PRODUCT ZONE
BEVERAGE
IN HIGH SPIRITS
Much has changed in the drinks industry in recent times. With a thirst for knowledge, we spoke to five beverage professionals to discover what’s new in the world of spirits.
TONY ABOU-GANIM Owner of The Modern Mixologist and partner at Libertine Social
What are the latest spirit trends? The trend of “to-go” cocktails will continue. I also believe that we will see more and better quality ready-to-drink cocktails sold off premises. Simple, triple-ingredient cocktails and wellmade highballs is what we can expect at bars.
How do you assess a spirit’s quality? it is consumed neat or in cocktails. Flavors and aromas need to be rich and evolve with time. Even when the glass is empty, the aromas should still be there.
Which is your favorite spirit and why? Definitely whisky. I have more than 150 bottles at home, and my collection continues to grow. What I like the most about whisky is the know-how of the people that make it. I also love the different tastes and flavors of this spirit.
VINCENT ASSIÉ Founder of Shaker Spirits and Escale French Apéritif
What are the latest spirit trends? Low and non-alcoholic products are continuing to experience growth. Major companies are investing massively in this category, such as Martini 0%. However, I believe that consumers will be more driven by craft and high-quality brands with a strong heritage.
How do you assess a spirit’s quality? First of all, a high-quality spirit needs to give customers the same feeling whether
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Which spirit is a must in most cocktails? It depends on the market. Vodka and gin are still extremely popular in cocktail creation. Vermouth and bitters are also sought after at the moment. Negroni, Americano, dry martini and other classic cocktails are trendy.
What key terms should alcohol enthusiasts know? Distillation, maceration and maturation are important terms. These help to identify where the aromas and flavors come from.
My mother was a great chef, and she always said that you have to taste everything to learn what you like and what surpasses others in the same category. Over time, if you apply this rule, you will come to identify the characteristics of a specific spirit category and what sets one brand apart from others, at least in your opinion.
Which is your favorite spirit and why? If I had to pick one spirit, it would be Campari. From a simple Campari and soda to negroni —which is my favorite cocktail — Campari not only brings that unique, bitter-sweet element to a cocktail, bit it also works with virtually any other base spirit, from gin to blanco tequila.
Which spirit is a must in most cocktails? I have always loved working with vodka, a spirit category I feel has not been given the respect or attention by the craft bartending community that it deserves. People love vodka; in fact, over 25 percent of all spirits consumed in the United States are vodka.
