The Bartender Who Heals Hearts and Mixes Magic at Notch Modern Kitchen
Carly Busfield • Content Developer
From caring for patients in an open heart unit to working behind the bar, the bartender of Notch Modern Kitchen wows her customers by mixing unique, tasty cocktails.
Aindrea Williams, better known as “Ain”, has been in the bartending industry for about ten years. She began her journey in a dive bar typically pouring beers and shots. Afterward, she moved onto working at a casino bar, where she mastered classic cocktails and hustle.
In October 2023, Ain started a new career in nursing and currently works in a transitional open heart unit. “People think I’m nuts for working both of those jobs but I adore connecting with people in the hospitality industry and creating craft cocktails,” she said. “[I am] forever a bartender at heart”.
Top-NOTCH atmosphere and service
Ain says Notch Modern Kitchen and Bar stands out from any other bar program because of an option on their menu titled as the “Dealer’s Choice”. Listed on their menu are some descriptors to help guide the guests in letting them know what style of cocktail they would prefer.
“I personally favor chatting with the guest to pick up on their vibe and build from that energy. It never fails,” said Ain. Notch crafts all of its own syrups, purées, and infusions; these unique and exceptional flavors are the result of intensive preparatory work done behind the scenes.
“Aside from having some of the best cocktails in the Lehigh Valley, we have the best regulars,” expressed Ain. Her heart just explodes thinking about all the connections and friendships made with the people at Notch.
She emphasizes some of her greatest laughs have been behind the bar.
Ain’s Go-To Drinks
The decade-long experienced bartender says her favorite type of cocktail to build is any variation of an old fashioned. “[You] can’t go wrong with a perfectly balanced old fashioned. If the guest is really feeling wild, I’ll even smoke the glass,” said Ain.
She recommended the old fashioned because it is mildly sweet, bitter and smooth. There are a multitude of combinations to add a delicious spin on the cocktail.
An easy go-to for her to drink is a gin and tonic, a refreshing and light classic. She says it is perfect for the spring and summer seasons. “My mouth is watering just thinking about one,” she recalled.
Crisp and botanical, gin and tonics provide a delightful experience. Plus, this classic cocktail's adaptability makes it possible to add small but substantial touches, like adding different fruits that have been sitting in your refrigerator.
Notch Cocktail Guide:
Gin Cocktail
1 ½ oz Gin
½ oz Elderflower Liqueur
½ oz Lemon Juice
¾ Plum Syrup
Top with Prosecco
Plum Syrup
Combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of white sugar in a pot. Cut up 1-2 plums and add to mixture. Bring all ingredients to a boil. Once at a boil, turn the stove down to low and simmer. Strain and dispose of plums. Allow to cool before using in cocktail.
Cocktail Build
Combine gin, elderflower liq, lemon and plum syrup into a shaker. Shake with ice. Strain into a champagne or martini glass. Top with prosecco. Garnish with lemon peel.
Bourbon Cocktail
2 oz Bourbon
½ oz Sweet Vermouth
¼ oz Maple Syrup
½ oz Persimmon Syrup
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
Persimmon Syrup
-Combine 1 cup of water, ½ cup of white sugar and ½ cup brown sugar. Cut up 1-2 persimmons. Bring mixture to a boil and then turn down low to simmer. Strain to remove persimmons. Allow syrup to cool before using.
Cocktail Build
-Combine all ingredients into a stirring glass. Add ice and stir until chilled. Strain over multiple ice cubes or try a large cube
Cognac Cocktail
2 ½ oz Cognac
¾ Lemon juice
¾ Apple-Sage Syrup
Top with Ginger Beer
Apple Sage Syrup
-Cut up one apple. In a pot, combine 8-10 sage leaves, apples, 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring all ingredients to a boil. Turn down low to simmer. Always allow it to cool before using in a cocktail.
Cocktail Build
-Add cognac, lemon juice and apple-sage syrup in the shaker. Add ice and shake. Strain mixture into rocks glass. Add ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a sage leaf.
Tequila Cocktail
2 oz Tequila
½ Dry Curacao or Triple Sec
½ Strawberry puree
½ Lavender Syrup
¾ Lime Juice
Strawberry Puree
-Combine fresh or frozen strawberries, sugar(to taste) and water. Blend until smooth. Use a fine strainer to remove seeds from the puree.
Lavender Simple
-Combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, and sprigs of lavender. Bring all ingredients to a boil. Turn down low to simmer. Always allow it to cool before using it in a cocktail.
Cocktail Build
-Combine all ingredients into a shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a martini glass or over rocks.
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