Meet the Mixologist

Meet the Mixologist

MEET THE MIXOLOGIST

Melisa Lapido

Name: Melisa Lapido

Location: Ormond Beach, Florida, US

Instagram: @melis_boozy_cure

Experience:

15+ years experience in barservice, bartending & bar management.

Favourite cocktail and why:

Old Fashioned – a true classic that never goes out of style and is great to linger over.

How did you become a mixologist?

Having worked in the bar industry for over 10 years, I was fortunate enough to hone my craft and learn important lessons about every aspect of bar management. But nothing gripped me like bartending. As soon as I started mixing drinks I fell in love with the skill, craft and intelligence behind recipe creation and execution, and wanted to learn more and more.

What do you love about making cocktails?

Balancing flavours and exploring different combinations, because that’s how you find out what works and what can work better. I find that mocktail recipes are really rewarding to create, because to mimic a classic cocktail’s flavour after removing alcohol from the recipe is a real challenge. I also love riffing with old school classics like the Piña Colada, Mojito or Daiquiri and doing things a little differently. Some say ‘if it isn’t broken then don’t fix it’, but where’s the fun in that?

What’s the best rum recipe for beginners?

The Mojito. An absolute classic serve with a simple rum recipe. And, even if you don’t make the perfect mix, it still tastes like lying on warm sand in the hot Caribbean sun. It’s an iconic rum serve that all beginners should respect and is great to learn and to master. If low ABV cocktails are your thing, take a look at my healthy mocktail Mojito below. No rum, same great taste and perfect for Dry July.

Shop Mixology Rum Collection

What are the upcoming cocktails trends?

People are more health-conscious now, and that’s given rise to low ABV and non alcoholic cocktails. I don’t think that will change in the near future – mocktail recipes are here to stay. I also think people are really enjoying simple cocktails more now. People don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen mixing lengthy and complicated cocktails; they want simple cocktail recipes that contain easy and accessible ingredients, with lots of fresh fruits to elevate the colours.

What’s your favourite Waterford glass?

I’m in love with the new Mixology Rum collection, especially the Circon Tumbler and the Cicron Large Coupe. To me, the design of these glasses is sheer perfection. The circles around the base feel brilliant in your hand, and the typical generous weight of these Waterford glasses really elevates the occasion.

Melisa’s Mocktails & Shocktails

Kiwi Mojito Mocktail

  • In a cocktail shaker, crush together 1 peeled kiwi and 8 mint leaves and 2tbsp of simple syrup
  • Add lime juice, then fill your shaker with ice cubes and shake
  • Strain into a hi-ball glass over crushed ice and garnish with slices of fresh kiwi and mint.

Watermleon Daiquiri

  • In a cocktail shaker, crush 6 chunks of fresh watermelon
  • Add 85ml of light rum, 30ml of lavender syrup and 40ml of fresh lime juice
  • Fill your shaker with ice, attach a lid and shake.
  • Strain into a large coupe, garnish with a viola petal and enjoy.

Mixologist notes:

People becoming more health-conscious has given rise to low ABV cocktails. I don’t think that will change in the near future – mocktail recipes are here to stay.

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Meet the Mixologist

Meet the Mixologist

Meet The Mixologist

Natalie Ng

Name: Natalie Ng

Location: Sydney

Instagram: @nat_nsc, @doorknock_sydney

Experience:

I quit my job as a National Brand Ambassador for Diageo to open Door Knock. Having worked in the hospitality industry for over 15 years, Door Knock has been a dream come true. Door Knock is a speakeasy bar tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s CBD. Our focus is predominantly on great cocktails and an extensive spirits selection, but we are also very passionate about good quality wine.

  • Bacardi Legacy 2020 Top 3 Finalist
  • Australia Liquor Industry Awards Bartender of the Year 2018
  • Bar of The Year Finalist 2018 & 2019
  • Cocktail List of the Year Finalist 2018 & 2019
  • Time Out Best New Bar 2017

Favourite cocktail and why:

Tommy’s Margaritas, simple and delicious.

