Booze adventures with mixologist Matthieu Duval
AT ANY given bar sits two types of drinkers: the ones who partake in the spirits to forget the world around them and the significant set who indulge to remember those distinctively sweet notes of flavour. As a firm believer of the latter, Matthieu Duval has made it his duty to bring his masterful skills and artistry to produce clink-worthy mixes. For this Bartender Week, we highlight Duval and his unexpected adventure into booze and chaser.
Dubbed ‘Fada Duvie’, based on the popularity of dancehall artiste Valiant’s ‘Fada Dipo’, Duval was inspired to journey into mixology because he saw a need to promote cocktails made with real Jamaican ingredients. While this nation is widely celebrated for its rum history and characteristic flavours thereof, he believes enough emphasis isn’t placed on its chasing counterpart.
“We don’t see a lot of otaheite apple, June plum or jackfruit used to make drinks. That was missing and I wanted to bring that to the mix,” he told Food.
Noting that he was always a fan of mixing things together and getting better-tasting results, he didn’t delve into the field until three years ago.
Officially in the business for a year now, he put his mixes to the test and entered the Jamaica Union of Bartenders and Mixologists (JUBAM) Limited competition in 2023, where he placed second.
“Shortly after the competition, me and a couple of like-minded friends started a food and drink company called Istry,” the co-owner, beverage director and head mixologist shared.
Other members include Executive Chef Jamie Allen, CEO Michael Chen, Chief Operating Officer Thaon Simms, and Chiefs of design Toussaint Chen and Ronaldo Cameron.
Since inception, the company has engaged in pop-ups at different locations in Mandeville where the team members are from, as well as around Kingston. The brand can often be seen at the food village by Summit in New Kingston. Additionally, this self-taught mixologist has also been doing a number of drink-related events.
Among Duval’s top five original mixes are the ‘Fall For You’ drink. This amaretto sour is rapidly infused with coffee, cinnamon syrup and a cacao butter fatwashed bourbon which elevates the flavour profile.
“Rapid infusion is the use of nitrogen oxide to force flavour from a solid to a liquid. While fatwashing is the process of infusing the fat from an oil or oil containing substance, like butter or chocolate, to infuse to a spirit by freezing both the spirit and the fat then straining, leaving just the spirit; but it takes on the flavour of the oil,” Duval added.
Another popular drink of his musthaves line-up is the ‘Angel Tears’ – made with
Malibu Rum, chamomile syrup and lemon juice. “Persons also enjoy ‘Fi Di Gyal Dem’, a mix that comprises passion fruit syrup, crème de cacao, vanilla vodka, vanilla caviar, vanilla syrup and orange bitters.”
Taking the fourth and fifth spot are the ‘Duvalier’ and ‘September 31st’. The ‘Duvalier’, he said, is another amaretto drink, composed of dark rum – 8-Year-Old Appleton Estate to be exact, amaretto, crème de cacao and black walnut bitters. And ‘September 31st’, as the name suggests, is a refreshing jasmine, cucumber and gin carbonated drink that is simply out of this world.
With plans to take his spirited home training to the next level and enrol in specific courses this year, he will continue to take great pleasure in surprising, enticing and exciting palates with an extensive drinks menu that is uniquely Jamaican. In honour of the occasion, Duval is inviting you to celebrate by trying your hands at this classic daiquiri recipe below.
Cheers and happy sipping!