Yukari Takayama is a bartender working at The St. Regis Osaka, Japan.

How did you get started as a mixologist?

I’ve always found it interesting. However, it’s been 17 years already! It’s always fun every day. I love my job!

How would you describe your personal style as a bartender?

Entertainer, dancer, and tourist guide for my guests.

What keeps you passionate about bartending and the hospitality industry?

I am also a traveler, bar hopper, and cocktail enthusiast. When I am traveling around the world, people are very friendly to me. Since I received so much kindness from others, I want to return the same kindness back to my guests.

What inspires your creativity when crafting new cocktails? 

I love getting creative with Japanese spirits or ingredients with guest needs. I also find travel inspiring. When I travel outside of Japan, I always ask bartenders to make me a cocktail with their own local ingredients. Every drink is a surprise!

What’s your favorite Fee Brothers product to work with, and why? 

My favorite is Fee Brothers’ Mole Bitters. I like the aroma and the depth of flavor.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a better mixologist?

Go travel! There are opportunities to learn everywhere. There are all kinds of bartenders, drinks, and ingredients that you haven’t experienced yet. It’s so much fun!

What is your signature drink, and what makes it special? 

My signature drink is a drink that can make my guests happy, there’s no particular drink. Most of the time, I make drinks according to my guests’ moods, preferences, or special occasions.

Do you have a favorite recipe in which you use Fee Brothers products?

Yukine

Yukine means “snow peak”. When traveling through Japan, I saw Mt. Fuji, which has a beautiful celestial blue color and snow on the top.

Ingredients:

• Dassai
• Banana liquor 
• Melon liquor 
• Blue syrup
• Milk 
• Lemon juice
• Fee Brothers Lime Bitters
• Passion fruit syrup
• Egg white or Fee Brothers Fee Foam
• Salt and lime zest to garnish.

Part 1 Combine:

• 5 dashes Fee Brothers Lime Bitters
• 2 tsp Passion fruit syrup
• Egg white or Fee Brothers Fee Foam

Shake with ice to create a foam.

Part 2

1 ½ oz. Milk washed Banana Melon Blue

How to make : 

• Banana liquor 1 part
• Melon liquor 1 part 
• Blue syrup 1/3 part 
• Milk 3 parts
• Lemon juice ~2 tsp

The mixture should form curds when combined. Remove or strain the curds once developed.

Combine the Part 2 mixture with 1 ½ oz. of Dassai in a shaker. Shake vigorously and pour into a glass. Top with the foam from Part 1. Sprinkle salt and lime zest to garnish.

Follow Yukari on Instagram @_yukari_t_bartender.jp.