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 Atlanta. Below, find out more about the New Jersey “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.
Brittney McLoyd
How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?
My personality has everything to do with how I approach bartending. Whether it’s interacting with my guest and keeping a smile on their faces, having fun with the flips, tricks and flair of it all and even taking the risk of mixing up different ingredients to ensure people enjoy my cocktails.
What makes Atlanta an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?
Atlanta is the perfect place to be in hospitality. All the amazing restaurants, lounges, hotels, and bars keep ATL on the map! This city showed me that what I thought was just a quick job to help me get through college could turn into a skilled craft that I would use for years to come.
What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influence to impact positive change in the industry?
As a Culture Shaker, I’ve been given the opportunity to interact with so many cultures in such diverse settings. I have the chance to cultivate a craft that introduces me to parts of the world that I haven’t yet traveled to all while making beautiful cocktails. Every bartender has the platform to teach and be taught, while at the same time, having fun and offering unique experiences. It’s more than just a cocktail, it is an art form. We have the opportunity to make a lasting impression.
Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.
I did a twist on a New York Sour. Sours are some of the most beloved drinks dating back to the first-ever published cocktail recipes.
A Gentleman’s Passion
- 1.5 oz. Gentleman Jack
- .75 oz. of Passionfruit purée
- .5 oz. Demerara syrup
- 1 oz. Fresh lemon juice
- .75 oz of Bordeaux wine
- 1 Egg white (optional)
Jeremy Hayes
How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?
I feel like my personality influences my bartending style by keeping it light-hearted but straight-forward. If you sit at my bar, I can make you a joke and a drink, or just a drink, it’s totally up to you. I can give you a Gentleman Jack & Coke or a full Gentleman Jack experience, what are you up for today?
What makes Atlanta an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?
Atlanta is an international hub for the world. There is always something going on in this beautiful city of ours. Whether it be The Final Four (basketball), The Big Game (football) or Cheerleading Championships, there’s always something major happening and the hospitality industry is always centerstage. There’s never a day that we can’t show our shine and give the world a taste of The ATL.
What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influence to impact positive change in the industry?
It’s an honor to be considered a Culture Shaker! Although I never considered myself to drive the culture of Atlanta, I’ve definitely lived deep inside of it throughout the years. I was raised in the OutKast/Freak-Nic era, partied in the Luda/Jeezy era, and have been bartending in our current era where Atlanta is going through a renaissance of things that are considered “Old Atlanta.” I think my influence as a Culture Shaker is that I honor “Old Atlanta” and always have the ability to take you on a trip to experience it, through my recipes and stories.
Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.
I used Gentleman Jack as a base to make a riff on an Old Fashioned, with a Peach Pecan Demarrara Syrup that I make in house. This cocktail encompasses the bold characteristics of an Old Fashioned with a Peach Pecan Demerara syrup, to accompany the Oak and Vanilla notes of Gentleman Jack. The subtle sweetness makes this a great after-dinner cocktail.
Gentleman’s Dessert
- 2 oz. Gentleman Jack
- .75 oz. Peach Pecan Demerara syrup
- 3 Dashes Angostura bitters
Raymond Sampson
How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?
Anybody who truly knows my personality knows I’m naturally reserved, methodical and chill. In the words of Fabolous “that Clinton hill chill,” as I am from Brooklyn, NY. New York is known for being expressive and the idea of “if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere” is an ethos I naturally embrace. Bartending allows me to express my yin and yang New York personality. I have the natural ability to adapt to all situations, whether fast-paced dive bars or meticulous craft speakeasies. I can present the elegant style of a knowledgeable mixologist or the entertainment of a flair bartender. My approach to bartending never changes though, which is to deliver an experience that leaves a lasting impression and possibly turning someone on to something new.
What makes Atlanta an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?
Atlanta is lit right now for hospitality. The city has been on an upswing of new building developments and city remodeling. It also has one of the busiest airports keeping tourists flowing in and out. It feels like every other week another new concept or restaurant is opening; keeping you on your toes against the competition while still learning from each other. The opportunities are endless! The appreciation of our skills has increased and our hospitality friendship circle definitely has fun!
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 feels like someone just gave me the aux cord for a road trip. Everyone is listening. To me, that means it is my time to shine and open eyes to different things that maybe have been slept on or overlooked. I’ve always been one to appreciate an underdog and to appreciate things not of the typical norm. As a Culture Shaker, I want to continue to positively impact the hospitality industry by educating the culture while expanding palates, refining practices and creating memorable experiences.
Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.
