Before Jasmine Radu was slinging craft cocktails as the Lead Bartender at UVA, she was mixing drinks at a bar in a small surf town Nicaragua. The experience laid the groundwork for a passion that would follow her back to Canada as she moved up the ranks and honed her skills as a truly talented bartender. We sit down with Jasmine to talk everything from death row drinks to cocktail bibles and power ballads to her love of cats.
What’s your favourite word?
Phalange
What’s your least favourite word?
Chunk
What turns you on?
Food
What turns you off?
Lack of food
What sound or noise do you love?
Music
What sound or noise do you hate?
Screaching
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I’d like someone to pay me to travel the world.
What profession would you hate to do?
Garbage man.
If God exists what would you like them to say when you arrive?
How you doin?
Which talent would you most like to have?
Flying a plane.
Who is your favourite fictional hero?
The Troll in Central Park.
The historical figure you most identify with?
Marilyn Monroe.
What is your most treasured possession?
My cats!
If you could choose what to come back as in your next life, what would it be?
Probably a cat…..
If you could only have a five bottle bar, what would your five bottles be?
Campari, Gin, Bourbon, Mezcal, Fernet.
What would be your death row drink?
Negroni.
One cocktail book that should be behind every bar?
Dale Degroff’s The Craft of the Cocktail.
One non-cocktail book that should be behind every bar?
A shots recipe book.
If your best shift behind the bar had a theme song, what would be playing in the background.
A power ballad of some sort? Don’t Stop Believing.
If you could only be known for one drink, what would that drink be?
My Mistake- it’s a play on a Sbagliato.
1 oz Lillet Rose
1 oz Luxardo Bitter Bianco
Topped with Prosecco
Combine Lillet and Luxardo in a rocks glass over ice. Stir until chilled and top with Prosecco. Garnish with a grapefruit twist and Bittered Sling Grapefruit Hops Bitters.
