Master Mixologist: Pekka Pellinen of FINLANDIA VODKA

As a child in Pohjanmaa, Finland, Pekka Pellinen grew up watching the wind ripple golden barley fields around his home. So he might have aspired to become a farmer. On the other hand, there also was a nearby distillery. So he might have considered a career as a distiller. But who can predict a young boy's dreams? Instead, he fantasized life has a street cleaner driving a big sweeper machine.

Fortunately for everyone, the barley and distillery won out, and he eventually became what you might call a human "drinkapedia" - someone who knows everything there is to know about mixing cocktail drinks.

So how, you might ask, does someone train for a job like that? Well, an obvious start is behind a bar mixing drinks. And Pekka spent many years doing just that for some of the finest bars and restaurants in Finland. He even founded a school for training bartenders. Along the way, he won international awards for his mixing skills and cocktail creations.

Naturally, a virtuoso of such exceptional talent demands the purest, best tasting ingredients he can find. Predictably, that led Pekka to the world of vodka. As the Master Mixologist, he now travels the world - more than 100 cities so far - training bartenders. An explorer by nature, he's also visited most of the world's best bars. His mission? A search for new cocktail ideas and trends around the world. His motto, then, is no surprise: "A good mixologist can always choose and mix the right drink, at the right time and place, for the right people!"

The only surprise is that a boy who wanted to be a street cleaner became a world renowned mixologist. So what if his childhood fantasy didn't come true? Pekka says he's not disappointed one bit.

After all, he's living the dream of every bartender on the planet.

Broadwayworld.com had the pleasure of interviewing Pekka Pellinen about his career and FINLANDIA for our "Master Mixologist" feature.

When did you first become interested in the cocktail culture?

When I was in high school, during summer holidays, I travelled all around Europe by train visiting different vineyards, distilleries, breweries, bars & restaurants.

What innovations in mixology and bartending do you find fascinating? (This can be new products, liquors, seasonal ingredients, etc.)

A mixologist or bartender is like a chef. For me, new ingredients and trends are always fascinating- like foraging. Why use ingredients another side of the world because you can use those outside of your door? Most places you can pick up garnishes and ingredients to your cocktails way to work!

How do restaurant and bar guests encourage your creativity?

Many of the guests have traveled a lot and they have very good ideas about ingredients, garnishes, etc. You can always pick up a different kind of idea, modify that to suit your brand / bar and use that. You just have to be open minded and ask questions of the people that you meet.

What are your preferred "classic cocktails" and why?

Vodka Martini. I think it's the most difficult cocktail in the world. Only two ingredients but there's nothing to hide. Everything needs to be perfect. Smooth & pure vodka, just opened dry Vermouth, chilled glass, excellent ice to stir the cocktail, fresh lemon twist and olives.

Second is Bloody Mary. I call that Gazpacho. You can "cook" a perfect tomato soup, chill that and add shot of vodka. So many variations what you can use an ingredient and garnish. Maybe you garnish with saltines. Maybe you add a little extra spiciness depending on your mood and guests.

What are some of your favorite infusions and how you like to use them in drinks?

Polypody root gives a nice licorice taste and aroma. It's a perfect combination with ginger, apple and honey.

Spruce sprouts provide excellent wooden notes for all kind of long drink cocktails.

Tell us about a few of your signature cocktails and why they are distinctive.

FINLANDIA Herbarium- Combination of Vodka, sweet & sour, salt, egg white (or aqua faba) herbs and soda. Normally I use basil but you can replace that of any kind of pleasant herb like thyme, sage, coriander, rosemary etc.

Baltic Sea Sour. FINLANDIA Grapefruit, sweet & sour, dill, cumin seeds, salt & pepper. Nice combination of freshness and saltines.

Give us your perfect pairing for a cocktail and a culinary selection.

Gazpacho (Bloody Mary) with small tartar beef.

Chocolate (white) cookies with lingonberries & Raspberry Vodka Espresso Martini.

To learn more about FINLANDIA, their products, and cocktail recipes, please visit their web site at https://www.finlandia.com/us/.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of FINLANDIA and Pekka Pellinen

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