Welcome back to our series “Shaken & Stirred” where we meet the Falkensteiner barkeepers behind the bar to answer questions about their daily life at work. This time, we have the great opportunity to meet the whole Bar team from our Falkensteiner Hotel Montafon: Gürkan, Zoran, Tatiana and Nina. Not only will they tell us about some funny anecdotes from behind the bar, but they also have brought some recipes for you to recreate and get into the right mood for vacation. Enjoy!
How does your daily work as a barkeeper in the Falkensteiner Hotel Montafon look like?
Gürkan:
When I start working, I first check the station: check if there is any missing alcohol, garnish, or other beverages.
The cleanliness of the bar is important to me. If it is dirty, I cannot start work without cleaning it. Of course, if a guest is waiting at the priority desk, I take out the guest’s order first.
In the morning and in the afternoon, we primarily serve Coffee and Juices, in the evening we create Cocktails and Aperitifs.
What was the funniest moment during your career as a barkeeper so far?
Zoran:
We have a funny experience every day because you are constantly in contact with the guests and a lot of things happen during the day itself. There are various requests from children, parents, colleagues where it is normal for something to happen during the day.
One situation from the bar that was particularly funny for me: while staying at the bar, a father went to the toilet with one son and left the other son with me, where I looked after him until the father came back. During the short time the father was away, the child fell asleep next to me while I was with him. The father came back and thanked me for because it meant a lot to him. Bartender as a position is very demanding, although it may not seem like it, but it is. It is a family hotel, and I must be ready for everything. Therefore, my motto is to always stay positive.
What was the most unusual order you have gotten from a guest?
Tatiana:
A customer asked me for an espresso martini. But he told me to put Martini Bianco in it. I explained that there was actually no Martini Bianco in that cocktail, but the cocktail got its name because it is served in a martini glass.
How do you get inspired for new creations of non-alcoholic drinks for our youngest guests at the hotel?
Gürkan; When I prepare non-alcoholic cocktails for children, I pay attention to the fact that the cocktail is colorful or has plenty of garnishes, and I like to choose glasses in a way that children will like. Taste is also important, but its appearance should attract more attention.
What is your favorite ingredient?
Zoran:
My favorite ingredients are herbs. I love gin as a drink that can be very well combined with all the ingredients.
Why do you love serving from behind the bar?
Nina:
The job of a bartender is very interesting if you enjoy doing it. Important communication with guests, kindness, professionalism, and service activities are all very important traits for this position. A bartender as a person who works at a bar during a shift gets a lot of questions and requests, so you have to be a good connoisseur of bar culture to best present yourself and the company you work for
What do you look out for when you're standing in front of the bar as a guest?
Gürkan:
If I were standing in front of the bar as a guest, the first thing I would notice would be the friendliness and conversation of the employees towards the guests. I would pay attention to the hygiene of the prepared cocktails and the cleanliness of the bar and bar tables.
If you were to create a cocktail based on Montafon as a destination, what ingredients would you use and what would you call it?
Team Together:
- 4cl Rum
- 2 cl peach liqueur (archers)
- 2 cl fresh lemon juice
- 1 cl blue curacao
Cocktail name: Blue Mountain Sky
Will you tell us the recipe for the children’s favorite non-alcoholic cocktail at the hotel?
Nina:
Yes, this is the recipe for the favorite children’s cocktail, called Bananacolada.
- 12 cl milk
- 8cl ananas juice
- 2 cl coconat syrup
- 2 cl banana syrup
- (It can be made in a blender with fresh fruits)
What is your signature drink that we should definitely order while staying at the Falkensteiner Hotel Montafon?
Gürkan:
CHILI PASSİON
- 4cl tequila
- 2cl orange liqueur
- 2cl passion fruit puree
- 8cl orange juice
- 2 drop hot sauce (tobasco
Thank you to the whole bartender team at Falkensteiner Hotel Montafon! Cheers & enjoy your cocktails!
