Ana Souza

Anasouza

Ana Souza changed career paths a few times before she fell in love with bartending. With a keen interest in Science Fiction and Fantasy, she channels her passion for the creative into making amazing drinks. Anna also recently competed in and won, Speed Rack Asia.

FROM MODEL TO BARTENDER, HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE INDUSTRY, AND WHY THE CAREER MOVE? I have bartended on and off since I turned 18, but it took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do with my professional life. I worked as a model, in IT and marketing, but later realised bartending was my calling. I’ve been dedicated to it for two and a half years now, and I look forward to many more.

TELL US ABOUT MONKEY SHOULDER SCOTCH WHISKY AND THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR COCKTAIL. Monkey Shoulder always provides a fun and innovative way to appreciate scotch. On that note, my cocktail is inspired by a childhood favourite, the classic peanut butter and banana sandwich. Also bananas… monkeys… got it?

WHAT’S A NEW INGREDIENT YOU’RE USING AT THE MOMENT? I have a very short attention span when it comes to experimenting with different ingredients. I will bounce around different ideas two or three times a week. You’ll always find me in the dark depths of the bar with a blender, an induction cooker and the face of a mad woman. WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO ANYONE LOOKING TO PURSUE BARTENDING AS A CAREER? 1. Be a nerd. Ask questions. Read, and never stop learning. 2. Guests are the most important part of our jobs; at the end of the day, we are here to serve them not each other. 3. Masking tape can fix ANYTHING; labels, signs, cuts, souls, your dignity, etc.

IF YOU COULD DO ONE GUEST SHIFT WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE AND WHOM WOULD IT BE WITH? With the Pontiac team behind Death & Co, The Dead Rabbit or Employees Only in New York City, BOOM! I think we may need to make something like this happen… just saying.

AND FINALLY, TELL US SOMETHING THE INDUSTRY MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU. I am the Dungeon Master in a Dungeons and Dragons group, R2D2 is my spirit animal, and I can lick my elbow; doesn’t sound that impressive until you try it.

Presley Sour

INGREDIENTS: • 45ml Peanut butter washed Monkey Shoulder

Scotch Whisky • 22.5ml Banana liqueur • 22.5ml Fresh lemon juice • 15ml Simple syrup • 2 x Dashes of Angostura Bitters • 1 x Egg white

METHOD: Add all ingredients into a shaker. Dry shake and wet shake

GARNISH: Lemon twist

GLASSWARE: Double rocks

ICE: Cubed