PRESS KIT
With nearly a decade of experience behind the bar, Ana Paula Ulrich is the Head of Bars at Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, overseeing the spirits and cocktail program at the property’s bars and restaurants: Luna Rooftop, Pirules Garden Kitchen, Restaurante 1826, and 1826 Tequila Bar.
Born in Curitiba, "the green capital" of Brazil, Ana Paula fell in love with the world of beverages during an Anthropology class, as she is passionate about analyzing human history through what people drink. After studying Communication with a focus on Product and Graphic Design, Ana Paula joined an advertising agency while continuing her study of wine, spirits, and beer as a hobby. A vocational crisis inspired her to study Forestry Engineering while she began exploring the hospitality world, working as a waitress and hostess.
Ana Paula made her debut behind the bar at a nightclub in her city as a barback, where she began experimenting with cocktails. This role prepared her for her first job in a high-volume cocktail bar before moving to São Paulo in search of professional growth. It was there that she began her journey in luxury hospitality, eventually becoming Head Bartender at the Oetker Collection's Palacio Tangará hotel. Later, she joined the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts family as part of the opening team for Rosewood São Paulo, taking on the role of bar manager.
Seeking new horizons and challenges, Ana Paula arrived in the country that has inspired her since childhood: Mexico, where she once dreamed of becoming an actress. In 2022, she joined the team of the award-winning speakeasy Hanky Panky in Mexico City – ranked #42 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list – continuing her exploration of agave spirits and working alongside extraordinary bartenders in the capital. In 2024, she returned to Rosewood as Head of Bars, this time at the brand’s iconic property in San Miguel de Allende. “Being in San Miguel is an opportunity to learn about part of the Bajío culture,” Ana Paula shares, “as well as work with small producers and explore the practice of agroecology.”
Under Ana Paula’s supervision, the bars at each of Rosewood San Miguel de Allende’s restaurants and bars maintain their unique style, from the agave-focused offerings at 1826 Tequila Bar to the creative menu at Luna Rooftop. At Pirules Garden Kitchen, the hotel’s newly opened restaurant, the bar philosophy aligns with the kitchen’s mission, focusing on seasonality, sustainability, and waste reduction, as well as using ingredients sourced from within 100km. Surrounded by fresh produce, Pirules gives Ana Paula the opportunity to work with some of her favorite ingredients, such as tomato, bay leaf, and of course, agave spirits. One standout cocktail is the Desierto – a margarita-style drink prepared with xoconostle cordial – which is one of her favorites. “The use of local products and a distinctive approach have revolutionized the beverage industry in Mexico,” she says. “It’s a blend of tradition, pride in Mexican spirits, and technique.”
Throughout her career, Ana Paula has triumphed in several international competitions, including Patrón Perfectionists, where she was a finalist in 2018 and then took first place in 2019. In 2020, she was named Bartender of the Year by the Brazilian publication Prazeres da Mesa, which also nominated her for Bartender of the Year in 2022. In 2024, she led Cachaça Week in Mexico City. Additionally, her travels to countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, and Greece have been a source of inspiration, influencing both her personal worldview and her creativity behind the bar. “A cocktail can represent a philosophy, an intention, a concept,” Ana Paula asserts. “I develop each cocktail as if it were a unique project, representing an idea or story in liquid form.”
