The MAFFEO DRINKS Podcast
081 | Alice Bidini | Negronis Are Not For Everyone | Four Seasons Riyadh
Nov 11, 2024
Alice Bidini, an accomplished bartender and bar manager at the Four Seasons in Riyadh, shares her international journey from Rome to London and beyond. She explores cultural beverage preferences, contrasting the sweetness favored in the Middle East with European bitterness. The conversation delves into the unique challenges of non-alcoholic bartending in Saudi Arabia and the need for creative adaptations in Italian cuisine and drinks to suit local tastes. Tune in for insights into how diverse drinking cultures shape the global bar scene!
29:17
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Quick takeaways
- Cultural influences significantly affect beverage preferences, as evidenced by the contrast between Italy's bitter drinks and Saudi Arabia's preference for sweet flavors.
- Bartenders in dry markets like Saudi Arabia face unique challenges in creating appealing non-alcoholic cocktails, requiring them to educate and guide consumers in new drinking experiences.
Deep dives
Cultural Differences in Beverage Preferences
Working across various global cities like Rome, London, Kuala Lumpur, and Riyadh reveals significant differences in consumer beverage preferences and cultural practices. In Saudi Arabia, the taste palette is predominantly sweet, contrasting sharply with the bitter notes favored in Italian culture, such as the common enjoyment of bitter Amaro after meals. This divergence necessitates an understanding of local customs, as an Italian drink like Negroni, which is appreciated for its bitterness, may be off-putting to Saudi consumers. By recognizing and adapting to these differences, bartenders can better meet their customers’ expectations and preferences.
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