Derek Alexander - Bartender of the Month May 2010

After nearly a decade of pouring drinks and paying dues on the Chicago cocktail scene, Derek Alexander has arrived. Carving out his voice in the reclaimed wood and rustic confines of Longman & Eagle located in the Logan Square neighborhood, Derek builds cocktails that focus on old-school recipes, contemporary cooking technique and locally sourced ingredients.

A veteran of Blackbird and The Bristol, Derek earned his chops under the tutelage of Steven Carrow. In between his intensive trainings at Bristol and “The Bird” he spent the summer of 2008 studying the style and finesse of Tokyo’s elaborate cocktail scene. Now, at the lead of Longman’s 100 plus whiskeys, a laundry list of bitters and other fine spirits, Derek offers weekly drink specials, a regular rotation of unique, exceptional cocktails and plenty of “whiskey for drinking.” BLACK SEAL SWIZZLE (created by Derek Alexander) 2oz. Gosling's Black Seal Rum 1/4oz. Bitter Truth Kraüter Liquor EXR 1/2oz. fresh lime juice 1/2oz. gomme syrup 10 mint Leaves crushed ice mint for garnish Place the 10 mint leaves in the drinking vessel. Add the lime and gomme syrup and gently muddle the mint leaves with a bar spoon to gently extract the mint oils without tearing the mint to shreds. Add crushed ice. Pour in the Gosling's Black Seal Rum and Kraüter Liquor over the ice. Churn your swizzle stick or bar spoon in the vessel until it creates a bit of frost. Take a stalk of mint garnish with mint leaves. Longman & Eagle 2657 N. Kedzie Ave Chicago, IL 60647 Tel: 773.276.7110

Chris Cohen - Bartender of the Month

Chris Cohen was born and raised in Washington, DC. He has been bartending for over seven years at bars, restaurants, and hotels in the area. Prior to his work in the hospitality industry, he studied economics at The George Washington University. "I realized pretty early that I didn't want to be in banking. I decided that I wanted to be involved in the best part of people's day. At the office, people are stressed out, frustrated, and tired. At the bar, people are relaxed, laughing, and at ease. It was the best decision I ever made, the positivity completely changed my quality of life."

Chris has been at the Jefferson Hotel for a year and a half, and his passion for hospitality has only grown in this environment. "People often ask me whether I consider myself a bartender or a mixologist. The answer is neither. I consider myself a host. If people want to talk to me about cocktail history and have me make unique drinks for them, that is great, but I am just as happy to serve iced tea to somebody who wants to read a newspaper. If my guest is comfortable, I am comfortable."

Chris also has a passion for traditional cocktails. "My father was in the Foreign Service and raised me with an international sensiblility. I love the historical and cultural elements of cocktails and wine. There are such great stories and rich histories behind food and drinks. Eating and drinking are emotional activities. Find anybody that has been away from their childhood home for awhile and ask them about their favorite foods and drinks from home. They could go on forever. I still go to the Thai restaurant my parents took me to since I was three years old. It looks the same, tastes the same, and I always feel secretly tempted to order a Virgin Pina Colada like I did when I was nine. I never do it though."

"Gosling's is a rum that taps into that rich cultural tapestry. It is a traditional rum that pays homage to the people of Bermuda, the island's history, and the origin of the great Dark 'n Stormy cocktail. If you don't use Bermudan ginger beer you simply are not doing justice to the cocktail. When I make a Dark 'n Stormy for myself, I only use Black Seal Rum, Bermudan Ginger Beer, and I usually sprinkle a little cayanne pepper on top. Nothing is every spicy enough for me."

