At Aqua Blu in Toms River, a veteran mixologist puts fun on the menu with bold, sparkly, eye-catching cocktails.

BY ERIK SCHONING  •  PHOTOS BY AMANDA DOMENECH

Since opening in October 2011, Aqua Blu Kitchen & Cocktails has established itself as a fixture in Toms River. It has become a reliable gathering place for both locals and seasonal residents alike. Through it all, Alison Cadamatre has remained a constant – a steady presence behind the bar, known for her ease, precision, and expertly crafted cocktails.

Cadamatre, a true career bartender, didn’t always plan it that way. After dipping her toes into the restaurant business in the ’90s as a part-time gig, she fell in love with the work and dove headfirst into a career behind the bar.

“Once it gets ingrained in you, you can’t leave,” Cadamatre said. “I’ve been able to travel and meet great people. You get to see the evolution of cocktails. It’s just been a great business.”

In 2011, Cadamatre met Cathy Varriale, who, along with her husband Vincenzo, were looking to open up a new bar and restaurant in Toms River. Joining Aqua Blu was the perfect opportunity for Cadamatre; she was working in a chain restaurant at the time and had become disillusioned with the inflexibility of the corporate environment. She wanted the authentic relationships and creative control that, for mixologists, only come with a small business.

A self-described “season one” employee, Cadamatre has been with Aqua Blu since opening day and has seen the highs and lows that come with a career in service: special events, milestones, and holidays, but also heartbreak and tragedy. It comes with the territory. When you’re in the people business, you sign up for all of it.

“I remember when Hurricane Sandy happened and I couldn’t get in touch with some of my regulars,” Cadamatre said. “It was rough, because you care about these people. With the rise of AI, I think there’s a human element to what we do that can’t be replaced. People need that one-on-one connection. We’re social creatures, after all.”

Since its inception, the bar at Aqua Blu has been ever-evolving. The menu is a constant topic of conversation between the Varriales, the bar team, and the kitchen crew; the atmosphere is one of constant collaboration. Take this year’s spring and summer menu, celebrating the 15th anniversary of Aqua Blu. Expect bold, summery flavors – the perfect complement to an afternoon on the Shore.

Leading the pack is the Flirty Flamingo, Cadamatre’s own creation. It’s a shining encapsulation of her signature style, pairing Casamigos Blanco tequila with pink peppercorn agave syrup for a spicy-sweet twist on a classic margarita. Pomegranate, lime, and mandarin juices lend a fruity pop, and the traditional salt rim is given a glow-up with a touch of sugar and pink glitter.

“I wanted fresh, bright, and a little fancy,” Cadamatre said. “You want to create the head-turners, cocktails that are big, bold, and fun. Plus, there’s nothing wrong with a little glitter.”

The latest menu at Aqua Blu is packed full of head-turners: the Velvet Peach Smash is a twist on the mint julep, pairing Bulleit with Juliette Peach Liqueur and finishing it with basil. The Passion Paloma blends Aperol, tequila, and passion fruit puree with prosecco, creating a bubbly, refreshing sipper that channels cabanas and poolside lounging.

Cadamatre is always looking for drinks that are fun and engaging; she is often polling the servers at Aqua Blu, many of whom are in their early 20s, on what’s hip and hot. She is always thinking up the next great Instagrammable cocktail, and she can often be found photographing daily specials for the kitchen team. (Cadamatre is even collaborating closely with the chefs to roll out a reimagined small plate and tapas menu at Aqua Blu.) The best way to keep up in the bar business is to keep your eyes and ears open, and Cadamatre is very much the tastemaker and tonesetter at Aqua Blu. She’s the brains behind the bar’s twist on the customizable espresso martini trend.

“Everybody wants an espresso martini: guys, girls, grandmas, it doesn’t matter who it is,” Cadamatre said. “I personalize it with chocolate syrup. I’ll write something fun in cursive on top, and people go bananas for it. They love to feel seen. And a drink always tastes better personalized.”

Every night at Aqua Blu is an adventure, from weeknight performances from longtime Atlantic City crooner Gerard Esposito to weekend dance parties hosted by local DJs. But no matter the party, the special occasion, or the trending cocktail of the week, Cadamatre remains a friendly face behind the main bar.

“People expect to see me there,” she said. “I see the same people every week, and they want me to make their drink. You find your bartender, and that’s just who you go to. There’s only a few of us left who are original people here, and that responsibility means a lot to me.”

With the 15th summer of Aqua Blu on the horizon, sunny days are ahead. As the bar team rolls out its new menu and shoregoers flock to Toms River, Cadamatre is ready for an unforgettable season of celebration; after all, it’s not her first rodeo.

Recipe: The Flirty Flamingo

1 1/2 oz Casamigos Blanco

1/2 oz pink peppercorn agave syrup

1/2 oz pomegranate juice

Lime

Mandarin

Sugar, salt, and pink glitter rim

Combine tequila, agave, and fruit juices in shaker over ice. Wet edge of glass with lime, and dust rim in sugar, salt, and glitter. Strain mixture into glass and serve.

Aqua Blu Kitchen and Cocktails  —  3410 NJ-37, Toms River  •  732.270.1180  •  aquablurestaurant.com