World Class Bartending: Emily Doherty’s Story of Passion, Persistence, and Innovation

Explicit content warning

11/26/24 • 49 min

In this episode of the Cocktail Academy Podcast, Damian welcomes the inspiring Emily Doherty, winner of World Class Ireland 2023, and newly appointed cocktail bar manager at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast. Emily takes us through her remarkable journey from starting as a waitress at 16 to representing Ireland on the global stage in Shanghai. With insights into her challenges, triumphs, and a peek behind the curtain of the competitive world of mixology, this episode is a must-listen for cocktail enthusiasts and aspiring bartenders alike.

Key Takeaways:

Emily’s Early Beginnings:

Emily shares how her passion for hospitality started young, transitioning from breakfast service to bartending at Belfast’s iconic Burt’s Jazz Bar.

World Class Journey:

Emily details her two-year journey with the prestigious World Class competition, the lessons she learned, and how perseverance paid off when she became Ireland’s champion.

Breaking Barriers:

As one of the few female bartenders in such a high-profile competition, Emily emphasizes the importance of representation and building a supportive community in the industry.

Innovative Mixology:

Discover the creative cocktails Emily crafted for the competition, including a Ramos flip inspired by Irish traditions and a Mai Tai-inspired stirred martini with marmalade bitters.

Future of Belfast’s Cocktail Scene:

As the newly appointed manager of the Merchant Hotel’s cocktail bar, Emily shares her plans to inspire her team, launch a new menu, and mentor budding bartenders in competitions.

📸 Follow Emily for mixology magic:

Highlights from the Episode:

World Class Challenges: Insight into the intense rounds, including a speed cocktail challenge and a sustainable mixology initiative.
Community Impact: Emily’s project, "Bar whispers" fostering camaraderie in Belfast’s bar scene.
Global Stage: Emily’s experiences in Shanghai, from unexpected challenges to competing alongside the world’s best bartenders.
Bartending Techniques: Tips for innovative cocktails like fat washing, syrups, and using local ingredients.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Key Takeaways:

Emily’s Early Beginnings:

Emily shares how her passion for hospitality started young, transitioning from breakfast service to bartending at Belfast’s iconic Burt’s Jazz Bar.

World Class Journey:

Emily details her two-year journey with the prestigious World Class competition, the lessons she learned, and how perseverance paid off when she became Ireland’s champion.

Breaking Barriers:

As one of the few female bartenders in such a high-profile competition, Emily emphasizes the importance of representation and building a supportive community in the industry.

Innovative Mixology:

Discover the creative cocktails Emily crafted for the competition, including a Ramos flip inspired by Irish traditions and a Mai Tai-inspired stirred martini with marmalade bitters.

Future of Belfast’s Cocktail Scene:

As the newly appointed manager of the Merchant Hotel’s cocktail bar, Emily shares her plans to inspire her team, launch a new menu, and mentor budding bartenders in competitions.

📸 Follow Emily for mixology magic:

Highlights from the Episode:

World Class Challenges: Insight into the intense rounds, including a speed cocktail challenge and a sustainable mixology initiative.
Community Impact: Emily’s project, "Bar whispers" fostering camaraderie in Belfast’s bar scene.
Global Stage: Emily’s experiences in Shanghai, from unexpected challenges to competing alongside the world’s best bartenders.
Bartending Techniques: Tips for innovative cocktails like fat washing, syrups, and using local ingredients.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

The Rise of Savory Cocktails: Pushing the Flavor Boundaries

🍸 Welcome to another flavorful episode of the Cocktail Academy Podcast! Host Damian Cole dives into one of the most exciting trends shaking up the cocktail scene: savory cocktails. Forget the sugary, citrus-forward classics—this is all about bold umami, salty surprises, and earthy delights. From mushrooms and miso to parmesan and seaweed, bartenders are breaking new ground.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

What Are Savory Cocktails? How bartenders are redefining cocktail boundaries by incorporating unexpected ingredients like broth, cheese, and fermented elements.
Key Ingredients:
Mushrooms: Earthy and versatile for infusions and syrups.
Cheese: From parmesan to Pecorino, adding depth and intrigue.
Seaweed & Kelp: Oceanic flavors that bring a unique salinity.
Miso: Sweet, salty, and umami-packed syrup inspiration.
Brines: Beyond olive juice, homemade pickled vegetable brines are the new essential.
Techniques You Can Try:
Fat-Washing: From smoky bacon bourbon to coconut oil Campari, this technique adds texture and flavor.
Infusions: Master simple methods to unlock the flavor potential of savory ingredients.
Savory Cocktails Around the Globe: Discover standout drinks like the MSG Martini, Smoky Maria, Mole Negroni, and even a hot dog-inspired Weenie Martini.

