Word famous mixologist Junior Merino invites a selected handful of visitors to gather at his “Willy Wonka” factory of drink-slinging spirit-mixing Liquid Lab to get inspired. His work can be found in dozens of restaurants, including the Modern in New York and Tequilas in Philadelphia where he features his signature cocktails with Siembra Azul Blanco Tequila.
Philadelphia Inquire journalist Elisa Ludwig publish an article regarding six bartenders experience here. When you walk in you cant help but awe at “floor-to-ceiling shelving displaying a library of $400-plus bottles of tequila, boutique sakes, rare piscos from Brazil, vodkas and gins from around the world, and exotica such as dehydrated grasshoppers, flavored foams, dragonfruit puree, cashew water, banana blossom sugar, 30-odd kinds of honey, and on and on” she explains. The “students” are were first taken into a tasting room to begin a series of spirit tastings before encouraged to go to their work station and develop two cocktails using the tasted spirit, liqueur, and anything else they might desire. Afterwards, Merino samples each cocktail and offers his input "This tastes good, but it should be strained again," he said of one. "Too spicy," he said of another.
By the end of the day the students were exhausted, intoxicated, overstimulated – but ready to spread the word about good drinking, go back home and strengthen Philly's cocktail culture. Each one ready to push the limits on the standard cocktail and the awe today’s consumer.
To read the full article go to philly.com or follow the link
http://www.philly.com/philly/restaurants/20090604_We_ll_drink_to_that.html?viewAll=y