Marianne and Rhys in front of Interval\'s range of premium cocktails.
With the extravaganza that was the Shefbase create a cocktail competition at an end and the recent expansion of the Interval’s cocktail night to the weekend, we at Shefbase thought it was time to speak to the people behind all those delicious drinks. Drink Editor Alex Moore talked to Interval’s Assistant Manager Marianne Watson, and Cocktail Trainer Rhys Kilroy.
Shefbase: How did the Interval cocktail nights start?
Marianne: It was last summer and we were having our annual managerial meeting. We were into cocktails at the time, and I think that they used to do them on a nightly basis but it was a really poor effort. We decided if we were going to do it we needed to give the staff proper training and serve premium spirits. We started on Wednesdays and we’ve just moved to Fridays and Saturdays as well.
Rhys: It was a really successful move. Just by looking at how many were sold last Friday, it was the best we have ever seen. We’re always looking at which cocktails are popular. I think it needs to keep up with town really.
Marianne: We were four people deep at the bar last Friday. Security said they hadn’t seen (the Interval) that busy since the end of term.
Shefbase: Marianne, you invented a lot of the cocktails on the menu yourself. Where do your ideas come from?
Marianne: I trawled the internet when we were doing the original menu and put a few classics down. Then I think the rest is all a lot of trial and error. Lemon Sorbet, one of the more successful cocktails, didn’t work the first time we made it. It was disgusting! But a few quick adjustments made it very popular. People keep buying it, and the same people keep coming back for more.
Shefbase: What do you think of the competition entries so far?
Marianne: There were some good efforts but generally people are really badly educated when it comes to alcohol. Some of them are good ideas which you think you can tweak a bit to be really nice.
Rhys: Short cocktails struggle to sell, especially to men. It’s silly though, because short just means less mixer. The standard of alcohol education among students is shocking. We have loads of offers on premium vodkas but people still buy double Smirnoff, thinking it’s the best you can get.
Shefbase: Have you found since the move to Fridays and Saturdays that more people want to know about the premium spirits?
Marianne: We get a different clientele. People love the atmosphere and come into the bar and request certain spirits. Sailor Jerry’s is going down well.
Rhys: I have tried to tell people about the premium ones when they order. Often when it’s busy though there’s not enough time.
Shefbase: Finally, what’s your favourite cocktail?
Marianne: We’ve never actually drank most of the cocktails we serve!
Rhys: But a Raspberry Mohito when I make it myself is better than every other one in town.
Marianne: I like a White Russian, followed by a Raspberry Mohito.
Thanks to Marianne and Rhys, and check back soon for a full report of the cocktail competition.
By Alex Moore
