With over 12 years of experience, Afzal Kaba is among India’s leading mixologists. Starting off at Mocha’s in the suburb of Bandra in Mumbai, Afzal began by reading the labels on the bottles at the wine bar and his interest in mixing spirits grew. After his original dream — to study fashion — didn’t work out, Afzal enrolled at the Stir Academy and began studying bartending. At the same time, he got a job at a club and after a difficult first week — “I had never worked as a bartender before,” Afzal recalled, “but with the help of my co-bartender, I managed to learn on the job!” — there was no looking back. He’s now especially noted for his “flairtending” (flair bartending) skills.
Last week, Afzal was at The Bar Stock Exchange in Mumbai, launching a new cocktail menu and mixing up drinks like Walking Jars (two Johnnie Walkers — double black and red — mixed with jam, sage and nutmeg), Smirnoff Lemongrass Mules (Smirnoff black, ginger ale, lemongrass and chilly), Lavender Parkers (Sarah Jessica Parker’s favourite drink from Sex and the City, but with a twist of lavender) and a whole lot more!
Afzal told us that the difference between a “bartender” and a “mixologist” is the same as that between “a tailor and a designer”. “Both of them are professionals, but the depth in each profession is different,” he explained. “The bartender pours drinks while a mixologist is a modern term used to describe someone who makes cocktails that are creative, balanced, taste good…And then there is ‘flairtending’, which is bartending with style and delivering entertainment.”
Of all the venues he’s worked at, Afzal enjoys cocktail bars and night clubs the most. “There is something positive about these kinds of venues — probably the high energy levels and the buzz…” he said. “I see these venues as a place to display my skill set and be appreciated.” And while he mixes up drinks in style at these venues, he’s privy to a whole host of crazy anecdotes! Afzal recounted for us an instance when he was conducting a masterclass in cocktails for the employees of a multinational firm. TO his embarrassment, his portable bar broke just when he was demonstrating a particular cocktail! Then there are all those people who spill their private stories and problems to their friends at the bar — not paying attention to the fact that the mixologist is standing just a few steps away!
Coming back to the subject of spirits, Afzal’s absolute favourite to work with is whisky. “It has lot of character. Even when mixed, it stands out and adds that special touch to the drink,” he said. Simple, refreshing cocktail are what Afzal likes to create — or as he said, “classic cocktails with a twist, with special Indian flavours”.
As for what he likes to drink when he’s unwinding with family and friends — it’s Black Label on the rocks, all the way. When he’s in the mood for a cocktail, he has a caipirinha with Double Black Label. “I know a lot of whisky guys will hate me for this,” Afzal said, laughing. “But I like it and accept it.”
How to make Afzal’s Caipirinha
To make Afzal’s favourite caipirinha, take half a lime, cut it into four and muddle in a double rocks glass with two spoons of demerara sugar. Fill with crushed ice and a double shot of Black Label (or Double Black) and stir well. Fill with some more crushed ice and garnish with a lime wedge.
