Q Drinks launches bartender exchange programme

Carbonated mixer producer Q Drinks has created an exclusive exchange programme where bartenders can experience what living and working is like for their peers in different cities.

The Highball’r initiative aims to give bartenders a “hyper-local, day-in-the-life” experience of a bartender in a host city.

Bars taking part in the programme include Herbs & Rye in Las Vegas, Fukushu Restaurant Group in Tucson, the Bottle Cap Group in Charlotte, Bottle & Barlow in Sacramento and Mandarin Hide in Tampa.

Each two-day event will include a day of exploring the host city as a local, plus a one-night guest shift at the host bar.

The initiative will conclude at Bar Convent Brooklyn from 11-13 June.

Jaron Berkhemer, Q Drinks vice president of marketing, said: “With Highball’r, we’re engaging the trade and celebrating the sense of camaraderie in our industry by giving our hosts a chance to show off a bit.

“Bartenders experience their home cities very differently than even other locals and one could make the argument that nobody knows a city better than its bartenders.

“Also – we highlight the beauty of simple drinks done very well. With Q, a simple Highball cocktail becomes an elevated experience and we are inviting likeminded people around the country to experience this first hand.”