Gentleman Jack “Culture Shakers” is a program created to celebrate Black and Hispanic bartenders who are on the rise, shaking up cocktail culture in their cities and crafting their own legacies behind the bar.
For 2023, we are continuing to shine 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 Detroit. Below, find out more about the Detroit “Culture Shakers” presented by Gentleman Jack.
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 who takes the extra step to craft what’s real and strives to leave a legacy – just like the Gentleman Jack Culture Shakers Class of 2023.
Leslie Williams
How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?
I can describe my personality as, very simply, pretty complex. I’m a well-rounded person – fun, real, very much in touch with my emotions who likes to share and teach. I think those vibes come out in my approach to cocktails. I’m never afraid to try something different and I love putting my customers on to new, fresh & bold ideas. From my experience, many of our customer base in Detroit tend to prefer pretty simple cocktails and drinks. And most bartenders tend to stick to those simple concoctions and familiar favorites that everyone loves because that’s what brings in the money and regular customer base. While I love the simplicity, I think it’s always important to expand the mind and palate – starting with a blank slate and building on top of what they already know. Someone may not like spicy food but might enjoy a pineapple habanero margarita. Another person may be into fruity sweet wines, but that doesn’t mean a bold Cabernet paired with pecorino cheese and fig jam can’t get their attention. It all boils down to a willingness and openness to trying something new. Coming to my bar is always welcoming a surprise. I think who I am as a person directly reflect that’s image.
What makes Detroit an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?
Detroit is my city. We’re going through a major renaissance in Detroit that is just so exciting to be a part of right now as we put ourselves back on the map. What makes Detroit different than other places is the people and the history. Whether you are downtown, in the new Oz, which was once ruins; whether you experience our own little Black Rodeo Drive on Livernois Fashion Avenue; or you go experience the internationalism of Cork Town. There is a story while we have many new things, new buildings, new experience which I’m so proud of my city for, we never lost who we really are. You can tell that when you visit our dive bars, and you see real working hard, blue collar folks. You can tell when you visit one of our many speakeasies throughout the city, which are hidden in alleyways you wouldn’t dare walk 20 years ago , and marked by the air of the history of prohibition. Even visiting some of our new establishments, propelled forward by the new wave of entrepreneurs out city birthed. Our people and our history is incomparable. You’ll get a story, you’ll get the history, you’ll get the bad and the ugly, and walk away with a greater appreciation and understanding of the real Detroit.
What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influence to impact positive change in the industry?
Being a Culture Shaker means moving the needle off the scale and saying there is no scale when it comes to being a social innovator. And with that mentality comes fearlessness. Trusting in yourself, believing that your ideas and the content you put out on a daily basis has a value and has already made history. A Culture Shaker is someone who isn’t afraid to say no. They disagree, and commit. However, at the same time, they are forever a student and the world is their classroom as they continue to perfect and master their craft. I think it’s important for the up & coming future generations of bartenders to not be afraid of to be their own self. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. And, if you don’t try something off of the book, outside of the classroom, outside of your own understanding, it’ll be hard for you to keep falling in love with this art, and that’s what’s most important. You have to love what you do, and if you don’t, change it.
Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.
Gentleman’s Jack is bold and savvy, just like my style of bartending. It represents my personality and my cocktails.
Winnie M
- 2 oz. Gentleman Jack
- .5 oz. Orange Liqueur
- .5 oz. Sweetened Lime Juice
- 3 Dashes of Angostura Bitters
- Ginger Beer to top
Combine Gentleman Jack, orange liqueur, sweetened lime juice and bitters in a shaker with ice, and shake until well chilled. Rim the glass with the lemon peel. Pour mix into a highball glass. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a skewer of lemon peel and a honey dipped maraschino cherry.
Monique Richberg
How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?
I have been bartending for 25 years and it’s been a very good experience. I’ve had the opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and learn about many different cultures. Sometimes people come to the restaurant just to see me, I’ve made it their happy place where they can relax and enjoy good company. You never know what someone is going through in this crazy world, so I believe simply being a good listener makes people’s day. I wouldn’t trade bartending for anything in the world!
What makes Detroit an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?
Working in the city of Detroit has been a great experience. Downtown Detroit has many festivals, concerts and sporting events which brings out all different types of different people from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. “The city,” as we affectionately call it, is right on the border of Canada, so we get many different cultures of people. The restaurant where I currently work is right in the heart of downtown and has been a great place to work and a even better place to make new friends.
What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influence to impact positive change in the industry?
Being a Culture Shaker is a great opportunity to inspire me to learn new drinks and show my talent to others. I appreciate be recognized as a bartender and how my job positively affects many people.
Salted Caramel Apple Jack
- 1.5 oz. Gentleman Jack
- .5 oz. Salted Caramel Cream Liqueur
- .5 oz. Apple Liqueur
Combine ingredients; serve up in a caramel-drizzled martini glass
Tiara Porter
How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?
I’m a very assertive person, I’m very direct and I want things a certain way. My approach to bartending is the same way, it’s always “get it done’ and have fun.
What makes Detroit an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?
What is exciting about the industry right now is that for the first time in the city, hospitality careers are at the forefront. Front of the house is up & coming and finally being taken seriously, so I’m excited to be apart of that.
What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influence to impact positive change in the industry?
Being a Culture Shaker to me means not only being able to perform on my own but also able to help the ones after me progress as well, to help to pour into the next shakers after me. I use my influence to help others become an influencers. I want to teach someone what someone else has already taught me and pay it forward.
Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.
Gentleman Jack was the ideal base spirit because of its flavor profile all on its own. You can taste oak and cinnamon with a little toast and roast too along with other spices and even a little citrus. My goal with this cocktail was to just play off of that flavor profile, so that I wouldn’t jeopardize the integrity of the spirit itself and basically create a cocktail that would complement the flavor the spirit already has.
Homage
- 2oz Gentleman Jack
- .75oz Spiced Pear
- .75oz Honey Syrup
- .5oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 3 Drops Rose Water
- 7 Dash Fee Foam
- Caramelized Pecan Garnish
All photography for Culture Shakers Detroit by Katy Meininger
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. GENTLEMAN JACK AND JACK DANIEL’S ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS. ©2023 JACK DANIEL’S. TENNESSEE WHISKEY, 40% ABV, JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY, LYNCHBURG, TN.
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