BENGALURU:People take up hobby workshops of all kinds. If you're interested in art, you could do a painting or pottery course; if you're interested in cooking, you'd take up a baking or a pasta-making course; and if you're interested in bartending, you'd be part of a workshop or course in the art of mixing spirits. Speaking to City Express, people in the bartending profession say that the number of people taking part in workshops has seen a massive growth over the last few years.
Shalini Narendran, who works with a life insurance company, says, "I've always enjoyed cocktails and wanted to experiment and explore more. I heard about these bartending workshops and checked online, after which I joined a hobby class for five-seven days. I did this because it was fun, and I learnt so much about the techniques used in mixing and the different equipment required."
*'Increased consumer awareness now'*
"People are traveling more now and are also more open to try out different things. They've also realised that there's a lot more to cocktails than just the alcohol - they're looking below the top layer. People assume that anyone can mix different liquors and ingredients together and that's how you get a cocktail, but it's actually quite difficult. It's like cooking, a process. From behind the bar, the story is different, and that's what people are exploring now," says Ranson Carvalho, a former DJ and current partner at Bar Square Academy Of Bartending in Ashok Nagar. Ranson conducts workshops for people who want to learn bartending, and says that he's seen an increase in demand for such classes.
He adds that restaurants and pubs have their own versions of what goes into a classic cocktail, and people don't even realise that modifications have been made most times. But now, with growing awareness on alcohol, there is no fooling a customer anymore. "I see this trend continuing to grow in the next three-four years," says Ranson.
Agreeing with Ranson is Karthik Kumar, head of beverages at Byg Brewski, who says that he's seen rise in the number of people singing up for cocktail-making workshops in the city. "People in Bengaluru are becoming increasingly enthusiastic about cocktails. Food lovers and IT professionals are the ones I see the most at my workshops. A lot of people looking to host parties and serve cocktails also attend the workshops, and the age group is usually 30+. People in this age bracket have a better understanding of cocktails and the ingredients that go into making them," says Karthik, who has conducted about 25-30 workshops in the last two years.
*Techniques, not just cocktails*
Ranson points out that it is the techniques and method that he gives importance to, rather than just teaching how to make a cocktail. "Once you learn the different styles and methods involved in cocktail-making, the ingredients can be switched around. If I taught people how to make five cocktails, that's all they'd know. I want to make people understand the difference between a good cocktail and a bad one," he says.
For Karthik as well, technique is key. For example, one of the most important things he teaches people who attend his workshop is that the ice used in a cocktail has to be just right - when the ice starts to melt too fast, the entire taste of the cocktail changes.
Balakrishnan Subramanian, who handles beverage operations at La Case, restricts his workshops to 12-14 people, so as to pay the right amount of attention to the cocktails and the students. "What I primarily try to imbibe in people is that my workshops are not meant to be super professional. I want them to understand that bartending can be easy and uncomplicated. My sessions are always fun and interactive," he says, telling us that his journey in the beverage industry started back in 2006.
Gin picking up
Karthik says that while people think that vodka and white rum makes for the best cocktails, he tries and shows them that there are a wide variety of bases to chose from. "Gin is really picking up now. A lot of people inquire about gin-based cocktails these days. Floral and fruity flavours still dominate when it comes to flavours, but I tell them that it's all about balancing the right ingredients together," he says.
Balakrishnan says that the Indian market is beer and whiskey-oriented, but he demonstrates cocktails with a various bases at his workshops, which are usually theme-based.
'Best gift ever'
Alisha Anand, a city-based teacher, and her pilot husband celebrated their 10th year wedding anniversary by taking a bartending course. Alisha says, "My husband has always been good with fixing cocktails, people who come over always compliment his mixing skills. So to celebrate 10 years of being together, we decided to take a bartending course with Ranson Carvalho," she says, adding, "The duration of the class for four-fives hours. We can't wait to take a friends and go for another workshop."
Roshan GM, a freelance graphic designer from the city, says that he'd always been interested in bartending, but never took it up seriously. "Back in college, I would end up experimenting with different flavours before a party. Even though it wasn't expensive alcohol, I still tried to make some fun combinations. My friends would always tell me to give it a try professionally, but I didn't take them seriously. Years later, when I was going through some hard times, one friend from back in college gifted me a seat at a bartending workshop as a birthday gift. I was immediately taken back to a happier place - best gift ever," he says.
