Journalism of Courage
In Australia,it’s a woman’s world behind the bar. “Though most take up bartending as a part-time job and not as a career, says Natasha Sorensen. This Sydney-based mixologist was in town on Thursday to conduct a workshop for the bartenders of Zaffran,Yerwada. She’s touring the country as the brand ambassador of Grey Goose to explore the liquor industry in India and to train bartenders in the art of cocktail making.
With over seven years of experience in the field,Sorensen’s knowledge extends to the history and production of spirits and cocktails,improvisations of cocktails,service levels,sales and profitability. The workshops will expose Indian bartenders to international techniques and trends and encourage them to be more creative and innovative with cocktails, she says.
The bar culture in India and Australia are worlds apart. I’m very surprised with the pay package of the bartenders here! What they earn in a month is what their Australian counterparts make in one shift, she exclaims. Her two-hour workshop in the city consisted of interesting trivia on the liquor served at the bar,ways to “host” a drink at the bar counter,mixing and serving techniques,flavour profiling and demonstrations of some simple,all-time-favourite mojitos with innovative twists. I am impressed with the trend of Sunday brunches,spiced liquor,and bold flavours of pomegranate,mint and apples in drinks. I will introduce these aspects in Australia as well, adds Sorensen,who loves sipping on tequila rather that shooting it down.
