BAC IS BORN

Raphaël Betti, one of Natural Drinker’s founders, just opened his first bar, BAC (Bar à Cocktails). It’s an open concept, with one rule : the bar only stocks luxembourgish spirits, liquors, sodas ... Everything outside the bottles comes from nature, as locally sourced as possible. With Luxembourg’s small size and specific history, that in itself is enough of a challenge. And yet, what is BAC’s current best seller ? A Margarita.

Here’s a little interview with the founder of Luxembourg’s new cocktail haven.

Please summarize BAC’s concept and general vibe.

Betti : BAC is a neighbourhood cocktail bar in a neighbourhood country we call Luxembourg. The vibe is cozy, convivial. The drinks are easy to understand, accessible. BAC is not mainstream. Its music, drinks, decor, is niche. 

How did you build your unique backbar ? Isn’t it too much of a limitation ?

Betti : BAC uses only Luxembourgish spirits, beers, wines, cidres and softs. Before opening, we toured around the country, to meet all the small producers and distillers, hunting down the best and also weirdest eaux-de-vies and liqueurs. We were looking for tradition, quality and respect of the land. We chose those we connected with, those people that have the same values and vision of what Luxembourgish drinks culture is and should become in the coming years.

How do you see BAC evolve through time ?

Betti : BAC will adapt to the newest trends, be it no/low alc drinks or advanced techniques, all the while working seasonally and with a low waste approach. The core identity of 100% Luxembourgish spirits will not change. The drinks come and go - no rule - come in, discover the menu, have a (vegan) hot-dog.

Luxembourg is quite a new cocktail scene. How do you see it ? What’s your take on cocktail' culture’s evolution in general ?

Betti : Luxembourg usually is a few years behind, compared to the big cities such as Paris, London, Barcelona, etc. But the cocktail has finally settled in Luxembourg. People start to understand the culture behind it, start to value the work and know-how it requires, and enjoy the experience that goes with it. A cocktail on its own is never complete without its surrounding, the ambience, the music, the lights, the story and the company you are with (which starts with the bartender that serves you). That’s what we bring. Beyond Lux, the general trend is simplicity. People want to understand what’s going on in their glass, with one, maybe two elements of surprise, be it the flavor combination, the name of the drink, its appearance or just the story behind it. But that’s it. Glassware becomes more minimal, decors are simple, garnishes disappear or are reduced to „just“ a dust. The focus is shifted towards the liquid and the company. For the best I think. We went from the speakeasy to the neighbourhood cocktail bar.

What’s your inspiration ? How do you work ?

Betti : Processes inspire me. I am a person that thinks very rationally, logically. Sometimes this hinders the creative / out of the box thinking. Sometimes it doesn’t. New ideas sprout out of the necessity or will to optimize a process or an idea. I create cocktails the same way. I start with how I want a drink to look, what I want to say with it. I then think of what flavors could match this idea and finally which techniques can bring the flavour I look for into the glass. Again, a simple, straightforward approach. Creative efficiency.

Any other projects ?

Betti : Being absolutely overwhelmed with my current project, BAC, it is too early to think of any others. For now, I want Natural Drinkers & Moonshine Kollektiv to keep thriving alongside BAC. A future dream would be to open another cocktail bar somewhere in a major European city, Paris or Amsterdam spring to mind.