All Mixed Up: Jade Lau, Specialty Brand Ambassador of Pernod Ricard HK

Our continent loves a good drink. To cool off from our temperate weather and hot food, you can find us huddled in an airconned bar sipping on something cool, sexy, and clean. To celebrate our boozing culture, All Mixed Up explores the stories behind Asia’s famed mixologists, bartenders, and cupbearers that make our tipples and what makes them tick.

Standing as brand ambassador for speciality brands at Pernod Ricard Hong Kong and Macau, Jade Lau began her career in earnest as a bartender in 2019 at Gecko Jazz & Whisky Bar in her hometown of Hong Kong.

After working at the Tiffany's NY Bar at the Intercontinental Grand Stafford Hotel in Kowloon, Jade moved on to the all-day dining concept bar, Double Shot, as head bartender. In 2019, Jade achieved the 2nd Runner Up title in the International Chinese Baijiu Cocktail Competition and was named the 1st Runner Up in The Art of Italicus.

The tattooed serious bartender was further recognized in 2020 for her work in Hong Kong as the Time Out Bar Award Rising Star. Following her successes, she joined Pernod Ricard Hong Kong and Macau to help promote the brands and educate bartenders on sustainability. The Beat Asia took five minutes out of her day to quiz her about her brilliant career thus far.

What first stunted your interest in mixology and beverage making?

Because I like booze, especially having a few cocktails with good friends. With Hong Kong changing constantly, I thought about what if I move to another city, what should I do for living that’ll make it easy? Why not trying bartending?

What was your first job and how did get addicted to mixing?

Bartending at Gecko on Ezra’s Lane in SoHo, a live jazz and whisky bar. My customers loved the drinks I made.

Tell us about your relationship with Pernod Ricard. What is your work like as a speciality brand ambassador?

Glenlivet 18 is the first whisky I fell in love with, and Pernod Ricard is the first supplier I have worked with during my bartender life. Now, working as a specialty brand ambassador for Pernod Ricard, I represent some brands that you might know, such as Monkey 47, Ki no Bi, Absolut, and more.

I am the face of these brands in Hong Kong & Macau markets, where I host events for example guest shifts, masterclasses for bartenders & consumers.

What advice would you give for hobbyists and new entrants in the industry interested in mixology?

The bar industry is fun but please be ready to work until very late and for long hours. Work on keeping and learning different skills and knowledge in all aspects of the job. The main point is to be humble.

What has been your experience working as a female bartender in Hong Kong?

I think I am the lucky one who works in Hong Kong as a female bartender. Everyone I worked with has been nice to me.

The only bad experience I had was five years ago, when a male guest refused to let me make a martini for him, saying he didn’t think female bartenders can make good cocktails.

At the end of the day, I still made the drink and didn’t tell him it was made by me. He was so surprised when I told him afterwards.

In your opinion, what can the industry and Hong Kong mixologists do to bring more females into bartending and mixology?

I think we are bringing more females to industry step by step, and we can utilise the power of social media to showcase the growing trend of females in our industry to become another major force in the bar industry.

What is next for yourself with Pernod Ricard and mixing?

Travel more and try to bring more overseas bartenders to Hong Kong.