INTERVIEW – Alex Kammerling | KAMMERLING’S

We caught up with Alex Kammerling, who recently launched Kammerling’s –  his own new Ginseng Spirit.

Alex has created a number of signature cocktails for brands such as Stolichnaya vodka and Campari. Alex quickly became a key figure in the drinks industry, which lead him to publish his own cocktail book  ‘Blend Me, Shake ME’ and becoming Grey Goose’s brand ambassador.

How would you describe Kammerling’s Ginseng Spirit?

Kammerling’s is a totally unique spirit made with 45 natural botanicals, including 4 types of Ginseng, fresh grapefruit peels and maunka honey. It’s made like gin in a pot still, but it is not as strong and has a lovely complex bitter finish.

What motivated you to create your own Spirit?

Since I started bartending 18 years ago, I have been on a mission to improve the way people drink. The drinking culture in the UK is pretty bad (almost embarrassing) compared with the European attitude to alcohol and I have always been about quality not quantity. Kammerling’s was created to be less alcoholic than standard spirits – the focus is instead on a delicious and more sophisticated taste.

Kammerling’s Ginseng Spirit goes best with…?

How do you think London’s drinks industry has changed in the last years?

There is an amazing drinking culture in certain niche bars in London, which has pushed up the standard of the whole industry. Bartenders are so passionate and knowledgeable now.

What is your favourite hidden gem in London?

I love small bars like Lounge Bohemia, 69 Colebrooke Row and Casita.

It’s 8:00pm Saturday. What are you doing?

If I’m not working behind the bar at 69 Colebrooke Row, I will be somewhere with a glass of Kammerling’s in hand (for quality control reasons only of course!)