Since being named the second-ever winner of the 50 Best Bars Scholarship, Apoorva Kohli has completed the first of her two internships at leading international cocktail bars. After a fortnight working at The World’s Best Bar 2023, Sips in Barcelona, Kohli tells 50 Best what she’s learned
When Apoorva Kohli was awarded the 50 Best Bars Scholarship 2023, she couldn’t quite believe it. As the then-21-year-old fledgling bartender from Sidecar, New Delhi, took to the stage at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 in Singapore, she knew she was about to embark on the experience of a lifetime working behind the stick at two world-leading cocktail establishments.
In April 2024, Kohli made the voyage from South Asia to Spain to begin the first of her two internships at Sips (No.1 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023), with her second at Alquímico, Cartagena (No.9 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023), set to take place later this year. Across her two weeks at the Barca bar, she embraced the opportunity to learn from a team at the forefront of mixology.
Now back home at Sidecar, and full of ideas and inspiration, Kohli shares the lessons she picked up from her time working with The World’s Best Bar.
1. It’s all in the detail
No detail is left unconsidered at Sips, such as bespoke vessels
“Sips co-founders Marc [Álvarez] and Simone [Caporale] firmly believe in keeping every little detail in harmony with the surrounding environment – something a lot of bars often lose sight of when they have a busy operation going on. As an example of the level to which the bar goes, nothing within Esencia – the innovative new space in the back of Sips – comes from an existing bar, meaning everything has to be created from scratch. This meant they had to examine and create every element for the space, from bespoke glassware for each individual drink to inventing a new alternative to a hawthorne strainer, designed by Álvarez. The attention to detail is truly phenomenal.”
2. Simplicity is key
“One of the most valuable insights I gained from my time at Sips was that simplicity reigns supreme. It may be The World’s Best Bar, but the team’s approach to crafting drinks is refreshingly straightforward, steering clear of unnecessary complexity. Sips stays grounded in this understanding, ensuring it remains accessible by catering to all palates with grace and finesse, while also continually surprising guests with the breadth of possibilities. It understands the balance between simplicity and sophistication, teaching me that in the pursuit of greatness, sometimes it is the simplest gestures that leave the most lasting impressions.”
3. Uplifting the community around you
“When building a world-leading bar, you need to foster a positive environment for the whole community and not just within your own space. At Sips, visitors are naturally party to great hospitality, but you’ll often also see the bar filled with other local bartenders and industry folk, which demonstrates the successful community it has built. From platforming up-and-coming bartenders through its own apprentice programme to making sure each one of them maintains a good quality of life, everyone is looked after.
4. Learning the language
Kohli has brought her learnings back to Sidecar, including a few Spanish phrases
“Bartenders are often travelling around the world, and the one thing I forgot to pack for my trip to Barcelona was my Spanish. The team at Sips taught me my first few Spanish phrases, and I quickly noticed that even a simple greeting or basic conversation in the local language made a huge difference to the experience. This helped me feel more connected to the place and the guests I was serving. So, when travelling to new places with a rich culture, I’ll now make sure to take the time to brush up on the language before arriving.”
5. The difference in established vs emerging bar scenes
“Back home, Indian bar culture is still in its infancy and evolving with people now starting to embrace and appreciate craft cocktails. By contrast, arriving in Barcelona was a delightful surprise. Most people there are already knowledgeable about their preferences and more open to trying new experiences and bold flavours, whereas back home we often need to introduce these concepts and adventurous creations gradually. Engaging with the guests in Barcelona was a fantastic learning opportunity for this and I'm confident that the rapid growth of cocktail culture in India means we'll soon be in a similar situation. I now feel well-prepared for what's to come.”
Want to experience this for yourself? Applications for the 50 Best Bars Roku Scholarship will open on 6th June 2024 for bartenders across the globe over the age of 21 with under five full years’ experience in the hospitality sector. Click here to pre-register your interest in the scholarship.
Miss last year's ceremony? Watch the highlights here:
The 16th edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars list, sponsored by Perrier, will be announced on Tuesday 22nd October 2024. To be the first to hear about the latest news and announcements, browse the website, follow us on Instagram, find us on Facebook, visit us on X and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
