Forbes Magazine: Best Bartender in the World

Colin Peter Field is his name. He is the Best Bartender in the World according to Forbes magazine and the only Bartender in history to make it into the French Who's Who. One of his favorite regulars....Kate Moss. Yes, Super-Model Kate Moss! wow. This guy is the truth. He works as the head bartender for the world renowned Hemingway Bar in the Ritz in Paris, France. (Coco Chanel lived 30 years at this hotel!) This is the very bar Ernest Hemingway would write about as being his favorite, as well as F. Scott Fitzgerald. Colin has been running this world famous bar since 1994 and helped to restore the small bar to its original condition after it had been closed for decades. He is probably one of the most knowledgeable bartenders ever. He speaks multiple languages that he can write and read fluently. "Every morning when I wake up, I read newspapers from France, England, Germany and the United States so that if one of my customers wants to discuss current events or the stock market, I know what I'm talking about." says Colin about his daily ritual. "Some people like to talk with a bartender," he says. "Some don't. My job here is to be the host, the showman, the life of the party." He takes his job very, very seriously. He can concoct a perfect cocktail to match your mood, your taste, or even your outfit. He often garnishes cocktails for his lady patrons with roses and orchids. Nice! Well with the most famous bartender in the world at the most famous bar in the world comes with a price I'm sure. He serves the most expensive cocktail in the world, the Ritz Sidecar, at a staggering $1661.50! Further proof that you get what you pay for!

What do you want ya BIG DUMMY???

As a bartender I interact with strangers all the time. Yes, men hit on me just like every woman, and every female bartender. The phenomena that I have yet to grasp in my mind is the ever annoying and disturbing male bar fly that tries to get your phone number, yet seems absolutely clueless about tipping. How in the HELL do you as a MAN try to "holla" at any female bartender, waitress etc. AND NOT TIP???? Like, that is a total conflict of interest! Why wouldn't I date someone that doesn't tip you may ask? Duh! Because I work for tips! I used to work at this club and one night I had this overly pushy, in your face, old ass ex-marine that swore me up and down how he was a better mate than my beau. (hey honey!) He had the nerve to ask me over and over and over for my digits, orders 1 drink and some wings and doesnt tip anything!!! I wouldnt give you my number anyway, but now Im gonna tell all the other bartenders what an idiot jerk douche bag you are!!! Im like really dude is it just me or do you never tip your bartender?!?!? Who would date your crazy ass??? The saddest part is that this has happened to me like 3 times, so I know its not just me.....lol.

ABSOLUT flavors.....cool!

Vodka drinkers listen up......especially those non- first adapter types such as myself (i gotta get better about that new-new). I just have to big up Absolut for their limited edition city flavors. Firstly, Absolut launched a new international flavor recently called Absolut Wild Tea, which I love, and previously this was known as Absolut Boston, released in 2009, (Boston Tea Party) and it tastes like elderflower and black tea. Love it! Prior to this Absolut released Absolut New Orleans in 2007, which tastes like mango and black pepper. 100% of the Absolut New Orleans profits were donated to Gulf Coast charities in remembrance of Hurricane Katrina. In 2008 Absolut Los Angeles was introduced. Flavored with acai berry, acerola cherry, pomegranate and blueberry, Absolut donated $250,000 to  Green Way LA. Pretty cool, huh? 2010 brought Absolut Brooklyn, red apple and ginger symbolizing the Big Apple while incorporating the spice of Brooklyn. (peep video below) The artistic brownstone on the bottle was created by Spike Lee and $50,000 in sales were donated to Habitat for Humanity for their effort to build affordable and environmentally sustainable housing in Bed-Stuy. I think this is a really cool marketing campaign for Absolut, which was inspired by their Absolut U.S. city advertisement campaign in the 80's and 90's. I look forward to the new city flavor for 2011. I wonder what city it will be next?

Whew.... *wipes sweat from eyebrow*

OK, so I have been meaning to do this for a while now. Here I am.... I am Toki the Bartender, Hear me roar! ROOOAARR!! OK....enough of that. First subject up for discussion is the infamous "Light ice please...."

Now if you want a really hot drink where the 3 ice cubes melt even faster than a normal cocktail on the rocks is totally up to you....Personally I find that the only time where this gets a pass is for my whiskey/cognac/scotch drinkers. Anyway, how dare you order a Long Island Iced Tea and demand that your bartender make it with light ice. First of all light ice does not mean more alcohol. Why you may ask? For a few very simple reasons. #1. It is illegal to serve more than a certain amount of ounces of alcohol per drink. Why? Because if I make and extremely strong drink that makes you extremely intoxicated and you get a DUI, or in a car accident or, God forbid, you kill someone then we will be sharing a jail cell together. #2. You are asking us to steal from our employer which is illegal as well and its very difficult to maintain a bartending career when word gets around town that you cant keep a job because you steal for people you don't even know. and #3 chances are if you are too cheap to pay for the extra alcohol you so desire then you are too cheap to tip much less tip well, which is a lose-lose situation no matter how you perceive it. So do your bartender and yourself a favor and let us make your cocktail the way its supposed to be made. We do know what we are doing!