Featured Drinks & Inspirations

MSG Martini - A gin martini elevated with MSG and brine, redefining umami elegance.
Mushroom Margarita - A tequila classic infused with earthy shiitake mushrooms.
Cold Pizza Cocktail (Double Chicken Please, NYC) - Tomato, parmesan, and mushroom combine for a liquid pizza experience.
Smoky Maria (Scarfes Bar, London) - Tequila, marmite, and smoked Clamato juice for a bold Bloody Mary twist.
Weenie Martini (Art in the Age, Philadelphia) - A hot dog-inspired vodka cocktail with all the savory garnishes.

Why Savory Cocktails Matter

Culinary Crossovers: The blurred lines between food and drink are opening up limitless creativity.
Elevated Palates: Today’s drinkers are more adventurous, embracing new flavor profiles.
Bartender Innovation: As mixologists explore savory flavors, they’re setting new standards for cocktail menus worldwide.

Try This at Home

Experiment with miso syrup in a margarita or sour.
Infuse your favorite spirit with seaweed or mushrooms.
Attempt a simple fat-wash using bacon or sesame oil.

Where Are Savory Cocktails Headed?

Damian predicts an even deeper integration of food and drink, with more chefs and bartenders collaborating to create bold, unexpected pairings. The possibilities for savory cocktails are endless, and this trend is here to stay!

Follow us for updates and cocktail inspiration

If you love the show, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Cheers! 🥂

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

The Creamy, Boozy World of Eggnog 🍹🎄

🎧 Episode Overview

In this week’s episode of the Cocktail Academy Podcast, we’re diving deep into one of the most iconic holiday drinks – eggnog. Love it or loathe it, this creamy concoction is steeped in history, bursting with indulgent flavors, and surprisingly easy to make. From its mysterious origins to a riotous military scandal, we explore the past, present, and endless possibilities of eggnog. Plus, Damian shares a bulletproof recipe and top tips to ensure your eggnog steals the show this festive season.

Key Topics We Cover

The Origins of Eggnog

How it evolved from medieval possets to a colonial American staple.
Theories behind the name "eggnog," including noggins (wooden cups) and grog (diluted rum).
Its transformation from a luxury drink of the upper class to a festive global tradition.

The Eggnog Riot of 1826

A West Point Military Academy Christmas party gone wild with smuggled Irish whiskey.
A chaotic two-day event that ended with court-martials and infamy.

Foolproof Eggnog Recipe

A creamy, boozy blend featuring eggs, cream, milk, sherry, rum, and Irish whiskey.
Easy variations for different spirits, plant-based options, and even aged eggnog.

Top Tips for Perfect Eggnog

Why whole nutmeg and high-quality ingredients matter.
The magic of aging eggnog for richer, smoother flavors.
How eggnog can double as a unique holiday gift.

Damian’s Eggnog Recipe

Make 1.5 liters of festive joy with these simple steps:

10 eggs – beaten until smooth.
300ml rich vanilla sugar syrup – for sweetness and depth.
250ml milk & 60ml cream – for creamy indulgence.
250ml each of sweet sherry, dark rum, and Irish whiskey – for a boozy kick.
1⁄2 grated nutmeg – for the perfect aromatic finish.
Mix, bottle, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Garnish with fresh nutmeg or cinnamon stick, and enjoy!

Eggnog Variations to Try

Coquito: Puerto Rican eggnog with coconut milk and condensed milk.
Tom and Jerry: A warm, spiced batter-based variation perfect for cold nights.
Dairy-Free Alternatives: Almond milk or oat milk for a plant-based twist.