Known to us and many others is @Anatomyofadrink, who brings a fascinating blend of science and creativity to the world of cocktails. By day, Daniel Zajic is an Anatomy professor but outside of the classroom, he crafts daily recipes that have captured the hearts of cocktail enthusiasts on Instagram and other channels alike. Searching for a creative outlet during the pandemic, Daniel’s journey was as much about discovery as it was about fun. We sat down with Daniel to learn more about his evolution as a content creator, his inspirations and how he balances teaching with his passion for cocktails. 

pc: Jordan Hughes

Could you introduce yourself a bit and share how you got into making cocktails and content creation?

Yeah absolutely, I got into making daily drinks and content after Covid because I realized I was spending so much time focused on my job as a Professor, helping students and teaching from 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM. I realized quickly that I needed a hobby, something that served as an outlet almost. I used to play with a camera in graduate school and also made drinks for fun but it kind of got pushed aside. By the time it came around again, I just needed that creative outlet.  

How has your background as an Anatomy professor influenced the way you approach cocktail creation?

I’ve always been fascinated by science. Most of my time in grad school working on my PhD involved performing and troubleshooting various experiments and assays.. I enjoyed following formulas and tweaking them, which is similar to making drinks and creating recipes. You follow a template but also troubleshoot when things don’t taste right. I also love teaching so explaining cocktails to both beginners and enthusiasts is fun. 

Clarified Saturn

When I first started, I was making a drink every single day, but that wasn’t sustainable after working a ten-hour day. Now, I batch create drinks over the weekend and post them throughout the week. Initially, it was easier because there were many cocktails I hadn't tried. Now, I’m more focused on developing my own recipes, which is kind of challenging but also rewarding. The hardest part of it all would be naming the cocktails!! I have several drinks that I like but haven’t posted because I can’t think of a name. 

Art of Choke

Can you share a bit about your creative process when styling your cocktails for Instagram?Do you draw inspiration from daily experiences, or do you find it elsewhere?

Music is a big Inspiration for me. Sometimes I create a recipe based on a song I’m listening to. I also get inspired by teaching anatomy which is cool to tap into. For example, I’m working on a cocktail series inspired by the cranial nerves, each nerve has a different function and I’m trying to create a cocktail that matches that sensory experience. 

Reading different recipe books have helped me a lot and talking to bartenders helps. I usually go to restaurants or bars for inspiration which is a great way for me to rest. I also like to check in with my audience and see what they think. It sparks new ideas, especially with changing seasons. I focus on seasonal recipes to keep things fresh.

You’ve built a strong presence on Instagram with your creative content. What role does community play in your journey, and how do you interact with and learn from other cocktail enthusiasts?

Funny story, it was all kind of a little accident. I was doing it for fun and it was mostly for friends, people that I knew, people that I had followed for a while and vice versa. All of sudden, it spiked a little, and lucky enough, I continue to grow every single month now. I feel like the last few years have been huge in terms of growth but I have been continuing what I do, and enjoying it which attracts people.

Clover Club

I definitely try to connect with people who do similar things. I like the community aspect of it all. I also believe that I try to set myself apart a little bit with the daily drinks and I know that some other people do it as well but I try to make mine a bit more accessible. For example, my recipes are very broad, so that anyone can make it. They don't need to have a specific type of rum to do so. Drinking using only what you need/have is how I try to approach it but also try to make it a bit more nuanced for those that are more advanced. I try to be more inviting. 

What are some of your favorite or most memorable cocktails that you’ve created?

The most memorable one often involves fire, like flaming cinnamon. I almost set the kitchen on fire sprinkling cinnamon in a tiki-style cocktail. It's  those risky smoky drinks that stand out, partly because I always have to disconnect the smoke alarm beforehand!! (jokingly)

Scotch Neg

How is it going with being a crafter & working with Klaris? 

I love the science behind clear ice. It's always so fascinating to see. I also love the fact that I save so much space in my freezer. I know my partner appreciates that. The Klaris team has always been fantastic to work with so being a crafter has been quite a lot of fun.

What inspired you to create your home bar? Was it part of a routine, or is it tied to your content creation now?

It started as a simple bar cart with a few bottles. Now my partner jokes that I’m not allowed to go to the liquor store unsupervised because I always come back with a new bottle. We have a few bottles of rum at home but I’m like, No, we need this aged one from Jamaica. My home bar has expanded to fill a whole room in the house, it’s not just a mini bar anymore.

How did photography become part of your creative process?

I've always loved entertaining people. In college and grad school, I would host dinners and make cocktails for friends and I’d often take quick snapshots. Before Covid, I recorded one second videos daily for 4 years straight and after that I needed a new project. I started to shift to cocktail photography and last summer I was able to upgrade my old camera which helped me produce more video content and better quality than my previous camera.

Old Fashioned

Being in Academia has taught me the value of consistency and working hard. It's helped me integrate content creation into my daily routine and explore that a bit more. I'm the kind of person who's always eager to learn something new so whether it's a cocktail technique or a new recipe, I push myself to try and learn.  

Three Dots and a Dash (Clarified)

What advice would you give to someone just starting with content creation, whether as a hobby or career? And to wrap us up, do you have any upcoming projects or sneak peeks you’d like to share?

Mostly having fun with it and engaging with your audience to see what they like. It's easy to post content without connecting with people but building genuine relationships makes all the difference so definitely try to go down that route first. When it comes to upcoming projects, I'm excited about experimenting with fall and winter flavors, things like cozy cocktails for the cold of months ahead.