There is no shortage of watering holes in Manila. With a bit of investment, however, you can start building a special bar that can outdo even the fanciest ones around — right inside your own home.
First, you’ll need to get your hands on quality barware.
No need to go to Quiapo to get unsafe knockoffs, there is now BevTools, an e-commerce website that offers affordable shakers, strainers, barspoons, measuring tools, jiggers and other bar essentials.
Alvin Velasco and Patrick Cuartero (some of the guys behind the 14th bar in Asia, ABV), have made it their personal mission to elevate the drinking culture in the Philippines with their latest endeavor.
“People are now very particular about what they eat and drink. It goes to show how we, as a people, have evolved,” said Velasco in a press launch attended by Coconuts Manila.
More than providing quality barware to drinking establishments and restaurants, Velasco wants every Filipino to realize that there are days when we can do better than mixing drinks in a plastic pitcher. He wants to take good ol’ inuman sessions to loftier heights.
Mixing cocktails might sound expensive to learn, but a quick look at the BevTools website will show that those who want to start it as a hobby don’t need to sell an arm and a leg. A basic Parisian shaker, for example, only costs PHP1,299 — not a bad investment at all.
BevTools is represented by an interesting group of bartenders who come from different backgrounds.
Included among the 16 brand ambassadors are Ken Bandivas of ABV, Enzo Lim of Maharlika Filipino in New York City, Erwan Heusaff of Niner Ichi Nana and the only woman in the group, Kathryn Eikstein of Antonio’s Group of Restaurants.
Watching them at work could easily inspire a drinking enthusiast to create a cocktail.
Not confident enought to come up with your own concoction just yet? You can go sign up at one of ABV’s bartending classes to learn the basics of creating your own drink. They have a two-hour introductory session specializing on different drinks like tequila, whisky and rhum.
Interstingly enough, these classes are also pretty budget-friendly at only about PHP1,500 per class.
There will always be days for cheap gin and powdered juice (especially while waiting for pay day), but with a few clicks on the BevTools website and maybe a class or two on cocktails, you’ll always be prepared to impress your friends with a good cocktail. Drinking at home will never be the same again.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV) 22 Jupiter St, Bgy Bel-Air, Makati; +63 917 5201608, Facebook. Daily 5pm-2am.
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