Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender just concluded and the winner was Jeetendra Rana from The Westin, Gurgaon. The Diageo Reserve championship aims to award the best Bartending talents in the World. The Indian finals took place at the majestic Shangri-La Hotel in Bangalore where 20 ace bartenders from across the country went head to head in a clash of flair, mixology and a lot of spirits. The winner from India will represent the country in the international competition to be held in Miami, USA. Now, when you have an award winning Bartender in town, you should try out his new creations and that is what we did.
The Westin Gurgaon has introduced Crafted by Westin, a signature cocktail menu that takes inspiration from fresh natural ingredients, local flavours and craftsmanship. Crafted at Westin is part of the Eat Well pillar as part of the Westin Well-Being movement that encompasses programs across Westin’s six pillars of well-being. Jeetu, as he is fondly known by his team mates has curated a menu which required weeks of planning to create some of the most delicious cocktails you will ever taste.
There is some Vodka infused with Darjeeling tea and some Old Monk rum infused with Cucumbers as Jeetendra cooks up some amazing cocktails. The first one on the menu is Chai Experiments. It is prepared by infusion of vodka with Chai Masala and other spices like Cinnamon, Cardamom, Star Anise and Mace stirred with sweetness of Amaretto and Grand Mariner balanced with the Angoustra Bitters. A perfect balance of the sweet and bitters, akin to one of our favourites, The Old Fashioned.
The next drink does a flip flop with metrosexualizing the good old Old Monk. The dark rum was a favourite in a combination with Cola but Jeetendra along with Chirag at the Bar totally turn the tables on your flavour profile by infusing it with cucumber slices for a whole week. The result is a sprightly drink that refreshes you truly. Lemon juice, sugar syrup and rhubarb bitters just add to the experience.
All of these cocktails are priced at INR 700++. So, this sweltering summer head off to Story Club Lounge and Bar at Westin Gurgaon to beat the heat with some hand crafted cocktails.
