MOHAMMAD ALI

Founder and partner at The Mixologist

He may not be the legendary boxer, but they’ve definitely got a lot in common. Ask him anything alcohol-related and it’s a little difficult to let him stop. He’ll go into history, chemistry and the mechanics of the said alcohol. But get him behind the bar and the talking stops. His effortless weaving and bobbing between the tools and the ingredients will make you a fan. And he’ll do all this with immaculate technique. He makes it look effortless. (And if you’re lucky you’ll see him TALKING to the tools). The passion is etched onto his face. As a boxing commentator would say, “he’s got heart”.

Of course all the passion in the world can’t make you a professional. It takes grit and perseverance. And that simply is his story.And it was worth it.

From a waiter to a bar professional, the journey has been entertaining to say the least. Once a waiter at a beach shack in Palolem, he saw a British couple flairing at his establishment. Intrigued, he asked them how they were so bad at breaking bottles. After a lot of laughs and a few months, he got the hang of it and decided he actually loved being behind the bar. If nothing else, it felt like home. He moved up to North Goa and decided to educate himself. He studied at IHM Goa and completed a course in bartending.He ran into some of India’s best Mixologists of the time and boy did he learn.

He has worked in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Kolkata etc. this could take a while. The point is he’s worked all over India in some of the most respected establishments which includes The TajVivanta, Hard Rock Café amongst others. During this time, he has also taken part in and won a lot of bartending competitions in India.

After ten years in the industry he decided to start up his own bartending company. With experience of this magnitude, who could argue with the man?