Bartender Showcase
Meet the Bar Meisters from across the nation
Will Lester
Welcome to Bartender Showcase featuring Will Lester! Bartender Showcase brings the best bartending talent from across the country. These passionate and gifted artists are leaders within the industry and are educating and inspiring through their shaker tins.
- Press play on Will Lester's Spotify playlist & enjoy the tunes.
- Learn about Will Lester's cocktail below.
Will Lester's Spotify playlist & inspiration
People always ask me what my favorite cocktail is, and my response is always 'It depends.' What it depends on never changes: set and setting. Different bars provide different ambiance and energy which influences what I'm in the mood for. Music is a huge factor for me when creating drinks and while imbibing. This playlist is a collection of songs that put me in the mood to make drinks and to drink drinks, and also a collection of sounds you'll hear at the ar any given evening.
Heel Turn
Will Lester
Cocktail Name:Heel Turn
Recipe:
- ½ part Jagermeister
- ½ part Jagermeister Cold Brew Coffee
- 1 part Cachaca Amburana
- ¼ part Cinnamon-infused Banana Liqueur
- 1 dash Pimento Dram
- 1 dash Herbsaint
- 1 dash Bogart Bitters
Glass: Old Fashioned
Garnish: Orange Peel
Method: Combine all ingredients into mixing glass with ice. Stir and Strain over fresh ice or large format ice. Garnish with orange peel.
Tips & Tricks:
Cinnamon-infused Banana Liqueur: 750ml Banana Liqueur, 3 Cinnamon Sticks, Infuse for 24 hours and strain.
What do you love about your city?
Arriving in New Orleans the first special thing I noticed was the people. While the architecture and history is majestic and easy to admire the first thing I fell in love with are the people who reside here, but primarily who are from here. Some of the most unique, warm, and interesting people you’ll find anywhere. Spending any amount of time in this resilient city will give you a deeper sense of purpose and appreciation for cocktails and the service industry in general. The cuisine and music that originated from this city drives the culture of the entire country.
Cocktail Inspiration:
The Heel Turn was inspired by my love of New Orleans cuisine, specifically Bananas Foster. The Bananas Foster was invented by the Brennan’s in the French Quarter in 1951. Amburana Cachaca was chosen to represent the rum used in this decadent dessert. Amburana wood imparts a savory, spicy note that when combined with the cinnamon-infused banana liqueur, and Jagermeister Cold Brew, is like drinking a classic New Orleans dessert while sipping on an after dinner coffee. We strive to have a few foods-inspired cocktails on our menus, the Hell Turn being an example.
William Lester was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. After serving in the Army and working for United States intelligence he transitioned to teaching for the military. Looking for a career change William eventually found himself traveling to New Orleans to spend time with his sisters. He moved to New Orleans in 2014 and started bartending shortly after. Originally bartending was a means to an end until he tried a cocktail from the legendary Chris Hannah. After experiencing what can be done with cocktails William decided to fully dedicate himself to craft cocktails. William began as a beverage director in February of 2022. When he's not working you can find him haunting the French Quarter at local establishments.
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