Kyle Hilla at Turn the Tables Hospitality
What is the strangest drink a customer has requested?
“I’ve always been in the mindset that whatever the customer wants, the customer gets, no matter how crazy their request. But there have been a few times where an order literally made me do a double take. The one that stands out the most to me is when a guest ordered a Yamazaki with a splash of Coke. Now I’m not one to tell someone how to spend their money, but it really hurt my soul to pour that.”
What is your favorite drink to make?
“My favorite drink to make right now is a winter-inspired drink with Root (an all-natural root beer-flavored liqueur that is 80 proof), rye whiskey, and Cynar 70 proof. It’s a bitter spirit-forward cocktail with a touch of winter flavors.”
Cocktail Recipe
Root & Rye
11/2 oz. rye whiskey
1/2 oz. Root
1/2 oz. Cynar 70 proof
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel
Combine ingredients in a cocktail glass with ice and stir. Strain in a coupe and garnish with an orange peel.
Charlie Papaceno at Industry Alley Bar
What is the strangest drink a customer has requested?
“I had a customer who asked for the bartending guide and announced he would drink a cocktail starting with every letter of the alphabet. He came in once a week, grabbed the guide, and would pick the cocktail with the letter of the day. I now have a customer who will get a shot and beer and egg. He’ll slam the shot then chase it with the egg in the beer.”
What is your favorite drink to make?
“Making a Sazerac is a complete experience for me.”
Cocktail Recipe
Sazerac
1 sugar cube
2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
2 oz. rye whiskey
Absinthe
Lemon peel
Place two rocks glasses on the bar and fill one with ice. In the second glass, add a sugar cube, 2 dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters, and a splash of water. Muddle thoroughly until all the sugar is dissolved. Add 2 oz. of rye whiskey and ice.
While the second glass chills, empty the ice from the first glass. Add absinthe, swirl, and dump, lightly coating the glass.
Using a strainer, drain the first glass into the chilled glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.
Ravinder Singh at Rapscallion
What is the strangest drink a customer has requested?
“One day a group came in and they were definitely out to have a blast. After a while, one of the guys came up and wanted me to make him something with gin, bananas, whipped cream, Corona, and jalapeños. I threw some stuff into the blender and handed it over. He finished the whole thing and had me make him another. Not sure if he lost a bet or just wanted something different.”
What is your favorite drink to make?
“My favorite cocktail to make right now is one I have on the Tiki menu at Rapscallion called Have You Seen My Keys?”
Cocktail Recipe
Have You Seen My Keys?
2 oz. rum blend
2 oz. fresh pineapple juice
1 oz. cream of coconut
1/2 oz. chicha morada syrup (made with Peruvian purple corn, pineapple husks, and various spices)
3/4 oz. orange acid (orange juice with added citric and malic acids)
Combine ingredients in a cocktail glass with ice and stir.
