Meet The Mixologist: Zak Lindahl

Zak Lindahl is beverage director at The Nationwide, Autograph Assortment lodge in Oklahoma Metropolis, OK

What was your first job within the beverage or hospitality trade?

I received my begin early, washing dishes at my household’s taco store once I was twelve. That job taught me the tempo and vitality of service work. From there, I moved via practically each front-of-house place: cashier, server’s assistant, barback, and finally, bartender.

The true turning level got here throughout an apprenticeship at a premier cocktail bar, the place I used to be the primary to finish their full coaching program. That have gave me a basis in traditional approach, pace and hospitality that I nonetheless carry with me.

What’s your favourite spirit to work with in the meanwhile?

Proper now, I’m having fun with working with agave spirits, particularly non-diffuser-method, additive-free tequilas and well-made mezcals. The range of regional expressions, manufacturing strategies and maturation kinds provides plenty of inventive room for cocktails that may be both vivid and citrusy or layered and savory. There’s a transparency to the very best agave spirits that rewards considerate development and delicate modifiers.

What’s the focus or specialties of the beverage program at your bar?

This system at The Nationwide is constructed round storytelling, approach and setting. We function inside a restored 1931 financial institution, and the dimensions of the area, with vault doorways, hovering columns and marble all the pieces, calls for a way of drama. We lean into that with traditional construction, layered flavors and elevated shows.

The cocktails are considerate with out being fussy, and our bartenders are educated to deal with service like a stage. Our menus are break up between timeless builds and ingenious originals, a lot of which nod to the historical past of finance, Prohibition or the constructing itself.

The Nationwide just lately opened The Vault cocktail lounge set behind the unique financial institution vault doorways of the historic First Nationwide Middle; what are you able to inform us in regards to the drinks supplied on the venue?

The Vault is a whimsical cocktail expertise hidden behind the unique vault doorways within the basement of the financial institution. The menu usually adjustments seasonally and performs on concepts of luxurious, secrecy and spectacle. You’ll see uncommon spirits, surprising taste combos and dramatic shows like smoked domes, clarified citrus or drinks garnished tableside with hearth or florals.

It’s designed to really feel each unique and immersive, and every cocktail tells a narrative, whether or not it’s a couple of tax scandal, a misplaced forex or a fictional heist. There’s additionally an unique bespoke cocktail expertise that challenges each the bartender and visitor, because the visitor will attempt their luck at cracking open a security deposit field whereas the bartender crafts a novel cocktail tailor-made only for the person visitor.

What a number of the well-liked drinks on the Italian-inspired eatery Tellers?

Tellers leans closely into Italian aperitivo tradition, so our Negroni and Spritz variations are at all times prime sellers. That stated, the cocktails usually are not completely constructed round Italian spirit or amari. The Sicilian Blood Orange Spritz is a standout, bittersweet, bubbly and citrus-forward, constructed with Aperol, blood orange and prosecco.

One other visitor favourite is Message In A Bottle, a savory riff that includes Jamaican rum, Ramazzotti amaro, velvet falernum and lime with a dusting of black salt and Outdated Bay. It brings a daring, briny edge that performs fantastically with seafood and coastal Italian dishes. At Tellers, we purpose for cocktails that elevate the meals whereas honoring the Italian spine of the area.

Usually, what drinks do you see visitors having fun with or asking for today?

Friends are extra educated than ever, and so they’re usually on the lookout for experiences: home cocktails with aptitude, considerate riffs on classics or spirit-forward builds with uncommon elements. That stated, Espresso Martinis, Margaritas and Outdated Fashioneds aren’t going wherever. We see plenty of requests for clarified cocktails, barrel-aged choices, and agave-forward drinks with a spicy or savory twist. Folks need one thing they haven’t had earlier than, but it surely nonetheless must be good.

What’s your present go-to cocktail or beverage?

If I’m sitting on the bar, it’s in all probability a split-base Outdated Customary with a cool aged rum and a high-rye bourbon. At dwelling, I lean into easy: mezcal with Topo Chico and lime or a bitter amaro over ice. I like drinks that don’t shout however nonetheless have one thing to say.

Would you share a recipe for probably the most well-liked on the lodge, or one in all your favourite drinks?

The Not Bizarre… Scrumptious cocktail, a tropical-leaning hybrid of a Mai Tai and a Trinidad Bitter, checks each bins. It’s surprising however balanced and crowd-pleasing — a kind of drinks that surprises individuals and turns into a favourite quick.