World champion bartender JJ Hendricks reveals the secrets behind Cape Town’s favourite cocktails

Meet JJ Hendricks, the engineering student turned world-champion bartender who's redefining South Africa's cocktail scene. As head bartender at Cape Town's acclaimed Fable and winner of Diageo World Class Africa 2022, JJ reveals the fascinating intersection of science, storytelling, and showmanship that goes into crafting unforgettable drinks. Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast, hospitality professional, or merely curious about the creative process behind world-class drinks, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of Africa's most celebrated bartenders.

In this episode, discover:

Why JJ believes that cocktails should be "liquid theatre"

How JJ transforms South African folklore into liquid experiences

His innovative three-tier menu strategy and the future of ready-to-drink cocktails

Why a Long Island iced tea is a boring cocktail

Plus, listen to Katie Bailiie, WCellar Category Manager, tell us how Woolworths adopts international trends and how they look at cocktail bars to see what customers want.

New episodes on WednesdaysBrought to you by Woolworths Produced by POP24

Shop the Snack & Yap products: https://www.woolworths.co.za/cat/_/N-o3pw8w?Exact=true Our legal team wants you to read this disclaimer: ⁠https://bit.ly/4s4MKux

WCellar: https://www.woolworths.co.za/cat/WCellar/Spirits/_/N-12epel9?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23252331975&gbraid=0AAAABBw-AAej8hEp8LKENur9DcFuaeAHV&gclid=CjwKCAjwnZfPBhAGEiwAzg-VzAqSLKrFVUramdXSbyPoWVL0z8qSzwI2IZhnmU06rFj9dLhL6t-NCxoCFpkQAvD_BwE

Fable: https://fablecocktailbar.capetown/