Michael Handman

Michael Handman is a co-founder of Deko Cocktails and a two-decade veteran of the premium spirits and beverage industry, with deep roots in on-premise and retail sales across the New York market.

He helped launch Deko in 2019 on a simple conviction: a perfectly balanced, bar-quality cocktail shouldn't require a home bar or a bartender. That belief now powers an award-winning line of ready-to-drink craft cocktails built from real spirits and all-natural ingredients.

Experience

A career built behind the bar and the brand

Co-Founder

Deko Cocktails

2019 - Present, New York

Co-founded the award-winning ready-to-drink craft cocktail brand alongside Ushi Shafran and Dan Rabinowitz. Leads sales and commercial strategy, translating years behind the bar into a bottled cocktail that holds its own against anything mixed on-premise.

Sales Director - Spirits, Wine & Beer

Food & Beverage Industry

Greater New York City Area

An accomplished sales director with a demonstrated history across the food & beverage sector, specializing in hotel and restaurant on-premise liquor, beer, and wine sales.

On-Premise & Retail Sales

Spirits & Wine Portfolios

New York, United States

Built and grew accounts across hospitality and retail, developing the category and account relationships that inform Deko's go-to-market today.

Expertise

What Michael knows

Certified across spirits categories and shaped by years in the trade, Michael brings hands-on authority to how Deko is built and sold.

Ready-to-Drink CocktailsSpirits Category StrategyOn-Premise SalesTequila & Agave SpiritsAmerican Single MaltArmagnacWine EducationBrand Building

ASM Certified

American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, 2023

Tequila Culture: North America

Consejo Regulador del Tequila, 2022

Certified Specialist of Spirits

Society of Wine Educators, 2012

Armagnac Specialist

Armagnac News, 2015

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

USF Corporate Training, 2021

Ads Fundamentals

Instacart, 2024

Education

Academic background

Arizona State University

Bachelor's Degree

Theta Chi Fraternity (Treasurer & Philanthropy Chair), Habitat for Humanity, Scottsdale Neighborhood Cleanup Program, Rohr Chabad Center at ASU (Executive Board).

Articles

Behind the Bar - recipes & pairings

All 192 posts authored by Michael on the Deko Cocktails journal.

Bourbon 101: A Beginner's Guide to America's Native SpiritThe Art of the Aperitivo: Italy's Greatest Contribution to Happy Hour

Behind the Bar · Apr 7, 2026

A career built behind the bar and the brand

Co-Founder

Sales Director - Spirits, Wine & Beer

On-Premise & Retail Sales

What Michael knows

ASM Certified

Tequila Culture: North America

Certified Specialist of Spirits

Armagnac Specialist

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Ads Fundamentals

Academic background

Arizona State University

Behind the Bar - recipes & pairings

Blackberry-Lime Mousse with Habanero Shortbread

Thai Green Curry with Shrimp and Basil

Spiced Pear and Goat Cheese Tartine

Charred Scallion and Lime Rice with Cilantro

Elderflower Panna Cotta Parfait with Candied Cucumber

Cucumber Gazpacho with Shrimp and Herb Oil

Lavender Honey Cheesecake Bites with Lime Curd

Burrata with Summer Peach and Habanero Salad

Charred Broccolini with Garlic and Habanero

Miso Butter Pasta with Crispy Sage and Lime

Green Goddess Salad with Crispy Chickpeas

Sesame-Crusted Ahi with Wasabi Cucumber Sauce

Herbed Ricotta and Cucumber Crostini

Grilled Corn with Lime-Habanero Butter

Crispy Wonton Cups with Lime Ceviche

Coconut Lime Panna Cotta with Candied Habanero

Baked Halibut with Cucumber Salsa Verde

Crispy Tofu Bites with Sweet Chili-Lime Glaze

Lime Curd Tart with Habanero Whipped Cream

Spicy Mango Cucumber Relish

Pan-Seared Scallops with Elderflower Beurre Blanc

Thai-Style Green Papaya Salad with Lime-Habanero Dressing

Chilled Cucumber Soup with Elderflower Cream

Habanero-Lime Shrimp Skewers with Cilantro

Cucumber Avocado Tartine with Spiced Radish Sprout

Brown Butter Hazelnut Chocolate Cake with Fleur de Sel

Crispy Smoked Salmon Tartine with Dill Cream and Lemon Zest

Spiced Apple Cider Poached Figs with Whipped Mascarpone

Charred Citrus and Honey Panna Cotta with Crispy Tuile

Honey Spice Cake with Lemon Glaze and Toasted Nuts

Bourbon Vanilla Panna Cotta with Brown Butter Sage Tuile

Spiced Honey Pear Tart with Almond Cream

Slow-Roasted Tomato and Herb Bread Salad with Crispy Pancetta

Candied Walnut and Blue Cheese Bites with Apple

Brown Butter Polenta with Mushroom Ragù and Crispy Sage

Smoked Paprika and Honey-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Lemon

Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Toasted Walnut Vinaigrette

Cornbread with Honey Butter and Crispy Sage

Honey-Glazed Duck Breast with Cherry and Thyme Reduction

Sorghum and Black Pepper Roasted Root Vegetables

Caramelized Onion and Gruyère Tart with Fresh Thyme

Smoked Trout with Horseradish Cream and Dill Crisps

Grilled Lamb Meatballs with Pomegranate and Mint Glaze

Saffron and Honey-Glazed Carrots with Toasted Hazelnuts

Bourbon-Brined Pork Chops with Peach and Black Pepper Compote

Pan-Seared Scallops with Brown Butter and Burnt Honey Vinaigrette

Charred Broccolini with Anchovy, Garlic, and Crispy Breadcrumbs

Smoked Paprika Roasted Chickpea Clusters with Lemon Zest

Bourbon-Glazed Bacon and Brown Butter Corn Fritters

Crispy Sage Chicken Skin with Honeyed Apple Mostarda

Brown Butter Hazelnut Chocolate Cake with Fleur de Sel

Meyer Lemon Creme Brûlée

Pistachio-Lavender Shortbread with Honey Glaze

Herb-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Citrus Pan Sauce

Lemon Polenta Cake with Whipped Honey Cream

Seared Sea Bass with Lemon Risotto & Crispy Sage

Citrus Tart with Candied Zest

Whipped Burrata with Heirloom Tomatoes & Herb Oil

Delicate Lemon Meringue Cups with Berries

Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri

Lemon Curd Tartlets with Candied Lavender

Roasted Vegetable Salad with Citrus-Herb Vinaigrette

Crispy Sage & Brown Butter Flatbread with Ricotta & Lemon

Pan-Seared Halibut with Lemon Beurre Blanc & Fresh Herbs

Lavender-Honey Panna Cotta

Honey-Whipped Burrata with Grilled Stone Fruit & Pistachios