Introducing the 2022 Gentleman Jack Culture Shakers: Atlanta Edition

Gentleman Jack “Culture Shakers” celebrates Black and Hispanic bartenders who are shaking up culture in their cities and crafting legacies behind the bar. As a smooth and approachable Tennessee whiskey that utilizes a second charcoal mellowing process to achieve greatness, Gentleman Jack strives to embrace the creator in us all. “Culture Shakers” recognizes those who take the extra step to creatively craft what’s genuine, exciting and boundary pushing and who strive to leave a legacy on the hospitality culture in their city.

For 2022, we are shining a light on a new class of bartenders, kicking off with an impressive group of creatives who are pushing boundaries and shaking up bar culture in Atlanta, Georgia. Below, find out more about the Atlanta “Culture Shakers”.

Eric Nathan (he/him)

How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?

I like the dynamics in which herbs, vegetables and fruits can blend with the spirit. I appreciate a visual aspect to a cocktail to make it vibrant and colorful. I believe that people drink with their eyes. I really get a kick out of surprising my guests with flavors that they normally wouldn’t expect blended together like carrots with ginger and mango. I’m passionate about creating a “wow factor” in my cocktails.

What makes the city you live/work in an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?

The community is welcoming of collaboration and network.

What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influence to impact positive progress in the industry?

We are the tastemakers of Atlanta, expressing mixology as a true art and craft. We in Atlanta want to evangelize a message that we have a strong thriving culture in cuisine and mixology.

Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.

I’m really big on muddling ingredients. I absolutely love a herb and fruit blends so I muddled basil and green apple together, which has a tremendous aromatic value. I added ginger liquor, lime, lemon and fresh orange juice and agave. Add Gentleman Jack, shake and double strain into a Collins Glass. Garnish with Basil sprigs.

Atl Smash recipe

1.5 oz. Gentleman Jack
Muddled green apple and basil
.5 oz. lime and lemon juice
.5 oz. orange juice
.75 oz. agave syrup
.5 oz. ginger liqueur
Serve in Collins Glass

Amber Martinez (she/they)

How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?

I like to think of myself as an open minded individual. I’m adventurous and always willing to try different hobbies, foods, and spirits. That mindset carries over into the creation of my cocktails. Experimenting and combining different flavors is so exciting because you never know what you’re going to discover on the other side of that process.

What makes the city you live/work in an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?

Atlanta is continuously growing so there’s a variety of new restaurants and bars opening in different corners of the city. As an entertainment hub, Atlanta brings a variety of people from across the country and world who bring with them their cultures and ideas – not to mention the wonderful BIPOC community that have helped shape the hospitality industry in this vibrant city.

What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influence to impact positive progress in the industry?

For me, being a Culture Shaker means being completely unapologetically myself. I know that’s cliche but growing up, I spent a lot of quiet moments not really liking myself. And it’s crazy but I don’t think I really began to come into my own again until I started bartending. It felt liberating to be in a space where individuals of all different backgrounds could come together, have a cocktail and really connect with one another. Over time, I noticed the people who came to my bar felt free to open up and be themselves with me. They would talk about their day, relationships and ongoing struggles. And in turn, I felt comfortable enough to do the same. I think that’s all any of us want, to be heard, seen and truly understood by others.

Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.

When tasting Gentleman Jack, I immediately picked up on the vanilla, oak and honey notes. I wanted to create a drink that reminded me of spring in the south. So I decided to make my own shrub with rhubarb and tarragon which I thought would pair nicely with the spirit. Adding a few dashes of orange bitters helped to cohesively bond those flavors. And then I topped the ingredients off with soda water which created this light and refreshing cocktail.

A Dream of Spring recipe

2 oz. Gentleman Jack
.75 oz. Elderflower liqueur
2 oz. rhubarb tarragon shrub
Few drops of orange bitters
Top with club soda

Khasem Lyles (he/him)

How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?

