ANDRII STETSENKO

Senior bartender Salmon Guru Dubai @andrii.st1991

Serving a story

In our bar, we have an eclectic menu. Many cocktails are in demand, such as margaritas (tequila based) and the gin basil smash. In Dubai, preferences vary considerably from one area to the next.

Creativity derives from music, nature, art, movies, people and so forth. It is essential to seek inspiration and push the boundaries. I have seen people create cocktails based on a song they love. Creativity is limitless, as long as it makes sense and conveys a meaningful message.

Cocktail spirits have stories behind them. It is important to know where the bottle you are pouring came from. Understanding the product is another key element, as it gives you the ability to think of ways to introduce it into a cocktail.

Time for tequila and mezcal

People still love their gin and tonics, but tequila and mezcal are on an entirely different level.

There are some people who dislike tequila as it reminds them of a time they drank too much and didn’t feel well the next day. However, much has been done to change the perception of tequila and celebrate it as the beautiful and rich spirit it is.

The Salmon Guru Paloma is one of the best on the market. It was created by our team and it combines tequila and mezcal, with grapefruit cordial, lemon juice and grapefruit soda.

Taking stock

The list of essential stock can vary greatly depending on where you work. At a beach bar, for example, people will not order single malt whisky without ice to sip. In contrast, a lounge bar requires greater variety. Understanding where you are serving, whom you’re serving and what concept you have determines the spirits you need to have.

It’s all about the bartender

The list of accessories is so long and sometimes so complex that it is hard to keep up with them.

However, a bartender’s best accessories are his personality, aptitude, passion and humanity. All this is followed by a couple of good shakers, a bar spoon, strainer, double strainer, mixing glass, muddler, peeler and a citrus squeezer.