March 09, 2021
Shelley Tai and Michelle Ki.
Joel Lim Photography
“Where there is a woman, there is magic,” wrote American playwright and poet Ntozake Shange in her 1982 novel Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo.
This International Women’s Day, themed #ChooseToChallenge, we recognise the women we know and love that have picked career in a male dominated industry, and are thriving anyway.
Here are 14 ladies in the bartending and cocktail scene in Singapore, who make magic during the favourite part of our everyday lives (read: happy hour).
1. Hazel Long | Junior
Initially bound for a career in the military, Singaporean Hazel Long gave bartending a shot. That decision turned into passion, allowing her to share her creativity with the people she meets.
How People in the Drinks Industry Maintain Their Mental Health
Kirk Miller, provided by
FacebookTwitterEmail
“How do you handle working through a pandemic on $2.17 an hour, plus the generosity of others?”
That’s a question Elijah Finn had throughout 2020. Last year the 24-year-old bar manager at Courthaus Social in Arlington, VA, went from the daily stresses of working in the hospitality industry to the added pressures and financial hardships of
not working, as well as navigating the new restrictions, rules and workplace dangers that abounded as Covid-19 continued to spread.
“Thankfully, most of us were able to adapt, evolve and survive,” says Finn. “But mentally there was always this dark cloud over our heads.”
Hillrock Estate
Keep reading for details about all the recommended bottles!
“I love Balvenie. They have four single-malt Scotches, but my favorite is the 14 year Caribbean Cask. Simply neat or a splash of water is all you need to enjoy and admire the different aromas. There’s a slight hint of sweetness that comes through from the vanilla and fruity notes, making it enjoyable for the new Scotch drinkers out there.” Justine Tellez-Santangelo, Bartender, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, N.J.
“I don’t love overly smoky (peated) Scotch, so I’d say Oban 14. It’s easy to drink and won’t smoke out your palate.”
Keep reading for details about all the recommended bottles!
“I’m really digging two Los Angeles gins: Astral Pacific Gin from Spirit Guild and Amass Gin, both of which are made in the Arts District.” Steve Livigni, Food and Beverage Partner, Hotel June, Los Angeles
“My go-to gin would be 18th Street Distillery Gin, made by the only Black-owned and operated distillery in the state [of Indiana]. A fine locally produced spirit that fits well in a cocktail or on its own. With its emphasis on lighter botanicals, it strays from the overwhelming pine of more traditional gins. It also has a higher alcohol content, which everyone can appreciate this year.”