K. Ramya Sree
When you go out to a restaurant or a club and come across some fancy cocktails which not only taste better but also look tempting, do you also feel like learning the art of mixology or are intrigued to learn the recipe so you mix it for your loved ones later?
Bartending and the art of mixology is one of the toughest ones as they strive to provide great experiences for their guests. Along with creativity, storytelling and mastering flavour, the act of hospitality remains the best test of a bartender’s skill.
Today, we have with us the very popular Evonne Eadie, who brings with her over 20 years of bartending experience. Moreover, recently, at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2023, Evonne Eadie, Head of World Class, Trade, and Social Advocacy, showcased the vibrant and diverse flavours of India for the prestigious Minister’s dinner. Her unique creations paid homage to the diversity of flavour and ingredients from India presented through elevated serves on the backs of the finest spirits from Diageo India, including Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, The Singleton, Tanqueray, Don Julio, and Cîroc.
This pool of talent believes that: Those bartenders who excel in their careers have a true passion for ensuring other people have a good time when socialising in their venues. “They do this on what other people have as their spare time, weekends, Friday nights. This requires a huge amount of sacrifice, including giving up time with family and friends. It’s all worth it to know that you’re providing a great experience for others,” shares the mixologist exclusively while in conversation with The Pioneer.
The WSET qualified Spirits Trainer, who is a master of converting non-whisky drinkers into whisky lovers through unique food and drink experiences, is also the national reserve brand ambassador of DIAGEO.
She, now as a brand ambassador, is seeing the rapidly increasing popularity of Tequila and Mezcal. Sharing the experience, she said, “As consumers come to enjoy the nuanced spirit in cocktails and see it’s more than just a party shot, there is a huge rise in Tequila and Mezcal. I’m also very happily noticing consumers becoming more educated about cocktails, and, in turn, growing respect for the craft of bartending. This trend is driving a positive movement in diversity and inclusion in the industry as skilled bartenders continue to hone their craft to create memorable and inspiring experiences for a wider range of people.”
As you know, World Gin Day was celebrated on June 10, and asked which is her favourite gin-based cocktail that she loves recreating and why?
The expert revealed, “My favourite gin cocktail is called the Southside. It’s a simple mix of gin. Lime, sweetener and mint, perfectly balanced to create a zesty and refreshing serve. When making one with Tanqueray No.TEN I love to add some pink grapefruit zest in the shaker, which gives that burst of zest and elevates the citrus heart. It’s a perfect drink for having on a warm day as it’s nice, bright and zesty but also allows the gin to shine through.”
Dear readers, if you are planning a house party with your friends this weekend, we got you covered. For those weekend plans with your gang, Evonne, who learned her craft in some of the best bars in Australia and overseas, shared, “For weekends out with friends I can’t go past a Johnnie Walker highball. It’s tall, refreshing, lower in alcohol and perfect for a pre-sunset serve. It’s a drink that has been loved by all I have introduced it to, even those who didn’t think Whisky was a day time drink. The new Johnnie Walker Blonde & Lemonade is a great drink for new drinkers as it is brighter and fresher than a traditional Scotch so works beautifully with citrus flavours.”
Mixology is all about creations and new innovations. We wondered if she gives more importance to: innovation of new cocktails or sticking to the basics of classic cocktails, and Evonne was quick to respond saying; “I believe classic cocktails are at the heart of any new cocktail. There’s a reason that Classics have stood the test of time, it is because they are perfectly balanced and enjoyed by a wide variety of people. Following the recipe ratios of classics allows for endless variations while maintaining the flavour balance. In general, any new cocktail you see is a twist or a tweak of a classic cocktail, so I think they’re both hugely important. It’s about knowing the foundations and then having the knowledge to tweak those to create new cocktails.”
We’re in the thick of World Class 2023. There is endless creativity in the hospitality industry which we get to see in full force through the World Class program. “Ingredients I haven’t thought about, combinations I have never experienced—it’s incredible. We saw any number of delicious creations from our Top 100 Bartenders through World Class Cocktail Week in May,” she said.
Through World Class 2023, the narrative of drinking better and responsibly is coming to the limelight. She feels responsible drinking comes with an understanding of how alcohol is involved in social occasions and how it affects the body. Lastly, she shared a message that she would like to share with the enthusiastic World Class audience, and that is: “I think the one message I would have to share is to experiment and experience. In the world of cocktails, there is definitely something for everyone. You may not find it at first, but if you don’t try, you could be missing out on delicious flavour experiences. Through World Class, we really strive to inspire people to taste cocktails and taste spirits in new ways and seek to bring Global trends and innovative services to our audience.”
