#22 Alessandro Palazzi - Dukes Hotel, Martinis, Ian Fleming, 50 Years of Bartending

Alessandro Palazzi is the Head Bartender at Dukes Hotel in London where this episode was filmed. In a career spanning 50 years, he has made possibly more martinis that anyone else alive today at what is perhaps the most famous martini bar in the world. On the episode Alessandro shares his 50 year career in hospitality, the philosophy of Dukes, his tips on how to make a great martini, what it was like making martinis for King Charles, and we delve into the commonly held legend that Ian Fleming (author of the James Bond novels) drank martinis at Dukes.

Notes:

• Gilberto Preti, whose name comes up once or twice, worked at Dukes from 1984 until around 2003.

• George V (cinq) hotel is mentioned a few times - it's a very fancy hotel in Paris

• The Fleming biography that is mentioned is The Life of Ian Fleming by John PearsonTo support this podcast please share, like, and subscribe!

This episode is sponsored by Fever-Tree

03:09 50 Years of Bartending Part 1 - Origin Stories, Lessons, Savoy, George V Paris
11:54 Arriving at Dukes Hotel
15:40 50 Years of Bartending Part 2 - Los Angeles Gangs, Greek Sherry, Ritz Paris, Learning from People
22:57 Ian Fleming and Dukes - Evidence, Stories, Dukes in the 50’s, Life of Ian Fleming
34:07 Dukes Cocktails, Exploring Gin Brands, Freezers
37:29 The Dukes Experience - Regulars, Ritual, Holiness
44:09 Secrets & Inspiration, Margaritas, Bullshot
47:44 The Secrets of the Perfect Martini - Temperature, Dilution, Ingredients, Garnish, Preparation, Price, Consumption
1:01:12 Making Martinis with The King
1:05:25 Self Reflection
1:06:58 No Power in the Bar - Dealing with Issues
1:08:44 Legacy - Dukes Bartenders & Team
1:13:09 Vesper Martini - Creation Story, Gin & Vodka, Fleming, Mythbusting