An Interview with a Brand Ambassador on Signature Style, Flavour Experiments and Modern Mixology

My journey began more than 15 years ago with a simple desire to work with people. Over time, I realised that a bar is about much more than drinks. It is about emotions, atmosphere and the experience you create for each guest. Mixology became a way for me to tell stories through flavour. That was when I understood that I did not simply want to make cocktails — I wanted to develop my own signature style.

People. Every guest comes with their own story, and a cocktail often becomes part of their evening — or even a lasting memory. I am inspired by the opportunity to create emotions and by the fact that there is always room to grow in this profession.

Honest. Bold. Elegant.

Almost always with an idea. I ask myself: what should the guest feel after the first sip? Only then do I select the flavours, aromas, textures and ingredients that will help convey that emotion. I like to begin by making a sketch or choosing an image for inspiration, and then selecting the flavours to match it.

Very strongly. We can replicate recipes, but we cannot replicate someone’s way of thinking. Every bartender brings their personality, experience and even their mood into a cocktail. That is what makes signature cocktails unique.

Vodka is one of the most versatile tools in mixology. It does not overpower the other ingredients, allowing them to fully express themselves. That is why it can be used to create both light, refreshing cocktails and complex gastronomic compositions.

For me, purity of flavour, texture, aftertaste and aroma are all important. A good vodka should be well-balanced. It should not “shout” but support the overall balance of the drink.

It is difficult for me to choose just one, as each product has its own character, purpose and distinctive experience.

Nemiroff De Luxe is a versatile classic. Its clean, balanced flavour makes it possible to create practically any cocktail — from timeless classics to surprising signature serves.

Nemiroff Reserve is ideal for more complex, gastronomic compositions. It is particularly interesting to explore in cocktails, especially gimlets — for example, in combinations featuring spicy, aged or even savoury notes.

LEX by Nemiroff is all about a premium experience. It is not a product you want to disguise with too many ingredients. On the contrary, it inspires minimalist cocktails in which every component matters and highlights the vodka’s inherent elegance.

I really enjoy working with local Ukrainian ingredients. They have a distinctive character and pair beautifully with Nemiroff’s clean flavour profile. Seasonal berries, fruits, herbs, vegetables, honey and fermented ingredients help create cocktails with a genuine sense of place. For me, it is a way of expressing Ukrainian terroir through the language of mixology.

Salt. Just a few drops of saline solution can give a cocktail greater depth, enhance its sweetness, soften sharp edges and bring all the flavours together. It is an ingredient that is barely noticeable on its own, yet makes a significant difference to the final result.

I really appreciate the focus on local ingredients, seasonality and mindful consumption. I also connect with the idea of “drink less, taste more” — less alcohol, with a greater emphasis on quality and flavour.

However, I am cautious about trends created purely for the sake of an impressive picture. For me, flavour will always matter more than a wow factor.

I always recommend keeping things simple. Good vodka does not need ten different ingredients. Try Nemiroff De Luxe with tonic water or soda, then add a slice of grapefruit or lemon, or your favourite botanical, and you will already have a balanced, refreshing cocktail.

Simplicity often reveals flavour better than a complicated recipe, especially when making cocktails at home.

It would be a Vodka Martini. It may seem simple, but it leaves no room for error. Every detail matters: temperature, balance, dilution and the quality of the ingredients.

It is precisely through this simplicity that elegance emerges. This philosophy is very close to me: true mastery is revealed when something complex appears effortless.