A born-and-raised Calgarian, Jeff Savage is a self-taught historian of spirits. He brings the tastes from global travels and mixes up unexpected flavour combinations. Savage was most recently named as a national finalist in the Diageo World Class and Bombay Sapphire Most Imaginative bartender. With a love for the mountains and nature, it is no surprise Jeff has set his roots at Botanist. We recently sat down with Jeff to learn more about the man mixing it up behind the bar.
WHERE YOU WILL FIND ME
Behind the bar at Botanist, creating unique and memorable cocktails.
WHAT I CAN DO FOR YOU
I love to play with flavour combinations, styles, textures, scents, and colours, all while throwing someone for a loop when they experience something they weren’t expecting.
HOW DID MY CAREER START
After catching the travel bug to study in the Middle East for ten years, I opened several bars in Calgary before taking on the role as bar manager at one of the city’s best, Proof cocktail lounge.
MY DRINK OF CHOICE
What about three? I rotate between them often; Negroni, Daiquiri or a Sazerac. It’s likely one of those three, a glass of wine, or a dram of whiskey, likely peated, and always neat.
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT MY JOB
Being a bartender connects me with a deep history of great and talented women and men who have worked behind the stick, aiming to make people feel warm and connected, and allows them a moment of reprieve from the stress of their lives. I feel at home behind a bar.
MY FAVOURITE SPOT IN THE CITY
Anywhere in the trees. I am in love with nature and the outdoors, and take any chance I can get out to enjoy it.
Recently Jeff revamped the Botanist cocktail menu with seven new, instagram-worthy, cocktails. To view the current cocktail menu, click here.
