We had a little chat some time ago with tipple enthusiast Zeb Cohen, mixologist based in GOAT Chelsea (our favourite venue for cocktail masterclasses). Zeb, who impressed us already in one of these hands-in demonstrations with both his knowledge and his panache, told us who is the man behind the cocktail-shaker.
Could you give me a little introduction of yourself? Who is Zeb Cohen?
So I’ve been working at Goat since we opened, originally starting on the bar. Have been in the industry for a long time now.
Have you always been into mixology?
I’ve always been into bar-tending, I wouldn’t call myself a Mixologist. I really enjoy the service aspect of the job, and helping people have a great time
Cool! Are you originally from the UK?
Yeah originally North London, but have been snooping around Chelsea and Fulham for a quite a while now.
What’s the best part of doing what you love in London?
I suppose the chance to interact with people from all over the globe, seeing a multitude of cultures in one space, I really dig.
Amazing. From your time in Goat, what would you say it’s the best experience for the customers?
Having a great dinner with friends on the terrace, then moving upstairs to the bar, drinking some banging cocktails and just generally letting loose.
Sounds certainly like my kind of night 😉 What’s your favourite cocktail to make?
To be honest I love making a real crowd pleaser. we do a twist on an Espresso Martini called a Sleepless Beauty which the guests lap up. You can be also be bit rock and roll when you make it so makes the night that much more fun..
Please, do describe!
Well its a 4 bottle pour and you do so many of them that could get pretty slick at knocking them out..
Whoa. What are its ingredients? (You can keep some secret if you don’t want to let the cat out haha)
So we swap out vodka with vanilla vodka, add some dark chocolate bitters, coffee liquor, and fresh espresso. So we sort of mix the Espresso Martini recipe with an Affogatto, which is a pretty fashionable dessert right now.
It sounds delicious! Is that your favourite cocktail to drink too?
I don’t drink, so I’m pretty happy with a green tea…
WHAT???
I know, it’s crazy isn’t it? Well, I do have to try the cocktails I make, but that’s just a sip now and then (I’m pretty confident with my technique by now).
It is very difficult for me to choose, but you can never go wrong with our pizzas, the goat’s cheese and roast vegetables is an absolute winner.
And what do you do on your free time? Hobbies, passions, etc?
I rock-climb, meet up with friends, read as much as I can.. Not really the usual manic bartender stuff but it suits me.
Ooh! I love to read too, any recommendation?
Hospitality wise it would be definitely be Setting the Table by Danny Meyer on a personal level I really enjoyed A. A Gill’s memoir Pour Me a Life.
*scribbles title down* Thanks for that! One last question: what place in London makes you really happy to work and live here?
I spend a lot of time in Hyde Park and the National Portrait Gallery. They really help iron out the edges of this crazy city, sometimes you need a quiet space in your mind and out.
You can enjoy Zeb’s creations at GOAT Chelsea, where you can also participate in loads of Cocktail Masterclasses and learn something about your spirits, instead of just downing them in one! And of course, always Buy One Get One Free with the ENTERTAINER London 2017 and Cheers London!
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