How did you become a mixologist?

I worked in a variety of cocktail and wine bars throughout university and ended up loving hospitality more than my real job as a radiologist.

What do you love about making cocktails?

There are constantly new weird and wonderful spirits and ingredients to work with, so it always remains fun and exciting to be able to come up with new cocktails. It is all about creating a memorable drinking experience for your guests, I love being able to create something for someone you just met, it is genuinely a great feeling.

What’s the best rum recipe for beginners?

Old Cubans! It’s like a classier and more celebratory Mojito. Shake rum, mint, lime and sugar then strain into a coupe or martini glass and top with your favourite sparkling wine (it is also fun to play with your ingredient ratios to suit your personal palate, some people like it sweeter and some people like it more on the sour side). Great for dinner parties!

What are the upcoming cocktails trends?

Spritz-style drinks and low ABV cocktails using products such and sherries and vermouth. Hopefully the focus on supporting locally made produce will also continue to rise.

What’s your favourite Waterford glass?

I love the whole Irish Dogs range (the decanters are amazing!), but if I had to choose, the Irish Dogs Madra Tumblers are stunning and an elegant stand out.

Shop Irish Dogs Collection

Natalie Ng Pride/Mardi Gras Cocktails

March is Pride Month in Australia, to celebrate, we have incorporated the theme into our mixologist cocktail series. Natalie was excited to collaborate with Waterford to create recipes with deeper meaning and did not fail to impress. Celebrate diversity in style, with drinks completely tailored to the occasion.

Sign of the Limes

Description:

Inspired by one of the greatest artists of all times, Prince! A true icon, ‘Sign of the Times’ was a socially conscious album with songs that have established a place in history. Prince is a must play on any Mardi Gras/Pride celebration playlist. This drink is dedicated to him…elegant, bold and a little bit sexy!

Ingredients:

  • 40ml Dark Rum
  • 15ml Kaffir Lime & Strawberry Infused Sweet Vermouth (cold infusion)
  • 10ml Honey Water
  • 2 dashes Orange Bitters
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Dehydrated strawberry slice and a Kaffir lime leaf for garnishing

Method:

  1. Add all ingredients into a cocktail mixer with ice and stir
  2. Place a large ice cube in a tumbler and strain the mix into the tumbler
  3. Tear a kaffir lime leaf and rub around the edge of the tumbler to release aroma
  4. Garnish with a dehydrated strawberry and a kaffir lime leaf

Mixologist notes:

To make the cold infusion, combine Sweet Vermouth, sliced strawberry & kaffir lime into a sous vide bag, if you have a vacuum seal machine, seal the bag using this to ensure all air is removed. Leave in the fridge overnight to infuse. If you do not have a vacuum seal machine, simply use a zip lock sandwich bag and leave overnight in fridge.

Pride Colada

Description:

To celebrate everything that is vibrant and joyous about Mardi Gras, there is nothing better than a tropical Piña Colada! This version is fresh, moorish and a little bit extra with the topping of champagne. A perfect drink to get any party started!

Ingredients:

  • 50ml White Rum
  • 10ml Suze
  • 30ml Fresh salted pineapple juice*
  • 30ml Coconut cream
  • 15ml Lemon Juice
  • 70ml Champagne
  • 2-3 dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters
  • Mint sprig and pineapple frong for garnishing

* Juice pineapples and add 2 pinches of sea salt for every 500ml of juice.

Method:

  1. Add the ingredients except the Champagne into a cocktail shaker
  2. Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a hurricane glass half filled with ice
  3. Top with Champagne
  4. Place crushed ice on top (if available)
  5. Add 3-4 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
  6. Garnish with mint sprig and a pineapple frong

To follow our “Meet The Mixologist” interviews, sign up to our newsletter where you will also be the first to hear about our latest collections, gift ideas for all occasions, exclusive offers and expert tips from Waterford’s designers and collaborators.