Put these tipples to the test and find out how your go-to bars fair
How do you know if a bar is serving great cocktails? For those of us who are not savvy and able to navigate between the nuances of the many spectacular cocktails featured on bar menus, we often stick to what we know. To learn and best equip ourselves for future happy hour sessions, Tatler wanted to find out what industry experts like these stellar bartenders order for themselves when heading to new bars and getting the lay of the land. What do they look for in new cities, or how do they vet new kids on the block in their own neighbourhoods?
We speak to four mixologists to learn what their benchmark is to determine if a bar is worth its salt. Find out what they had to say, here:
1. Kalel Demetrio
Co-founder of Agimat and Destileria Barako
What drink do you order when visiting new bars to judge the establishment and why that drink?
Normally, whenever I travel or try out a new bar I always order some classic cocktail such as a negroni, old fashioned, or whisky sour just to check how they execute and respect the classics.
I like gin though and so my favourite is a negroni, which is a simple recipe. If you can't execute it well then there is an 80 per cent chance that the bar might not be serious when it comes to cocktails.
I also like to try [a bar's] signature drink, if they have one. I also [check what] tools [the bar has], and [like observing] how bartenders present themselves.
See also: Do you Love Ube? Meet this Liquor Made by Destilleria Barako