After the elaborate lunch, we attended the Masterclass with Coventry-born mixologist Chris Moore, who is currently on tour with World On A Plate. He is the man behind Coupette, a bar started in 2017 in Bethnal Green, London. In the 30-minute session, Chris spoke about what makes his approach towards the art of mixology different and his brainchild, Coupette. “Bartending is about discovery — each day, you learn something new and that adds value to whatever you make. I like to categorise cocktails into three kinds — flavour-led, classic or a mash-up and concept drinks,” says the 35-year-old.
What started as a part-time job soon became a passion for Chris, which led him to take up bartending as a career option. “Every time I visited a bar, I would be intrigued to know what happens on the other side. I was 18 when I first tried my hand at it and enjoyed it. Back then, bartending wasn’t considered a profession, but today, things are changing for the good,” he shares. His signature cocktail, Champagne Pina Colada, also placed Coupette on 2019’s World’s Best Bars list at position 23.
Giving us a list of easy-cocktails to make at home, he says, “A gin-based martini with orange bitters — make it as cold as you can. A simple daiquiri is a good option. Most people don’t consider gin tonic as a cocktail, but there’s so much variety on what you can do with it. It’s one of my favourites.”