Thomas Bondesson grew up in Sweden. When his parents transplanted the family to California he discovered the joy of being a bus boy, eventually moving behind the bar. “I have worked every style of bartending,” says Bondesson, “from flair bartending in San Francisco to craft-cocktail bartending in Seattle.”

Last year, word spread among the cocktail crowd that there was a talented bartender at an unlikely South Lake Union destination: the Little Red Bistro on Dexter Avenue. But Bondesson soon moved on to Spur in Belltown; he drew more buzz there by creating tasty barrel-aged cocktails. In May he moved again: to Eastlake’s Little Water Cantina, where he has been tasked with creating a craft-cocktail menu to accompany the Mexican eats on offer.

Here, five questions for Thomas Bondesson.

What is the most underrated spirit?

I would say aquavit. It doesn’t always cater to the American palate but used right it’s quite delicious. In Sweden aquavit is generally consumed before you eat a meal, you shoot it. But if you want to mix with it, use something with bitter fruits and berries. I do a cocktail with aquavit, blackberry shrub, ginger ale, and Creme De Cassis.

What’s your favorite Seattle bar (other than Little Water Cantina)?

Zig Zag hands down, the guys there have helped me out a lot when I came out to Seattle, I’ll often be sitting at the stick late Monday nights. Other favorite places are Rob Roy and The Dray.

What drink do you order at that bar?

Old Raj on the rocks or cheap beer and some kind of shot. I’m pretty simple.

What’s the worst thing you’ve ever seen someone do in a bar?

Ugh, I don’t know where to start with this one. I’ve worked in some weird places. But I would say the worst thing is when a customer broke a glass and brushed the broken pieces in my ice well on a busy Saturday.

Name three reasons you live in Seattle.

Culture, weather, soccer.

At Little Water Cantina, Bondesson works Tuesday through Friday nights. Sundays, he joins his industry colleagues to play soccer in the Novo Fogo-sponsored league. You can email me if you’d like more information on that.