Heisenberg | Mix and Match

Forget cocktail menus. Today's individualists like to get their drinks mixed according to personal preferences by their trusted barkeeper. We noticed at Heisenberg bar in Neukölln that the bar had simply discharged their drinks menu. Owner and bartender Robert Bettendorf takes things strictly personal – everyone gets a customized drink. Bettendorf has been in the food and drink industry for almost 20 years and had high standards not only for his bar's interior, but for the drinks as well. Quality trumps profit for Bettendorf, who only asks for a symbolic price of 3,50 for all drinks. “Sure I'd have to charge more for a whiskey so this doesn't turn into a losing game.” But Bettendorf has never been much of a profit monger.

He likes to surprise waverers with creative mixtures instead. High alcohol percentages aren't the most important asset here, what matters is refined taste. “You can tell by the way a guest walks in here and looks around what kind of drink he or she is looking for” says Bettendorf. Even the seasons play a specific role. People like light drinks in the summer and dark ones in the wintertime. Customers' age and gender factor into the equation too. Men prefer masculine-bitter flavors, women prefer sweet.

The concept of cocktail psychology has been around for a while. Not all bars take it so far as to entirely rid themselves of a beverage list, but a professional bartender will always consult each drinker individually and guide him or her through the plethora of alcoholic drinking delights. Is it fruity and exotic that you're looking for? Would you like to forget about the day as fast as possible or drift into the night subtely? Real cocktail whizzes will even take into consideration what customers had for dinner before they ordered. At Beckett's Kopf on Pappelallee, the bar staff is known for the quality of their drinks and, especially, their drinking recommendations. Oliver Ebert works behind the bar here, and he can tell you that after a seafood meal, you should go for a light drink. Try cocktails with different bitters, limes, orange liqueur and gin. While Beckett's Kopf does have a menu (it changes each season), its personell likes it best when customers order something out-of-the box.

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