Marc Alvarez is the co-founder of SIPS in Barcelona. He makes us two cocktails, one with Cachça and Lime and the second with Gin and a Brandy.
Marc introduce yourself
My name is Marc Alvarez, I began working in hospitality at the age of 15, doing small summer jobs that allowed me to learn the profession from the bottom up. Whilst studying Biological Sciences, I continued to grow as a bartender, finally deciding to make it my chosen career path. I took advantage of positions in different types of bars and restaurants to learn and evolve my skillset until finally starting in Albert Adria’s 41o. I was soon offered a unique professional opportunity to lead el Barri Group’s beverage program, one of the most powerful gastronomic groups in the country. Over the course of 8 years, I managed the drinks program for the group’s six restaurants and bars, which belong to the Adrià and Iglesias brothers. In 2018 I created my own company, Drink’s Atelier, dedicated to the development of projects related to the world of cocktails In 2020 I inaugurated SIPS along with renowned Italian bartender Simone Caporale, a disruptive new cocktail bar, and a highly anticipated project.
The classic you want to show us
Sips Capaipirinha
65ml of Leblond Cachaça
80g of Fresh Lime
15ml of Simple Syrup
The bar you dream of
There are many projects written down on paper in my office at home. I really love simple projects as a small bar with 8 seats and a bartender with no menu, or big projects with a lot of budgets behind them… But If I need to mention one, will be a bar where the liquids can do real magic, a place that not only inspires creativity, a place where the liquids can evoke emotions… When we are in a live music concert, we really feel emotions at the same time that we listen to music, imagine that the liquids, due to I don’t know which technique, are capable to make the people feel a real deep emotion … Imagine the idea of the film Ratatouille the scene where the food critic remembers his childhood … that’s something never created on the bar scenario …
What do you do in your time off
Running a bar is always stressful so, I love to stay at home with a nice glass of wine and read … In winter time is something that gives me a real mental peace … And of course, I love the sea, so in Barcelona so, I can’t skip going for a walk and lay in the sand in summer till burning myself. I’m like a child, I can’t go out of the sea, I love to swim and feel the sea …
The spirit you like the most
It’s a very hard question, but probably I love gin because it is a very very versatile product to work with
What makes a good cocktail
Easy, good product, good ice, and passion for making it. There is no other way for a successful cocktail.
What ingredient do you enjoy using in cocktails
Sherry wines, I really love all the expressions and are very very useful to control dilution, add a savoury/saline touch and aroma into a drink …
The signature cocktail you want to show us
Krypta
35ml of Gin
15ml of Brandy Fundador Sherry Cask
45ml of Clarified Kiwi
5ml of Simple Syrup
2.5ml of Citric Acid
Where do you think we need to go to interview another bartender
I really love the amazing job that Marc Pinotti is doing in a very small bar in Barcelona called Marlow … If you have a chance to go, do it !