Diageo Reserve World Class - Cocktails @Drinks on MG

Drinks on MG hosted Diageo Reserve world class cocktail session by Nicholas Ord and Alphonso Del Portillo. A good bar, with talented bartenders and brand ambassadors making drinks was awesome, great company and good tunes, the sort of evening made our ‘drinking experience’ more enjoyable.

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Why Drink a Cocktail? Whats so special?
Cocktails are filled with unlimited fun, a style statement. Once seated at the bar and you've placed the order its so much fun watching the bartender measure and add the potions to a tumbler its like watching a mad scientist with intense looks on his face as he pours the drink to a slender glass with precision and decorates his creation. The entire experience is electrifying. When the drink is customized only for you the experience makes it even more special...

It is not easy to come up with a signature cocktail the mixing must be right the drink must be well balanced perfect hint of sweet, sour, bitter and salty potions to tingle the taste buds the bartender has dedicated a lot of time, thought, and effort before he is ready to present the best drink before you..

Alfonso will now represent India and compete with the world’s best bartenders at Diageo Reserve World Class Global Finals to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, in September, 2015. Wishing him and the team all the best.

Who is Diageo Reserve?
Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS is transforming fine drinking experiences and cocktail culture around the world and in the home. The industry’s largest, most credible investment in the luxury on trade, it discovers the next generation of bar-tending talent who set the latest mixology trends and bring these to the best bars worldwide. At the core is an outstanding, global training program and internationally recognized platform that elevates the craft of the bartender and builds careers in the industry culminating in an annual luxury landmark week where the Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year is announced. Launched in 2009, over 15,000 bartenders have been inspired and educated in the craft of mixology using the finest spirits in the Diageo Reserve collection. A partnership and collaboration with gurus, media, partners and owners, Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS is widely recognized as a mark of sophistication and distinction of international fine drinking culture by bartenders and customers alike.

The Diageo Bar Academy Program reinforces the company's commitment to the bartending community. Since launching the program in 2006, more than 5,500 training sessions have been hosted with over 55,000 bartenders trained. The acclaimed program takes an innovative and fresh approach to training, offering interactive and informative sessions led by the industry’s best.

Nicholas Ord

Nicholas Ord has recently come on board as the Reserve Brand Ambassador, representing USL Diageo's Luxury Portfolio. As the Reserve Brand Ambassador, Nicholas has mentored the recent Diageo Reserve World Class India competition and he played a vital role in the selection process of the finalist and winners.

Alfonso Del Portillo

Bangalore based bartender, Alfonso Del Portillo, hails from Bilbao in Basque, Spain. Alfonso moved to Bangalore, India in 2014, and is currently working at Drinks (Lounge). His passion for mixology drove him to participate at the Diageo Reserve World Class – India edition.

He was conferred with the title of the India Bartender of the Year at Diageo Reserve World Class 2015 in Mumbai. His winning cocktail, called the Botanical Heritage, was an unusual blend of Cîroc Vodka with tomato - basil shrub, licorice syrup, chardonnay syrup and chunks of Granny Smith apples, served in a traditional chai kullad.

Once all of us settled down a bit alfonso recreated few of his drinks from the India Bartender at Diageo Reserve World Class 2015 which was held at Mumbai. His winning cocktail, called the Botanical Heritage had the perfect blend of sour, bitter and sweet. As the evening progressed nicholas kept us so occupied with so many stories and cocktails..this was one of a kind interactive session..

ATLANTIC MARTINI

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BOTANICAL HERITAGE

THE GOLDEN FLIP

by Nicholas Ord - Reserve Brand Ambassador

A delectably creamy and sweet creation, the Golden Flip is a rich mixture of Greek wildflower honey, tahini infused Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, dash of apricot brandy and a spritz of orange zest.

The nibbles paired with the cocktails were awesome. Did I enjoy and like this event? Yes I did. Will I recommend Drinks on MG for your next cocktail? Yes I will..