Bianca Scott - Bartender of the Month

Bianca Scott works at the Downtown Cocktail Room, an intimate cocktail room and speakeasy in the heart of Las Vegas. Downtown Cocktail Room has quickly become Las Vegas' most prominent and respected cocktail bar with seasonal menus and amazing hand-crafted cocktails. Bianca has been mixing cocktails at the Downtown Cocktail Room for just over one year. Previous to working at the Downtown Cocktail room, her work experience dealt mostly with art and business.  Bianca’s favourite Gosling’s Rum cocktail is the Castaway (Gosling’s adaptation), made with chunks of fresh mango, agave syrup, fresh lime juice and Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, mixes perfectly with the down-tempo musical soundtrack and upbeat conversations. When Bianca is not working she studies at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas (UNLV) as an Art History Major. Bianca enjoys film and digital photography as a hobby and recently, she co-starred in a friend’s independent short film that debuted at UNLV’s annual film festival. On her nights off from work she frequents local venues in Las Vegas in an effort to support local music as much as possible. As a mixologist, Bianca would say that she is slowly emerging from her academic period into early impressionism. Watch out for when she goes post-modern! Castaway (Recipe adapted from Absinthe Brasserie & Bar in San Francisco, CA.) 1½ oz. Gosling’s Black Seal Rum 4 chunks fresh mango ½ oz. agave syrup ½ oz. fresh lime juice Serve in a chilled cocktail glass with a mint garnish. For further information, please contact: Downtown Cocktail Room Tel: 702.880.3696

Amber Williams is our Bartender of the Month for Janaury 2012

Amber Williams is our Bartender of the Month for Janaury 2012. A native of Lebanon, Maine, Amber is a seasoned veteran serving and bartending for over 7 years. After previously working at Sugarloaf at Seth Westcott's "The Rack", Amber can be currently found mixing "Dark ‘n Stormys" in the Legends Restaurant at Sunday River.

Amber loves to snowboard; which makes working at Sunday River the ideal place to avail of the slopes on one of New England’s largest ski resorts. She is one of Legends featured servers at their prestigious North Peak Dinners each Saturday night during the ski season – January 21st, 2012 is the Gosling’s Rum Dinner at North Peak! 

For further information please visit:
Legends Restaurant
located at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel
97 Summit Road, Newry, ME 04261
Tel: 207.824.5858

Alisha is a bartender at the busy Park City location of The Star Bar. The former Plan B has been renovated and is one of Park City’s premier live music venues.

Alisha has been working at The Star Bar for three years. She says “Meet me at The Star Bar to enjoy a Dark ‘n Stormy®, Bermuda’s National cocktail, made with Gosling's Black Seal Rum and ginger beer - It's the ultimate classic island drink”. 

When Alisha is not working she enjoys live concerts such as John Butler Trio and John Meyer, hiking, running, snowshoeing, biking, snowboarding and camping. Alisha holds a degree from the University of Utah in Child Development and hopes someday to open a knitting shop.

Join Alisha and her friends at The Star Bar and enjoy great music and Gosling’s Rum.

The Star Bar
Located at the top of Main Street
268 Main Street, Park City, UT 84060

Hal Brock, the Flavorist and Bar Manager at Hearsay Gastro Lounge in Houston, TX

It's Bartender of the Month time! Mr. September is Hal Brock, the Flavorist and Bar Manager at Hearsay Gastro Lounge in Houston, TX. After almost a decade in the industry and the creative juices to fill a small sea, his cocktails are far from ordinary. His experience in Indian, Latin American and Asian cuisine gives way to a mix of exotic flavors and local ingredients that never disappoints.

Congrats Hal - can't wait to try your signature cocktail below! Cheers!

LA SIGUA

1.5 oz Gosling's Black Seal Rum
1 oz Ginger Beer
.5 oz simple syrup
medium-sized strawberry
orange peel

Muddle a medium strawberry with .5 oz simple syrup. Add 1.5 oz. Gosling's Black Seal and shake vigorously about 10 times. Strain over fresh rocks. Flame an orange peel over the glass and then top with about 1 oz ginger beer. Stir to spread the orange oil and serve without a straw.

Bartender of the Month for October - Nick Roosa of One and One in New York

It's time for Gosling's Bartender of the Month for October. Congrats to Nick Roosa of One and One in New York, NY! He pours a mean Dark n' Stormy, so if you're ever in the neighborhood (the East Village) check him out.

Now we're getting thirsty.

Fatih Akerdem, master bartender from Germany created this fantastic cocktail made with Gosling's Black Seal Rum.

Fatih Akerdem, master bartender from Germany created this fantastic cocktail made with Gosling's Black Seal Rum.
THE PRESIDENT
1 1/2 oz Gosling's Black Seal Rum
1 oz Maraschino Liqueur
1 oz lemon juice
1 oz passion fruit liqueur or syrup
Shaken vigourosly over ice, and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Delicious!