Meet Kristy Morris, the 2026 Best Bartender for Best of the East

Kristy Morris, Nouveau Bistro & Lounge

If you've ever enjoyed a perfectly crafted cocktail at Nouveau Bistro & Lounge, there's a good chance Kristy Morris had a hand in making your evening a little more memorable.

For Morris, bartending is equal parts creativity, craftsmanship, and connection. Seeing guests raise a glass, snap a photo, share a laugh and create memories worth toasting is what keeps her passion alive.

“Whether I’m crafting an Old Fashioned, a classic Dirty Martini, an innovative cocktail or a thoughtfully prepared mocktail, there’s a sense of joy in every drink I make,” she says.

Ask Morris about her favorite cocktails, and she doesn't hesitate.

First on the list is the ever-popular Espresso Martini.

“It’s the perfect way to begin a meal, end a meal or, for many guests, both,” she says. “I enjoy making it just as much as I enjoy drinking it.” 

Made with freshly brewed espresso, Nouveau's version delivers rich flavor — a silky finish that can’t be replicated. Morris especially loves adding the traditional three coffee bean garnish, a symbol of health, wealth and happiness. It's a small detail that adds a little extra charm to one of the restaurant's most requested drinks.

Next comes a true guest favorite: the Kristy Cosmo.

A fresh twist on the classic Cosmopolitan, this signature cocktail swaps traditional cranberry juice for white cranberry juice, creating a lighter, fruitier and incredibly refreshing sip. In the summer, it’s finished with a bright lime garnish. During the holidays, fresh cranberries give it a festive touch. 

Her third favorite is the endlessly customizable Margarita.

From fresh fruit flavors and creative rims to sweet, spicy or classic preparations, the possibilities are limitless. One standout at Nouveau is the Spicy Mango Jalapeño Margarita, which perfectly balances tropical sweetness with a kick of heat. Still, Morris admits there's something timeless about a classic lime margarita served with a perfectly salted rim.

7590 Fredle Drive, Concord, 440-350-0793, nouveaubistroandlounge.com