlue Luxury Villas on Crocus Bay in Anguilla. A Mexican native, Yamuni is eager to share the flavors and drinking traditions from his homeland with his guests.

Originally a journalist by profession, Yamuni started on his journey into bartending when he helped open a bar during the pandemic. Instead of in a classroom, he learned his craft from seasoned bartenders who worked the New York scene during the 1990s and early 2000s—experts with a vast knowledge of spirits, liqueurs, amaros, and wines. His mentors taught him everything, from how to open a shaker to how to treat a good gin and what to look for in a sip of tequila.

Yamuni’s journalistic background remains the foundation of his bartending. “I like telling stories, that’s what I used to do in the newsroom and that’s what I do now, with the main difference being that you get to drink and catch a little buzz with these tall tales,” says Yamuni.

For Yamuni, an inspiring drink doesn’t come out of nowhere but is rooted in memory, “it’s flavors from good times, and lived experiences.” Unsurprisingly, his favorite serve is a premium mezcal paired with a nice chat with friends, or with strangers who quickly become friends.