Hit American TV show Sex And The City spurred the rise of the Cosmopolitan; what do you think will be the next hot cocktail for independent female influencers?
Kate Barry: The Cosmo is a cocktail that is very popular with women, but there are so many others. Obviously champagne is a major market, but cocktails have a lot of fun intricacies that female consumers are looking for.
Cristina Piereck: I think it would be difficult for a TV show to popularise a drink again in the same way. I think the brands are in charge of creating the next hot drink. But it will depend on the brand’s standing, whether they can create such a cult drink. I personally think women in this industry are strong and courageous — so for me, the next big cocktail would be the perfect Dry Martini. It’s a classic, it has character and it’s strong.
Adeline Vidal: Having said that, maybe those of us in the industry do not represent the average woman. So I think we need to consider not what we like, but what the average female consumer would want. For example, a lot of female consumers will watch the calories in what they drink.
Cristina Piereck: That may be true, but in my opinion I think it is the minority that is the opinion-maker.
Adeline Vidal: Another big trend here is South American cocktails.
Nicola Holmes: I think that this trend is very lifestyle-associated; when people drank Cosmopolitans it was because they wanted to be in New York and I must admit, when I drink Mojitos they make me feel like I’m on holiday somewhere exotic. It’s a lifestyle thing.
Liza Underwood: I’d agree with the Mojito as well. If you think of all the cocktails people know and drink, that has got to be one of the biggest.
Becky Craig: Going back to what we were saying about people being conscious of their weight, I think that going forward, with the amount of brands and choices that we have in the market, there won’t be a cocktail list. It will be more about the way the cocktail is made. I would choose a bar based on the fact that they muddle fresh fruit as opposed to using syrups. And I think this fresh, organic slant is already a big influence.
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Taking part this month
Christina Bowen, assistant food and beverage manager, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina
Cristina Piereck, sommelier, The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai
Erin O’Neill, bar assistant director of sales, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina and the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina
Nicola Holmes, event director, Dubai Event Management Corporation
Adeline Vidal, key account manager duty free — Gulf countries, Moët Hennessy
Liza Underwood, head sommelier, Capital Club Festival City
Becky Craig, brand manager — Brown-Forman, MMI
Kate Barry, marketing manager — Moët Hennessy, MMI
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