Content with style

A bartender’s sense of style is defined by his equipment, the ingredients he uses and the way he mixes his drinks. From what we wear and how we wear it to how we speak or even conduct ourselves, style is being given more and more importance.

Bear in mind that it isn’t content versus style. It’s content with style. In India both these aspects are now being given more emphasis. Content refers not only to the composition of a cocktail but also the correct methods used in making the cocktail; whereas style is all presentation. It is important to remember “That which is seen is sold”!

A dearth of unique and high standard spirits in India serves as a big challenge to creative bartending as well. The “work ethic” in mixology today can be expressed best by the words “what’s next?” Trends in mixology are meandering in

the most unimaginable ways and the only way to keep up and excel is to keep looking forward. This constant desire to seek something new is extremely challenging but also exhilarating.

Having worked with a whole host of spirits and liquor, I’d have to say that it’s much tougher and hence much more fun to win over guests with cocktails made with spirits such as tequila or liqueurs like chartreuse, absinthe, etc. However, as mixology is still evolving in India, many wonderfully unique spirits do not find popularity or appreciation.

People in our country are getting increasingly better informed about cocktails and cocktail culture. Thankfully this has also resulted in an increased fascination with the same. However, some people frequenting bars today have a misconception that mixing two or more different spirits tends to land a bigger kick or leaves you worse for wear the next morning. The truth is that if the total volume of alcohol in a cocktail remains constant, so does its alcoholic percentage.