Gento Torigata is the Bar Manager of Gibson in Singapore. He makes two cocktails for us, one with Gin and Sake Vemouth and the second with Calvados and Thai Tea.
Gento introduce yourself
My name is Gento Torigata from Japan and I am the bar manager here at Gibson. I began my career in a french restaurant in Tokyo, after I finished university. I work as a chef, then became a pattissier, but still knew it was not the career for me. I often went to various cocktail bars after work and this industry began to intrigue me. I began working in a bar in Ginza as a trainee and after a year I moved to Sydney to work and when my visa expired I moved to Singapore.
The classic you want to show us
Gibson
50ml of Roku Gin
7.5ml of Japanese Sake Vermouth
The bar you dream of
My dream bar would be a cosy cocktail bar in Paris or London managed with my wife. I’s like a round bar with around 10 seats, so I could manage the place myself. The interior would be classic and my wife is a chef, so she’d create small plate for guests.
What do you do in your time off
I spend time with my wife and we enjoy brunch or lunch together. Later we go to try cocktails in bars.
The spirit you like the most
My favourite spirit is gin because there are so many interesting products available. Every gin has a unique flavours and I enjoy finding a way to let them shine in a cocktail. I am using Nikka Coffee gin withSichuan pepper and japanese citrus note in a gimlet a lot at the moment.
What makes a good cocktail
In my experience the important thing is the recipe and following it exatly. Balance is of course also important.
What ingredient do you enjoy using in cocktails
Recently I’ve started using sherry to balance drinks. I especially like fino in a drink.
The signature cocktail you want to show us
Jack Rosella
45ml of Christian Drouin Calvados
3 tablespoons of Fresh Pomegranate Seeds
7.5ml of Roselle Cordial (Hibiscus Bud)
4 dashes of Thai Tea Tincture
Where do you think we need to go to interview another bartender
You need to go to Jigger & Pony and Sugar Hall in Singapore. In Tokyo go to Ginza Zenith.