Intelligent Bartender

Bahama Mama no. 7

I was recently lucky enough to vacation to the Bahamas, and as always I make a point of seeking great bartenders in great bars that make great cocktails.  Paradise Island, should have been no different, especially considering the price tag for food and drink while on the island, and their commitment to haute cuisine.

At Nobu in Atlantis, I had a surprisingly good mojito for $17USD, (although at that price you’d expect a good drink)  No trip to the Bahamas would be complete without trying the signature Bahamian cocktail, the Bahama Mama.  I ordered one at each bar/restaurant I went to, and sadly there were no consistent recipes or drinks that tasted remotely alike (they were however all red in colour) Atlantis is no slouch of a resort in culinary terms, however the bar service was lacklustre at best.  Generally the bartenders were order takers without much in the way of motivation to take mixology seriously.

It seems like such a shame that so much money is spent on facilities, decor, food, chefs, ambiance, etc., and yet it has become completely satisfactory to do little or nothing when it comes to training the bar staff, which inherently results in less than exciting cocktails.  In an environment where setting yourself apart from the competition is paramount to the success of any restaurant / hotel / nightclub, even a small amount of effort could produce extraordinary results.