Joe Petch is not your everyday bartender. In fact, he could be among the very few who prefers being called a "bartender" and not a "mixologist". The 34-year-old who started off as a student of art and photography, went on to chart a fascinating career as bartender, being the global brand ambassador to iconic brands like Reyka Vodka and currently, Monkey Shoulder. Previously, his clientele has boasted names like BAFTA, Glamour Magazine and Brit Awards. Petch was recently in India to host the grand finale of the Ultimate Bartender Championship, 2018, during which he made a quick stop in Mumbai.

For Petch, the key word has always been "innovation". Two years ago, he created the world's cleanest martini with glacial ice imported from Iceland. The martini had vodka from the volcanic springs of Iceland, Icelandic glacial bitters and a few sprays of Lillet Blanc vermouth. "Clean water is essential to clean tasting spirit" was his reasoning. The UK-born says, "I couldn't take everyone in London to Iceland, so we brought a piece of Iceland to them." Petch's tryst with bartending began in 2004, during his year between secondary school and university.