Shaking things up

Mixology and creativity

Another reason why Chen and Huang decided to become bartenders is the creative process involved. Those who do not appreciate cocktails might argue that such beverages are merely a mixture of different spirits aimed at getting people inebriated.

But if that's really the case, why have a bartender prepare drinks instead of just pouring all the different spirits into a glass yourself?

Because it is the techniques involved that make all the difference, said Huang.

And that is exactly why there are bar tools. That is why some bartenders painstakingly carve balls or cubes of ice that fit snugly into glasses. That is why bartenders jiggle cocktail shakers. That is why James Bond likes his martinis shaken and not stirred.

"That thing we do with the shakers - it's not for show. It's a method of melting the ice so that it blends seamlessly with the alcohol. Shaking the ice and stirring it produces different outcomes. Sometimes it also depends on how much strength you use to shake the ice," explained Huang.

"Of course bartending, or mixology, is an art form. You have to find a harmony between varieties of spirits that taste different. It's the same as cooking."

In fact, when it comes to sense of taste, women actually have an advantage over men, according to scientific studies.

In 2008, an experiment jointly conducted by the Danish Science Communication and the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Copenhagen found this to be the case. According to a research project by Yale University, women have more taste buds than men, which means they have more sensitive palates. Over at the University of Florida Center for Smell and Taste, researchers found that women are more likely to be super tasters - individuals who have a far greater sense of taste than average folks.

But Chen likened cocktails to being more than just a combination of flavors, saying they are in essence an amalgamation of art, culture and history.

Indeed, mixology has been around for a long time - the earliest use of the word "cocktail" has been found to be in an American newspaper from 1806 - and the Prohibition Era (1920 to 1930s) in the United States is widely considered the most romantic period for cocktails.

Determined to improve her skills, Chen would be leaving Shanghai later this year to work at Angel's Share in New York, a city steeped in cocktail lore.

She conceded that she is also mulling over whether to open a bar with her good friend in the near future.

"I view mixology as an art form, and since New York has a thriving cocktail and arts scene, I believe the city can help me become more creative," said Chen. "The next few years will be really important for self-development. But I guess at some point in life, when the right person appears, I'll consider settling down and having a child. I'm a woman after all."

alywin@chinadaily.com.cn