I am creative and have the ability to listen to patrons as they feel the need to express themselves. Most of the time I have someone who either is curious to try something new or they don’t know what to order so my technique is to basically freestyle. Get to know the patron a bit just enough to know that they would be interested in whatever cocktail I make. Me being creative curates my style.

What makes the city you live/work in an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?

Atlanta has been controlling the hospitality scene for a long time now. The culture here is hospitality. We are a melting pot full of many different people, cultures and experiences so there is always excitement in the city.

What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influence to impact positive progress in the industry?

To me it’s very much important to be recognized for doing something you love. Bartending is a job we take because we love this craft that we own and share our gifts everyday to make other’s happy.

Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.

I call the cocktail The Perfect Gentleman, because of its sweet but bold taste and pungent aroma – amazing qualities of the perfect gentleman.

The Perfect Gentleman recipe

2 oz. Gentleman Jack
.5 oz. lemon basil syrup
.5 oz. lemon juice
.75 oz. mango purée
1 sprig fresh rosemary
3 fresh basil leaves

Breon Reynolds (he/him)

How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?

I like to think of my personality being very adaptable to most situations and able to be what I need to be at any moment that requires it. If I need to put my head down and knock out tickets on service I’m there for that. If I need to be someone who’s entertaining and educating my guests on spirits I can also bring that to the table. Finally if I have to work at more of a high speed club environment I can also excel at that.

What makes the city you live/work in an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?

Atlanta, Georgia — no matter what you may think of it — took a very direct opening strategy during the pandemic. That being the case, those restaurants that did manage to navigate the reopening process truly found a new kind of footing. This emphasized restaurants who were doing it right versus those who weren’t. I think most surviving restaurants took advantage of this and highlighted what their guests truly wanted to see from them. Atlanta has always been an up and comer in the hospitality but with each year that passes rapid growth in the area always seems to come.

What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influence to impact positive progress in the industry?

Being a Culture Shaker is a real honor to me since, honestly, I leave things like staying in the spotlight on a brand level to others. I tend to just enjoy laying low and just enjoying the connections I’ve made on a more personal level. These personal connections found a way to still inspire this nomination and I couldn’t be more proud.

Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.

My cocktail’s inspiration with Gentleman Jack came from combining the robust flavors of the spirit to where I currently work. As a rum bar we typically have many cocktails that feature rum. We don’t usually emphasize tiki with our cocktail selections but I thought it would be interesting to infuse the flavors of Gentleman Jack and bring it into the land of tiki with a bit of a fusion.

The Gentleman’s Secret

2 oz. Gentleman Jack
.75 oz. lemon juice
.75 oz. housemade Caribbean Syrup
.5 oz. orgeat
.25 oz. honey
Garnished with a blended rim of S.S.C.P. (Sugar, salt, cayenne and smoked paprika)

Tianna Dodd (she/her)

How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?

I believe my quiet demeanor allows me to make more intimate connections with my bar guests. I want my guests to feel like they are walking into my home and receiving genuine hospitality. I like curating individual experiences with guests, whether you’re celebrating an accomplishment or problem solving or anything in between.

What makes the city you live/work in an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?

Atlanta is constantly growing in the food and beverage industry and women/men of color are constantly being recognized and highlighted within their craft and leadership roles. Atlanta is always influencing culture around the world, and I am grateful to be a part of the creativity.

What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influence to impact positive progress in the industry?

A Culture Shaker represents being bold with your creative thinking and empowering your peers to do the same. Being a Culture Shaker inspires me to be innovative within my craft and setting new standards. Bartenders can use their influence by openly sharing knowledge and technique. Continuous learning and being inquisitive behind the bar and in the kitchen. Also, turning adversity into opportunity.

Pinky Promise

2 oz. Gentleman Jack
.25 oz. vanilla bean-infused Campari
.25 oz. infused spiced Falernum syrup
2 dashes of Regans Orange Bitters
Garnish with a flamed orange peel

Enjoy Gentleman Jack responsibly. For more on Gentleman Jack, visit https://www.jackdaniels.com/en-us/whiskey/gentleman-jack and follow @jackdaniels_us on Instagram.