My signature cocktail is a riff on a classic cocktail called the Gold Rush which originated in New York. The original recipe calls for bourbon, honey, and lemon juice. My cocktail is composed of Gentleman Jack, lemon juice and a cilantro-peach honey syrup. I added a southern twang to the cocktail by incorporating peaches as a tip of the hat to ATL – my bartending career birthplace. I also sourced fresh honey from a local Georgia-based farm. The cilantro is added for expression and to give freshness to the cocktail. I like to play with eye-popper ingredients that make you wonder how a cocktail even began as an idea.
So Fresh & So Clean
- 2 oz. Gentleman Jack
- .75 oz. Lemon juice
- .75 oz. Peach cilantro honey syrup
Ana Escobar
How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?
Bartending is a form of expression for me, so when guests watch me work it gives them a little insight of who I am. My approach is to ask questions and understand a guest’s flavor palette – whether it be sweet, tart, dry or full of flavor. Customizing a drink for each guest creates a relationship between them and the bartender that builds trust and loyalty. Winning over a guest is the most important part of the job and that first drink just opens up the door to creating that connection. In crafting that very first drink and during that initial interaction, I am able to get a glimpse of their personality and they get a glimpse of mine.
What makes Atlanta an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?
Atlanta has been great to me. I moved out here from Houston and I began my journey in the Atlanta club and bar industry eight years ago. One thing about this city is we have a strong community of bartenders and we are all very close. Most of us know each other or have heard of one another by reputation. Most places that you walk into, you are more than likely to see a familiar face behind the bar. We are a tight group of bartenders who support and respect one another.
What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influence to impact positive change in the industry?
We stand in the front of a lot of these bars, lounges and restaurants and so, to some degree we become the face of those establishments. These businesses are built to provide a place for people to come eat, drink and coexist in upbeat environments. When we’re behind that bar, people believe us and trust us. We are given that opportunity to influence minds of those who consume from us as guests. Being a Culture Shaker is really an honor and a blessing. To receive recognition in an industry that I’ve dedicated so much time, energy and poured my love into is extremely gratifying. I hope to continue to influence, educate and share my love for what I do.
Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.
I wanted to try something a little more flavorful, tropical and out of the norms of whiskey use, so I came up with the Gentleman Vacation. The coconut flavor paired with citrus and a few dashes of bitters creates a tropical vacation vibe. I love the beach, I love vacations and I absolutely love coconut. I wanted to include all that in my cocktail so that I can present a bit of my personality through my drink.
Gentleman Vacation
- 2 oz. Gentleman Jack
- 2 oz. Fresh orange juice
- .25 oz. Fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz. Crème de coconut
- 2 Dashes of aromatic bitters
Brittany Fletcher
How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?
I consider myself to be very passionate about creating cocktails. My personality inspires me to try new techniques with each cocktail being created. I’m very good at what I do, so my goal is to always leave you with a great experience and good taste in your mouth to keep you coming back for more of my drinks. Most importantly, I will say being attentive, and really understanding what it is that customers are inquiring about is important. Seeing happy customers is the best part of the experience when I’m behind that bar.
What makes Atlanta an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?
Atlanta is the place to be! It is known for having lots of opportunities, but most importantly for the nightlife which I love. Being in nightlife, you come across and meet so many new people and experience so much of what Atlanta has to offer. Good restaurants, great vibes, good energy! Atlanta is just a fun city to be in, especially when you can craft it up with fun drinks.
What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influence to impact positive change in the industry?
It’s such a good feeling when you can take certain talents and creativity, and Pour that into crafting that’s what makes it unique. It’s such an experience when you can create something out of nothing. Being able to be more knowledgeable over the years of my experience bartending has been the best part of my culture. I’ve been bartending for years and with the experience and tools that I have learned I can honestly say I have become very skilled at learning new things everyday which allows me to enjoy my job at being the best bartender I can be.
Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.
Gentleman Jack is honored and celebrated in my cocktail because I love whiskey. I felt that with me being from the south and a Southern Bell, I wanted to dedicate the drink with my hometown which is why I decided the name the cocktail the Southern Gentleman Julep and create something that is very refreshing and tasty.
Southern Gentleman Julep
- 2 oz. Gentleman Jack
- .25 oz. Lemon juice
- .75 oz. Simple syrup
- .25 oz. Italian Amaro
- 1.5 oz. Sweet tea
- 1 Stem of mint
All Images for Culture Shakers Atlanta Class of 2022 credited to Jose Pereiro – @thecocktailshaker_
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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