Meet the Gentleman Jack Culture Shakers Class of 2024: Connecticut edition! The Culture Shakers initiative stands as a beacon of recognition and support for Multicultural bartenders ascending in the realm of mixology, revolutionizing cocktail culture in their respective cities while imprinting their unique legacies upon the bar scene. In 2024, the program maintains its commitment to spotlighting a fresh wave of talent, with a dynamic cohort from Connecticut. These trailblazers, armed with creativity and innovation, challenge conventions and redefine the boundaries of bar culture.

Embodying the essence of Gentleman Jack, a Tennessee whiskey distinguished by its smoothness and approachability, the Culture Shakers epitomize the spirit of craftsmanship and dedication. Like the whiskey’s meticulous process, these bartenders exemplify a commitment to authenticity and excellence, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Through their passion and determination, they embody the ethos of Gentleman Jack, embracing the role of creators who strive to craft what’s genuine and aspire to leave a lasting legacy.

Connecticut Culture Shakers Class of 2024:

Becca Legoute

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

We tend to refer to New York as the melting pot of the U.S., however Bridgeport, CT is an actual melting pot. From random pockets of Haitians, Jamaicans, Brazilians, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Polish, etc. My city isn’t new to hospitality. However, it is beautiful to finally see us placed on the map, to have businesses run by people of color and for this city to finally be recognized.

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

I am very much a goofball. I love to make people laugh and feel comfortable. When I am bartending, I always try to face my customers when I’m making their drink. I talk aloud while making cocktails – even if I’m talking to myself. My favorite thing to do is sing out the name of whatever I’m looking for, like, “Oh, Jack Daniel’s where are you?” This usually makes customers laugh or join in the search!

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

Being a Culture Shakers means we, people of color, retake our rightful place in the industry. The first mixologists in the United States were people of color. A lot of our most popular and favorite drinks — and techniques — were created by persons of color. Bartenders such as Tom Bullock, Richard Francis, Cato Alexander, and Benjamin Sheekles paved the way but, unfortunately, they were forgotten and erased. This is how bartenders can use their influence to have a positive impact in the industry. We are educators, everytime a customer sits at your bar, it is our job to educate them.

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

Gentleman Jack is extremely flavorful and smooth which is why it was important to me that the spirit had a chance to shine. I used ingredients that would purposefully bring out the vanilla and carmel. I couldn’t get the idea of pear out of my head. Thus, the pear liqueur and the digestif Genziana gave the drink enough body to carry Gentleman Jack but not over powering. The triple sec was just more of a compliment than anything.

The Gentleman’s Promise

• 2 oz. Gentleman Jack
• .25 oz. Rockey’s Botanical Liqueur
• .5 oz. triple sec
• 1 oz. pear liqueur
• .25 Antica Torino Genziana

Prepare in a mixing glass; regular ice to stir  Stir until well cold. Pour into a pre-chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a fresh, lightly torched vanilla bean

Jose Colon

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

New Haven makes hospitality and industry life exciting for me because there is so much talent in this city. There are also so many people who are willing to teach the younger generation that I am a part of now. Mentor us on how to better ourselves and the industry that we work in, as well make sure we are bringing joy to all the guests who we get to take care of every shift.

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

When I’m creating drinks, I try to create a story for the guests to really enjoy and feel immersed in the cocktail that they are drinking. The way I approach my technique behind the bar is by just trying to do my own thing —  it showcases my personal style and seeing me make a drink is going to be different than anyone else who is behind the bar with me.

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

To me, being a Culture Shaker means that I am progressing in what I do in this industry. As bartenders, we can use our influence to positively impact our industry by raising up and empowering the younger generation and teaching them the true artistry behind what we do as Bartenders.

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

I used Gentleman Jack in my signature cocktail in a way that I felt really showcases the flavor of the whiskey while also enhancing the sweeter notes that can be found when tasting it. Gentleman Jack shines through in this drink thanks to its sweeter notes accompanied by the additional ingredients; it all really come together harmoniously to create a cocktail that I believe represents what Gentleman Jack represents.

Gentleman’s Dessert

• 2.25 oz. Gentleman Jack
• .25 oz. rich simple
• .5 oz. all-spice dram
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• 3 dashes cherry bitters

Stirred and served in a rocks glass with a king cube; topped with a cinnamon cold foam

Karina Soto

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

Working in a smaller town like Branford, that may not be as widely known as spots in New York, offers amazing opportunities in the hospitality industry. Located on the shoreline, it inspires coastal-themed bars, restaurants that offer fresh seafood, and waterfront views. I love to converse with guests and hear their stories. We receive strong support from local businesses, patrons, and word-of-mouth recommendations. I believe that not only do I serve our guests, I also have a sense of belonging to Branford by contributing to the community. Overall, working in the hospitality industry in a place like Branford, CT allows me to form meaningful connections within the community.

