- Name: Monu Mohan
- YouTube: Cocktail Machan
- Instagram: @cocktail.machan
- Favorite Cocktail: Penicillin, as he loves the whiskey and ginger flavors, which balance the scotch perfectly.
- Favorite Non-Alcoholic Drink: Various types of tea, such as Oolong tea, which he can also use to create enticing cocktails.
Monu Mohan, a talented mixologist at Bonny Moon Beach Club in the Cayman Islands, has built an inspiring career across the globe, blending the art of bartending with cultural authenticity. His journey into mixology began with a B.Sc. in Hotel Management, followed by a pivotal internship at the Leela Palace in Bangalore. There, a bartender named Guru Prashant left a lasting impression, offering Monu a first glimpse into the world of bartending. This experience ignited his passion for the craft and set him on a path to mastery.
After completing a bartending course at the Indian Institute of Bartending in Chennai, Monu worked his way through various positions, eventually moving to Dubai. His career took a transformative turn when he joined a cruise ship and later moved to Malta, where he worked at a Michelin-starred restaurant—a career milestone that fulfilled a long-standing dream. Two years of refining his skills in such a prestigious setting elevated Monu’s expertise, eventually leading him to Marriott before landing his current role at Bonny Moon Beach Club in Cayman Islands.
While Monu’s international career was blossoming, he also embarked on a journey of creating regional content on instagram, focusing on the rich traditions and flavors of Kerala, his home state.
How Regional Ingredients Shape His Creations
As a bartender working in Cayman, Monu has a unique advantage—his deep understanding of Indian spices and aromas. This cultural background allows him to create cocktails with an authenticity and edge “These components provide richness, culture, and stories, which I incorporate into my cocktails and presentations,” Monu says. His Indian roots have been especially valuable in creating culturally significant cocktails during themed nights, where his deep knowledge of flavors and aromas helps him craft drinks that reflect the essence of Indian culture.
For Monu, regional ingredients also play a crucial role in his content creation. “While working with international ingredients like Tonka beans or Juniper berries, my followers in Kerala expect cocktails that incorporate local ingredients. I want to ensure they don’t feel like the ingredients are alien, so I focus on using what is available in the market in Kerala,” he says.
Content Creation Amidst a Global Career
The inspiration behind Monu’s content creation came from a gap he noticed in Kerala—there was a lack of knowledge about cocktails. Though people in Kerala loved to drink, few understood the intricacies behind cocktails. “I started my channel to educate people about cocktails—the stories behind them,” Monu recalls. The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be the right time to create Instagram videos that would reach his audience and spread this knowledge.
Monu’s regional roots also helped him overcome unique challenges in international bartending. “In India, cocktail orders were few, so I knew the recipes but had to learn how to efficiently create drinks in high-demand environments. As Indians, we are naturally adaptable, and that helped me adjust to the international scene,” he notes.
Balancing Career and Content
Managing a social media presence while working in international bartending has its challenges. “Scheduling posts and managing content with the time zone differences and work commitments has been difficult, but I’m adapting,” Monu shares. His social media presence has been invaluable, giving him an edge in interviews and offering a platform to promote products and share his expertise.
Advice for Aspiring Bartenders
Monu’s advice for young bartenders is simple yet profound. “In the hospitality industry, three things matter most: technical skills, communication skills, and attitude,” he says. Mastering techniques like shaking, stirring, and clarification is essential. But it’s equally important to communicate the story behind a cocktail to the guest. Above all, having the right attitude towards the industry—humility, dedication, and passion—is what will lead to success.
Looking ahead, Monu plans to move to the U.S. to explore new opportunities in the bartending scene. As for content creation, he wants to evolve his channel from basic cocktail techniques to more advanced, nuanced videos that will continue to educate and inspire.
Monu’s journey is a testament to how passion, cultural authenticity, and a commitment to educating others can transform a career.