ALEXY HAIDAR

Outlet and bar manager

Soul Kitchen and Isolé Lebanon factory-people.com

Alexayhh

Cocktails of the hour

Depending on the occasion and setting, cocktail demand can vary. A bloody Mary would be appropriate for brunch and a Negroni for dinner. Highballs have gained popularity recently, especially among those who prefer lighter cocktails.

Depending on the desired outcome, a bartender can play with the ingredients and spirit for any classic cocktail and create an elevated experience. First, you have to define two things: what is the flavor and mood that you are looking to emphasize and what is the main spirit you are working with. You can then work on different techniques and infusions to achieve a unique result.

Fashionable drinks

Consumers are becoming more interested in the flavor, purity and production method of the spirits they choose.

Tequila rose to prominence 10 years ago, especially the aged varieties like reposado, anejo and XO. It is now often requested neat, on the rocks and in trendy cocktails. More recently, a greater number of agave spirits have found their way onto the popularity list, including mezcal, which has a wider variety of agave species and tastes more smoky and earthy. Today, consumers are requesting agave spirits like sotol and raicilla, which are not commonly found in the market.

NOLOS (no and low abv spirits), which include various beers, ciders, apéritives, fermented non-distilled drinks and seltzers, are today's latest fad. Furthermore, many people have been rediscovering their native spirits, particularly after the pandemic. Examples include the cashew spirit from India, samagon from Eastern Europe and Lebanese arak.

The perfect bar

Primary spirits, namely vodka, gin, rum, whisky, tequila and wine, are musthaves behind the bar. It's possible to make countless drinks and even fortified wines with the addition of spices, fruits and other components.

The rotovaps (rotary evaporators) have evolved into an essential toolkit for modern mixology and are now widely used in high-end cocktail bars. They help in the creation of homemade distillations by concentrating flavors and infusing delicate ingredients.

Every bartender needs at least four pieces of equipment: a shaker, bar spoon, jigger and strainer. It’s paramount for a bartender to learn how to use these tools properly because, armed with knowledge, they can create a bit of magic.