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

My personality embodies warmth, creativity, charisma, and attention to detail. I love to create a welcoming atmosphere behind the bar and hold myself to a high standard when serving guests, balancing playfulness and professionalism. Showing interest in a guest’s preferences with their own personal taste brings out my creative and inventive side. This shows the passion I have for creating cocktails and adds to the experience I know that all of our patrons deserve.

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

Having this platform for brown and black bartenders helps promote positive changes to the industry, pushes unity, and elevates opportunities in our community. I believe in the power of education to enable the next generations of bartenders and industry professionals. All guests should feel valued regardless of their identity, background, color, or preferences. Every cocktail has its own unique characteristics, and so do humans, that should be celebrated.

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

Gentleman Jack, with its smooth and mellow character, is the perfect base spirit for my cocktail, Café Mañana. It has the aroma of vanilla, citrus, and soothing floral notes. You can really taste the vanilla, fruit, and light spice, all balanced with oak flavor and notes of caramel, finished off with an incredibly smooth mouthfeel. The pairing between Gentleman Jack and the ingredients in my cocktail create a complex and well-balanced cocktail, with layers and layers of flavor.

Café Mañana?

• 2 oz. Gentleman Jack
• .5 oz. amaro
• .5 oz. coffee liqueur
• .75 oz. vanilla syrup
• .25 0z. lime juice
• .25 oz. grapefruit Juice
• 1-2 dashes of Saline

Shake all ingredients in a shaker tin until well chilled. Strain into a double rocks glass with a King Cube. Express lemon and discard. Garnish with foam using a bar spoon. Top off with flamed cinnamon.

Foam:

• 2-3 dashes of Saline
• 2 sprinkles of cinnamon
• .5 oz. grapefruit liqueur
• 2 oz. heavy whipping cream

Dry shake in a shaker tin for 10-15 seconds oruntil firm like whipped cream.

Bianca DeJesus

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

New Haven has been constantly moving and innovating in all aspects of hospitality, from the growing culture of beautiful crafted cocktails to people wanting to experience exciting food pairings. Coming to New Haven, I was not ready for this but, in the community, we have come to realize that if we do it together then we can all flourish together. Working in New Haven has been an amazing experience because I’m being pushed to be creative and realize that nothing is impossible. We want our guests to not just have a cocktail and some food but an experience that makes them realize they’re right where they belong.

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

My personality is unique to this industry due to the many different states and types of places I’ve worked in. It’s helped me be a studious bartender more than anything else. I consistently build relationships with my guests in a way that’s more than them being customers — we become friends. I bring sarcasm, realness and a hug, while also genuinely understanding and learning what my guests flavor profiles are. Sometimes, it can all depend on what they are going through in that moment or if they’re in the mood for taking risks. That understanding helps me make their experience totally unique. Today, I can be classic but tomorrow I can be Tiki. There will never be just one specific style for me because it shuts me off from learning more and that’s just something I refuse to do.

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

Being a Culture Shaker is exciting! It truly means that hard work can be noticed, even when it’s unexpected. I have been surrounded by amazing mentors, people who are truly phenomenal at their craft but are also always willing to help me learn. That alone helps make a positive influence in this industry. None of us are better than the other, we all just have different styles, techniques and experience that we can all share and teach each other which makes every day of doing this fun.

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

The gift that Gentleman Jack brings is all the flavors your tongue can capture, from sweetness to fruity to just enough bitter. All of it comes together so beautifully making it easy to bring anything into a cocktail when using it. I used apple because it gives enough sweetness but not too much to make anything overly sweet; I also used vanilla because it brought out the notes and beauty of the Gentleman Jack mash build. The cinnamon I used with Amaro helping it showcase the way they burn the barrels, bringing out the charred flavor while mellowing a Smokey feel to finish with. Finishing everything off with a charred sweet taste that is only specific to the beauty of Gentleman Jack.

• 1.5 oz. Gentleman Jack
• .25 oz Amaro
• .25 oz ginger liqueur
• 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
• .75 oz. apple vanilla cinnamon syrup
• 1 egg white

Shake ingredients with ice. Strain into one part of shaker, get rid of ice. Dry shake. Strain into a tall coup with sugar rim.

Please Drink Responsibly.
Gentleman Jack and Jack Daniel’s are registered trademarks. ©2024 Jack Daniel’s. Tennessee Whiskey, 40% ALC/VOL, JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY, Lynchburg, TN.