Ask a Bartender

March 3, 2014

Ask a Bartender: The Chrysanthemum

by Kayoko Akabori

My alcohol tolerance is not what it used to be, sadly. The morning after a night of drinking just gets tougher and tougher. Hideko says, “You are no longer young.” WHAT?!?!? To curb this issue, I often order low-alcohol cocktails these days, like Vermouth or Sherry variations. They’re all the rage — the book Art […]

March 1, 2013

Ask a Bartender from Japan: The Art of Cleaning the Bar

by UM Guest

*We asked our friend, Mr. Tomokazu Kai of Heuga Bar in Gifu City, “What types of towels and products do you use to clean your bar?” Mr. Kai, ever the thorough and serious bar professional, responded with this eloquent statement. Thanks Kai-san! Written by TOMOKAZU KAI Translated by YOKO KUMANO For cleaning the bar, I […]

November 2, 2012

Ask a Bartender: Why Aren’t Bitters Used in Japan?

by Kayoko Akabori

Here’s a column idea that’s been brewing for a while: asking bartenders in Japan about their techniques, methods and current cocktail trends. Our first bartender is Mr. Tomokazu Kai, winner of Suntory’s 2011 Cocktail Award. Kai-san bartends at Heuga Bar in Gifu prefecture, and we had the pleasure of meeting him back in February for […]