MATT BOYLE
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
1.Where are you from?
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
2. Where do you currently work?
The Clever Barkeep
3. How long have you been bartending?
Started bartending at 17 at a resort in Digby, NS; formally bartending for 10 years.
4. At what moment in your life did you decide to become a professional bartender?
No significant moment, it just became my lifestyle.
5. What is your favourite cocktail? Why?
Too many to nail down just one! But if I had to, Daiquiri; refreshing, balanced and highlights one of my favorite spirits – RUM!
6. What is the cocktail you despise most? Why?
Watered-down cocktails! Too much dilution! Hurts my soul.
7. What is your go-to/favourite ingredient?
RUM!
8. Which alcohol do you take as a shot?
Whiskey or Rum
9. What is your favourite cocktail bar in the city? Why?
Highwayman & Field Guide; trend setters in the cocktail realm 😀
10. Do you have a funny bar story to tell us?
My first time making jalapeño syrup, I put piping-hot simple syrup into a Vitamix with jalapenos; the Vitamix was on FULL SPEED; it exploded and the syrup went all over, burning me. My chef looked at me and said, “Idiot…”. All I could do was laugh while being in extreme pain 😀
11. What is the most ridiculous cocktail request you’ve had?
“Make me a cocktail that tastes like a celebration!”
12. As a MADE WITH LOVE Ambassador, what is your biggest challenge this year?
Getting the student body involved. Halifax is a student-centered city, and the undergraduates haven’t really embraced MWL in previous years because there is so much to do in the city during September! We aim to get many undergraduates to experience the talent level of our bartenders this year!
JEFFREY VAN HORNE
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
1. Where are you from?
I’m from the lakes of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
2. Where do you currently work?
The Clever Barkeep, Halifax’s first luxury cocktail, catering and beverage consulting service.
3. How long have you been bartending?
I have been bartending for 10 years.
4. At what moment in your life did you decide to become a professional bartender?
There wasn’t one particular moment. I have a thirst for knowledge and the more I learned about bartending (cocktails, spirits, wine, beer, and hospitality), the more I realized how much I enjoyed it. This made me more serious about bartending as a career.
5. What is your favourite cocktail? Why?
My favourite is a Martinez. There was an ah-ha moment when I first made it with Dolin Rouge, Maraschino, Bokers Bitters and Old Tom Gin, which were all nearly impossible to find in Halifax at the time. I learned the importance of using the right ingredients when making a cocktail.
6. What is the cocktail you despise most?Why?
Can’t say there is one I despise. I keep an open mind about cocktails. What I love about cocktails is they can all be great when served at the right time and the right place.
7. What is your go-to/favouriteingredient?
Any type of fortified wine or vermouth. Complexity without all the alcohol.
8. Which alcohol do you take asa shot?
Whatever you are shooting!
9. What is your favourite cocktail bar in the city? Why?
The front bar at Lot Six with Shane Beehan. Best experience in the city to watch a human spin tales and cocktails.
10. Do you have a funny bar story to tell us?
What happens at the bar stays at the bar.
11. What is the most ridiculous cocktail request you’ve had?
Louis XIII Sazerac!!
12. As a MADE WITH LOVE Ambassador, what is your biggest challenge this year?
This year, the biggest challenge will be choosing the bartenders at the qualifiers that will compete at the finals. Halifax is bursting with young talented bartenders that all want a chance to be apart of the biggest cocktail competition in Halifax. I hope everyone is ready!
