Bartending grandmother shares her golden rules of the job

A bartending grandmother in the US has found fame after her proud granddaughter shared her story as part of a writing contest for Four Walls Irish American Whisky.

While her story didn't win the top prize for the contest, which was founded by the stars of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, it impressed all who read it and inspired Four Walls Irish American Whisky to make a video about Rose Leja, 97.

It was Emberlin Leja who submitted the story about her grandmother.

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Emberlin shared on Instagram: "Today is a special day for a wonderful lady in my life. My grandma Rosie has worn so many different hats: Assembly line worker, party girl, waitress, mother, my hero, and she really does have some fantastic hats so throw fashionista in there, too.

"This campaign, however, honors her 18 years as a bartender," she explained. "While gathering pictures for this, I was lucky to speak with a few of her patrons and the consensus among them is that there is no one more lovely, lively, and warm to have a drink with," Emberlin shared.

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"The fact that I can attest to that makes me the luckiest girl in the world."

She said she was "grateful" to be able to share her grandmother's story "ensuring her legacy lives on."

Rose later spoke People about her career.

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"Every drink you could think of, I probably made," Rose said.

In the video we learn that Rose is one of 10 children born to Polish immigrants. She left high school at 17, worked at various jobs including milking cows and in a department store and a grocery store.

She began bartending in the 1960s, creating her own drinks along the way.

"I made up a lot of [drinks] and they went flying," Rose said. "I made fancy drinks, all kinds of whiskey – [especially] honey whiskey, which I love myself. Every drink you could think of, I probably made."

She explained the best part of her job was the people.

"I love being with someone to talk to. I myself was much of a drinker, only after hours, and we had my famous drinks, gin and tonic. A lot of crazy drinks I drank, too," she said.

Rose was married to husband Babe for 60 years. The couple raised two sons, John and Michael. Babe died in 2009 at the age of 83.

Rose says she was touched by her granddaughter's story and the subsequent video.

"I was shocked, I'm telling you," Rose adds. "I think I'm still in shock."

Rose shared her three bartending rules with competition creators. They are "take no bull, make everyone feel like they belong, and have a good time."

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