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 New York. Below, find out more about the New York “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.
Abraham Fagun
How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?
Being an Aries, I tend to be fiery, passionate and understanding. That plays into my relationships with both my craft and my clientele. I am extremely detailed, and my personality creates a raving environment for whomever dares to come in and have fun!
What makes New York an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?
Plain and simple my answer is: HARLEM!
One of the most culturally diverse and also family friendly neighborhoods in all of New York City. As everything in Harlem is so family oriented, when I go into work, I think of my colleagues as my family. This family environment makes every shift more enjoyable and more fulfilling, which allows me to embrace my environment, showcase my craft and ensure customers are having fun, dancing and enjoying the ambience feeling like family.
What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influences to impact positive progress in the industry?
I am really honored to be a part of this year’s Culture Shakers program as it will further amplify my voice, craft and brand more deeply into the heart of New York and beyond. The Culture Shaker program is a stepping stone and a way to learn and grow alongside other bartenders.
Through this program, I hope to be able to demonstrate to those in this industry to keep your head. While the industry can be rigorous, it is up to you to be the best you can and you will succeed.
Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.
The reason I chose Gentleman Jack is in the name itself: it’s a gentleman’s drink.
If you really sip and adhere to its flavors, you can truly taste the roasted caramel along with elevated spices. It blends in perfectly well with the violet essence, that represents Jill – the Violet – and gives it a well balanced floral dynamic. It is also interesting how the other flavors as the orange marmalade give in to the caramel and give it a bit of sweet and tangy. If I really explained this dynamic it could take books lol.
As for Gentleman Jack, What’s not to like? It’s the perfect blended whiskey. You can’t go wrong ever.
Jack And Jill
- 1.5 oz. Gentleman Jack
- 1.25 oz. Egg Whites
- .5 oz. Lemon Juice
- .75 oz. Violet Flower Syrup
- .5 oz. Blood Orange
- 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
- .75 oz. Herbal Scotch Whiskey Liquuer
- 3 bar Spoons of Orange Marmalade
- 3 drops of Blk
Combine all ingredients in your cocktail shaker. Shake extremely vigorously for 10 seconds, take the ice out then dry shake vigorously. Double strain the content slowly into the Coupe Glass. Garnish with grated orange zest and Blk drops.
Riki Santos
How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?
My personality plays a major influence when it comes to my work crafting cocktails and creating new bonds between flavors. I can be strong, yet classy and delicate at the same time.
What makes New York an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?
I am located in the best city in the world, New York City! It’s very exciting to be part of New York City’s comeback after the hard times we had these past few years during and after the pandemic lockdowns. This city has shown me that New York may stumble, but always comes back stronger than ever. New York’s comeback and elevation within the industry is an amazing feeling and I’m happy to be a part of it.
What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influences to impact positive progress in the industry?
Being a Culture Shaker means the world to me. It allows me the opportunity to highlight my culture and my love of growing up as a Latino in New York City. I hope to inspire all bartenders incorporate their day-to-day life, their personal history and elements of nostalgia into their craft. Using these key parts of ourselves and mixing them into an amazing cocktail allows guest to feel that soul, the love and nostalgia.
Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.
Gentleman Jack helps elevate my cocktail to the next level. It gives it a richness and smoothness that I absolutely love. Gentleman Jack blends perfectly my into my cocktail enhancing ingredients including orange, coffee and chocolate, which are foods that I consume on a daily basis.
El Viejo Jack
- 2 oz. Gentleman Jack
- 1 Wedge Muddled Orange
- .5 oz. Coffee Liqueur
- .5 oz. Chocolate Crème Liqueur
- 1 bar spoon Spanish Herbal Vanilla Liqueur
A wedge of orange should be added to a mixing glass along with coffee liquor then muddle; then add Gentleman Jack. Add one bar spoon of the Spanish herbal vanilla liqueur, add chocolate crème liquor, add ice and stir until chilled. Garnish with an orange peel to a chilled nick and nora glass after a double strain to bring out more flavors and aromas.
Enrique Tapia
How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?
Being social is a part of my personality. When I started in the hospitality industry, I quickly recognized that it was the perfect opportunity to explore and expand new ways to express myself through bartending. Being able to work in an environment that involves art, culture, music, memories and nostalgia is a great fit for me.
What makes New York an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?
New York is already a major influence for the entire global hospitality industry. So you can definitely feel the pressure to step up and the need to be creative. I work in a neighborhood with a lot of diversity so it is impossible to not find inspiration here; it is all around me.
What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influences to impact positive progress in the industry?
