Bartender
The bartender
Kayla Reid
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A BARTENDER?
I had worked as a barista in specialty coffee for nearly 4 years before doing my first big overseas trip to Europe when I was 20. I remember seeing so many amazing bars and bartenders in my travels and felt intrigued by this side of the beverage world after developing a big passion for coffee. I told myself on that trip that when I got back to Australia I would up my skillset and dip my toe into bars to see how I went. Well, it turns out I was pretty good at it and loved it more than cafe and coffee life. I’ve been creating, competing and training ever since.
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE?
I think my influencers are forever changing, especially in a day and age where you have the power to know most things at your fingertips. I will say however, Anthony Bourdain has always been someone I have loved and respected from a very young age and that has remained constant, even before I knew that my career and passion would be in hospitality. He just got it. He was honest, raw and passionate - truly one of a kind.
Cocktail
The hero cocktail
Charlie Cobbler
A complex and fruity tipple. The coffee and plum in the Eau de Vie add layers of flavour complemented by balsamic sweet berries, white port and citrus.
Inspired by the classic Sherry Cobbler cross a St Charles Punch! I wanted to move away from the classic stirred down style you would generally find with a spirit of this style and do a churned and refreshing cocktail.
Ingredients
Feels Coffee, Plum and Ginseng Eau de Vie
White Port
Balsamic seasonal berries
Orange juice
Lime juice
Like this cocktail? The full recipe can be found in this year’s copy of the Top 25 Bartenders. Get your copy by clicking the button below.