Of Coffee With The Beverage Whisperer

52 Comments

If you were having coffee with me we would be hanging out with the self-styled mixologist Ashler Jaya or as she is now also known as The Beverage Whisperer. I first met The Mixologist at a small get together with a couple twimbos(that’s Zimbabweans from Twitter). As a guy who does not drink pink drinks [haha] I had never bothered much with the world of cocktails save for maybe gin and lemon tea until she transformed a regular Zambezi lager into something else using, oh only a dash of regular ingredients…

Almost two years later and Zimbabwe is being shaken into the swirling world of cocktails and The Beverage Whisperer is one to look out for, check the headlines….

Beverage whisperer
Hail Harare’s Beverage Whisperer

B: Coffee Or Tea

AJ: Coffee

B: What cocktail would you come up… *based on coffee*

AJ: I would probably make an expresso martini or an Irish Coffee, simple but really good.

Coffee cocktail

B: Whats the weirdest cocktail you did using the most unlikely things, which was surprisingly very good.

AJ: I cant really say its weird but peanuts, whiskey and cola surprisingly tastes really good, if it’s made well.

B: Oh thats weird!!! Anyway mixology, how mixology and I’ll do you even one better why mixology? *In Drax’s voice*

AJ: Hmm, I want to say I fell in love with Mixology in university. It taps into a different side of my creativity, I experiment with a lot and can come up with ideas for recipes of the top of my head. It is just so much fun. I want to say mixology chose me.

Pouring a Jameson Whiskey cocktail The Mixologist

B: You definitely know your stuff, and Jameson Whiskey noticed too, how cool was that how did that come about?

AJ: Can I tell you I’m still shocked lol! It was definitely awesome getting noticed by Jameson. It just showed me hard work pays off and encouraged me to keep going. Its been great knowing I am able to start creating relationships with big brands

B: You also teach mixology 101… how is your experience with a cocktail culture and mixology community in Zimbabwe?

AJ: Cocktal culture is fairly new to Zimbabwe. It’s not something that everyone knew about or something that people used to go out of their way to enjoy. There has been a rise in the last year and people are starting to understand beverages and how fun they can be. I am looking forward to more growth.

Skinny sunset cocktail
A Skinny Sunset – The Mixologist

B: Aliens arrive and they say serve us your best cocktail or else we will destroy this blue and green planet, what would you serve them?

AJ: The Summer Pink Punch, I don’t know anyone who doesnt like it after giving it a try.

Summer Pink Punch
Summer Pink Punch – The Mixologist

B: Do you get high on your supply *laughing*

AJ: I chose to call it quality assessment lol!

A game of crazy 8 and a blueberry Mojito
Quality Assement with Blueberry Mojito and a game of crazy 8

B: I notice you have spiced up your menu, Cocktail Bags you don’t see that every day… walk us through this idea.

AJ: Cocktail bags is something I came up with to make the whole process of purchasing cocktails from my brand an experience. Its been fun and people love them

Cocktail bags
Cocktail Bags – the Mixologist

B: What is the sound of your favourite cocktail…, what?…  The Sound of your favourite cocktail.

AJ: ……. fuuuuuu

Ashler Jaya Mixologist
The Mixologist

B: You wake up queen of the world, what would be your first decree to the world.

AJ: Alcohol will be on a: Buy One Get One Free in the stores.

B: Thanks you have been awesome and if this were like live on TV who would you want to wave and give a shoutout to?

AJ: Big shout kune mufes wangu Freda. Wadii wangu.

game of cards

B: Before you leave how about a quick and simple “recipe” is that what they called, that people can try…

AJ: Irish Lemonade

60ml Irish Whiskey
120ml Fresh Lemonade
Splash of Club Soda
2 Dashes bitters
Garnish with a Lemon/Min

  1. Pour all you ingredients into a shaker with a little ice.
  2. Shake and pour all contents including ice into your glass.
  3. Add a splash of club soda
  4. Stir and Garnish

** How to make lemonade: 1 cup lemon juice, 2 cups cold water and 1 cup simple syrup.

Irish Lemonade – The Mixologist

Connect up with The Beverage Whisperer Of Harare across the interwebs on various platforms

Twitter @The_Mixlogist_
Instagram The_Mixologist_ZW
Facebook TheMixologistZW
Youtube The Mixologist ZW

~B

PS Drink responsibly

NOTE: all images in this article courtesy of The Mixologist

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52 Comments

  1. This has been the most fun interview I have ever read. The pictures, the vibe and she even had a voice too it felt like tv. Yaaass to Zimbo sister kweening!!!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Haha oh yeah there’s still an alcohol ban that side…. We almost had one too I don’t envy you otherwise wouldn’t he able to order a couple of custom cocktails from the beverage whisperer 🤣

      I remember reading about how some restaurants were serving alcohol in teapots on the down low, like but who snitched 🤔
      ~B

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. What a FUN coffee share, er’ I mean beverage share! 🤣 Love all the photos and she’s one pretty lady and her drinks look good although I’d like them all non-alcoholic, please. The interview was great!! 😋🥰

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. With the kind of year we all having its great to have something to celebrate and it’s inspiring to see someone get recognition for doing something they clearly like doing (much like blogging haha)

      Support in whatever form is appreciated

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  12. This was a fun read! Thanks for sharing the recipe too, I might try that later in the spring! I’m a whiskey geek and just recently found interest in mixology… there’s lots to learn though.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. Very interesting! Zim is lucky not to have any booze bans right now. Jamesons is my favourite whiskey and with the lemonade is a cocktail I will try (I still have some Jamesons in the house somewhere).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hahaha nothing like trusty old Jameson to get through lockdowns and alcohol bans they gotta pay us for advertising 🤣
      We had a bit of an booze ban scare but it appears someone talked sense to the government that the beverage industry is as essential as groceries 🤣

      Cheers to the new month
      ~B

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  14. Wow, Beaton. Thanks so much for this fun, entertaining post. I rarely drink alcohol these days, but it takes me back to a few cocktail parties I’ve been to over the years, especially as a university student. However, the certainly lacked her finesse and sophistication. Cocktails at the Engineers cocktail party were served out of a plastic rubbish bin. I’ve also been to a few bring a bottle affairs and quite liked a Brandy Alexander.
    Hope you have a great week.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. hahahaha I know right it takes an artist to make us remember that cocktails aren’t just pouring stuff into a Disposable plastic bin🤣🤣🤣 at varsity and college the culture is more about how much can you drink instead of savouring the flavours
      Have an awesome week cheers
      ~B

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Yes, these uni drinking cultures are the same the world over, aren’t they! Savouring a few of her cocktails near our ocal beach would be perfect. INdeed, there’s a place that sells cocktails on the waterfront here. Might have to pay them a visit.
        Best wishes,
        Rowena

        Liked by 1 person

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