On his visit to the Jaeger-LeCoultre manufactory
“During that visit I was able to discover all the passion, detail, technique and artistic ability they have. That was the inspiration to make decisions such as painting the glasses or engraving the ice in different cocktails. On the other hand, by exploring the area I was able to discover the leaves, roots, flowers and fruits found in the Vallée de Joux. That allowed me to choose the precise ingredients for each cocktail.”
The similarities between cocktail making and watchmaking
“Watchmaking is synonymous with great passion and complexity in the details of each piece. When creating a cocktail collection, we need that same passion, especially on a project like this. Finding the right products to create the desired flavors is imperative. This collaboration allowed me to discover the world of watchmaking and that was also an invaluable experience”.
The creative process of the collection
“The concept around which this collection of cocktails revolves is the celestial world. I chose four pillars: the Sun, the Moon, the stars and the Earth. For example, in the case of the cocktail inspired by the Sun, Sun Infinity, I wanted to recreate slightly spicy flavors, so before thinking about the presentation, I thought about the ingredients. I chose passion fruit, honey with saffron, mint and chamomile from the Vallée de Joux. For the presentation, I chose a balloon glass that represents the Sun. On top it has some garnishes that are a sphere of white chocolate and passion fruit and some circles made with fruit paste. The drink is served inside a glass bell filled with smoke. The other four cocktails are inspired by nature”.
About the decision not to use alcohol in recipes
“The fact that these cocktails do not have alcohol does not respond to a trend, it is rather an evolution. All over the world – from Australia and Asia to Europe and the United States – you can see that ditching alcohol is a big step for the bar industry and mixology. On the other hand, avoiding its use allows us to reach all generations, cultures and religions.”
What you want to generate in those who try your creations
“First of all, I want people to have a pleasant experience when trying them, but I also want them to understand the link between Jaeger-LeCoultre, the world of celestial bodies and this collection of drinks. This experience begins when they arrive and sit at the bar, read the menu and choose their cocktail. Then sight, smell and taste come into play, but in the end, all the senses participate.