Giffard’s Pastille Day: Vive Les Femmes Women’s Forum

Giffard, the makers of fine French syrups and liqueurs, gathered Spirit Sisters from the local bar industry for a women forum during the Eve of Bastille Day last July 13 at Commune Cafe + Bar in Poblacion. The event was attended by spirit collectors, aspiring bartenders, bar-curious, and bar pros. 

The theme of the event, Pastille Day: Vive Les Femmes, was a play on Bastille Day and Giffard Menthe-Pastille (the white mint liqueur that started the brand). DrinkManila’s editor-in-chief Tatum Ancheta and resident mixologist Icy Marinas, Limbo’s bartender Kiara Opeda, and seasoned mixologist Kathryn Eckstein are the speakers during the forum while Savoroso Inc’s Danee Macatulad served as the moderator.

The ladies covered a lot of ground. Topics ranged from how they got started in the industry coupled with the challenges as a woman in a currently male-dominated field (though that gap is closing). The women also shared their success stories and how the future of the beverage industry is going to be bright and exciting, with more women coming into the fold. The discussion also tackled how to deal with harassment and difficult customers in the hospitality field. The mixologists also addressed how to put service on the same level as technique. 

It was an insightful afternoon, and we can’t wait for the next installment of the women forum.  

Watch the live coverage of Pastille Day: Vive les Femmes PART 1 I PART 2

The conversations continued over cocktails at Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen. Vanessa Rabadon of NoKal, Kiara Opeda of Limbo, and Agimat’s own Rafah Fernandez went behind the stick to mix delectable cocktails using Giffard syrups and liqueurs. 

Kiara served two drinks, the sophisticated Let Them Drink Cake (Bourbon, Giffard Creme de Framboise, Giffard Menthe-Pastille, lemon juice, cacao bitters, and whole egg) and the delicate and floral Venus on Vacation (gin, Giffard Watermelon Liqueur, Giffard Elderflower Syrup, lemon juice, celery fire bitters, and soda water).

Vanessa Rabadon of NoKal offered the tempting French Kiss (gin, Giffard Framboise de Ronce, Giffard Guava Syrup, lemon juice, Peychaud’s Bitters, and egg white) and the light and fruity sweet Bastille Highball (Suntory Kakubin, Giffard Watermelon Liqueur, Giffard Cucumber Syrup, Giffard Menthe-Pastille, lemon juice, and soda water).

Agimat’s own Rafah Fernandez whipped up Dalagang Pilipina, a layered drink that tasted like a salted caramel coconut cookie. The drink used white rum, Kanto Salter Caramel, Giffard Chai Tea Syrup, Giffard Gingerbread Syrup, orange juice, lemon juice, and coconut foam. 

For more updates on Vive Les Femmes talks, follow @giffardasia and @giffard.ph on Instagram.