Demie Kim: Alice Cheongdam (Seoul)

Demie Kim is the head bartender at Alice Cheongdam in Seoul. He makes us two cocktails, one with Gin and Octomore Solution and the second with Rum and Dry Persimmons.

Demie introduce yourself
My name is Demie Kim and I’m the head bartender at Alice Cheongdam in Seoul. Nine years ago, when I was studying hospitality in college I originally wanted to be a barista. While I was there, I joined the bartenders club and it changed my vision of hospitality and that’s how I decided my career would be behind the bar. Afterwards, I worked at the W Hotel in Seoul as a bartender, until I moved to Alice two years ago as head bartender.

The classic you want to show us
Green Thumb
60ml of Botanist Gin
45ml of Homemade Green Mix (Pineapple, Spearmint, Honey, Coriander)
10ml of Fresh Lime Juice
1 Drop Octomore Solution (Whisky Salt)

The bar you dream of
My dream bar would be on a cloud, so my team and I could travel with it around the world. We would create and serve refreshing drinks, food and cigars and the wind would create the music. We’d have different customers every day in different countries and it would be very exclusive.

What do you do in your time off
I like fine dining, as I use it as inspiration for my drinks. I also enjoy going to bars to try new experiences.

The spirit you like the most
I like whisky because they are all so different, which means I can create many variations of the same drink (like an old fashioned), but they will all taste completely different. I prefer Islay whiskies for the peat, like Ardbeg Ten or Bruichladdich. But my absolute favourite is Islay Scotch Whisky.

What makes a good cocktail
Balance and simplicity are what I think make a good cocktail.

What ingredient do you enjoy using in cocktails
I love pineapple because it’s sweet and sour at the same time, which gives a good balance to a drink.

The signature cocktail you want to show us
Stay Here
45ml of Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum infused with Dry Persimmons
7.5ml of Cinnamon and Ginger Syrup
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Where do you think we need to go to interview another bartender
In Seoul go to Yeonnammashil and Cham Bar, because I really respect the work of the bartenders there. And the bars look like traditional Korean houses, so it’s interesting for foreigners to feel the warmth Korean hospitality.

Thank you to Danico for letting us do this interview during Demie’s guest shift.

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