Being a Culture Shaker is both an honor and great opportunity. It’s also a motivating and inspirational force to support my career moving forward. Culture Shakers are those the industry who use their influence by sharing their knowledge, techniques and creating that environment where the guests can come together to enjoy a nice cocktail. Some advice I share with other bartenders is to be intuitive and have the ability to turn any bad moments into positive learning experiences.
Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.
I decided to use Gentleman Jack in the most gentle way without losing the main essences of the spirit by infusing Gentleman Jack with butter popcorn. This infusion blends well with Gentleman Jack’s vanilla, caramel notes.
Being in an environment that involves art, culture and music, I remixed the classic Jack & Coke with a D’Antigua twist, AKA D’Antigua Jackpop, served in a Collin glass with a hint of lemon Oleo-Saccharum and garnished with popcorn. This cocktail is refreshing and goes perfect with every single item in our menu.
D’Antigua Jack-Pop
- 2 oz. Popcorn-infused Gentleman Jack
- .25 oz. Lemon Oleo-Saccharum
- Top with Coca-Cola
Served on the rocks in a Collins glass; garnish with popcorn
Pablo Ayala
How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?
I have a fun and energetic approach to my bartending. It’s not only just about the drink, but the whole experience that I am delivering to any guest who sits at my bar. I always keep a positive attitude and a smile on my face, as I wholeheartedly believe that the guests feel the love whenever you show them that you care for your craft.
What makes New York an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?
Jackson Heights is an exciting part of the city to work and it is full of diversity. Each street block you cross, you will find yourself transported to a different part of the world. You can listen to Colombian music on one street and then eat handmade Mexican tacos on then next street. There is a new adventure around each corner.
What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influences to impact positive progress in the industry?
Our duty as Culture Shakers, and that of all bartenders, is to provide a welcoming experience to all of our guests. I believe if you simply show that you care for your craft and care for the guests experience, everything else will follow and fall into place.
Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.
Gentleman Jack’s flavor pairs well with this tropical spin on a classic cocktail which is a balance between sweet and bold like an Elephant.
El Elefante
- 2 oz. Gentleman Jack
- .75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- .25 oz. Pineapple Purée
- .25 oz Simple Syrup
- Egg whites
- Dash of Angostura Bitters
Cesar Aquino
How does your personality influence your bartending approach, technique and style?
My personality is reflective of how I represent myself both in and out of work. I am friendly, easygoing and have effective communication skills. These traits make me very approachable and help me to promote a welcoming atmosphere to speak with patrons create a more intimate experience. I am entrusted with personal details, which allows me to have a deeper understanding of what they like and don’t like and that helps me to facilitate an optimal experience and create cocktails that matches their preference with minimal background information.
Curating a cocktail that is personalized for a guest’s enjoyment is my ultimate approach to bartending, and seeing their reaction after the first sip is what drives me to continue to work on honing my craft and technique.
What makes New York an exciting place to be in hospitality right now?
New York is always alive and vibrant. It’s great to meet different people from all over the world and hear about their life experiences. You learn so much from networking and building meaningful relationships that last beyond just a night a the bar. The energy in NYC is unmatched and there is a guarantee you’ll have a story to tell on any given day.
What does being a Culture Shaker mean to you and how can bartenders use their influences to impact positive progress in the industry?
I am honored to have been selected as a Culture Shaker. I think it’s great to recognize the efforts that bartenders like myself make and be celebrated for our hard work and passion. As bartenders, we are a part of a greater community and have the ability to impact others for the better. We should all strive and aim to provide memorable experiences through our craft, skills, memory and ability to listen to create an environment where patrons feel like family and friends. To me, they are more than patrons, but family and should be treated in that way. Bartenders need to remember that it’s about more than just a drink, it is about the total experience.
Tell us how you used Gentleman Jack in your signature cocktail.
Gentleman’s Jack is the ideal base spirit for my ‘Seize the Moment’ signature cocktail because it has maintains its authenticity. As an avid whisky drinker, I have sampled many brands but have always preferred the smooth texture of Gentlemen Jack.
On my trip to Lynchburg, Tennessee, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to witness its production from beginning to end. I was captivated by the intense physical labor that goes into it – from wood chopping to final stage of bottling. I found their determination to utilize all components of the materials used to be impressive.
Seize the Moment
- 1.5 oz Gentlemen Jack
- .5 oz French Herbal Liqueur
- 2 dashes of Orange Bitters
- 1 or 2 Sugar Cube
- Jack Daniels Infused Cherry
- Orange and lemon peel
All photography for Culture Shakers New York by Nicole J. Leverett (@staynfocusimages) for Thirsty Media.
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.
Our Best Stories Delivered Daily
