Chapter 141: The Master Bartender

Can This Be Drunk?

If he didn't stick the bottle in the end, adding an egg would turn this into a noodle soup!

"Boss! Give it a try!"

The bartender's face showed a mix of eagerness for Chen Jianhai to taste his new creation and fear that it might taste bad and fail.

Chen Jianhai pondered for a moment: "Shouldn't you add some oyster sauce to this?"

The bartender was taken aback: "Oyster sauce? The video didn't mention oyster sauce."

Saying that, the bartender picked up his phone and carefully checked the video's ingredients again, "It doesn't say to add oyster sauce here. Soy sauce will do."

Seeing the bartender's naive expression, Chen Jianhai was speechless. He snatched the phone from the bartender's hand.

"Which influencer's video is this?!"

"I've seen people garnish drinks with lemon or cherry, but this is the first time I've seen someone use celery."

"Won't drinking this give you diarrhea?!"

As he spoke, Chen Jianhai watched the video. In the video, a middle-aged man in well-dressed attire stood behind the bar, elegantly mixing a cocktail. The ingredients in the video matched exactly what the bartender used. Perhaps it was the different temperament or the elegant and smooth technique, but the person in the video didn't look like he was cooking. Instead, he exuded a mysterious sense of skill.

Below the video, there was a description:

"Homemade Tomato Mary: A cocktail that is sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, sweet, and salty all in one."

"Stimulating and appetite-boosting."

Seeing the words "appetite-boosting," Chen Jianhai almost burst out laughing. Was this a cocktail influencer or a food influencer?!

Just as Chen Jianhai was about to educate his employee on selecting better videos to learn from, suddenly, the bartender naively looked up, surprised at the doorway.

"Who did you see?"

Following the bartender's gaze, Chen Jianhai was also stunned.

A middle-aged man in a black shirt walked into the bar, glancing around to see only Chen Jianhai and the bartender. He asked tentatively, "Hello, is this place open?"

The bartender stared at the middle-aged man in shock, quickly taking the phone from Chen Jianhai's hand and comparing it carefully.

"Are you... Bin Ge?"

The middle-aged man paused, then his eyes lit up with joy, "I'm Lu Bin. Do you know me?"

"Bin Ge, I'm your fan!"

The bartender almost jumped with excitement. He leaped over the bar in two strides to stand in front of Lu Bin.

"Bin Ge, I really, really enjoy watching you mix drinks. I've watched every one of your videos."

"I've learned from every single one!"

"Bin Ge, aren't you in the Northeast? How come you're here?!"

The bartender rambled incoherently, his excitement leaving him at a loss for words. He turned helplessly to Chen Jianhai, hoping his boss would say something supportive.

But what came out was: "Our boss also really likes you!"

Chen Jianhai: ???

Why would I like a guy who makes sauces?!

Chen Jianhai felt uncomfortable but didn't want to dampen his employee's excitement at meeting his idol. He forced a smile and nodded, adding, "He really likes you."

"This is his attempt at making the homemade Tomato Mary from your video, Bin Ge. Please try it!"

Chen Jianhai pushed the drink toward Lu Bin with two fingers, signaling him to taste it.

Immediately, the bartender's face turned red with embarrassment, looking at Chen Jianhai with a grudge in his eyes.

Chen Jianhai was helpless. His employees were bold and unreserved with him, never hesitating to test their new ideas on him first. But when faced with outsiders, they became overly cautious, afraid of causing any displeasure.

"Homemade Tomato Mary?"

Lu Bin looked at the large piece of celery in the drink and laughed, "You cut this celery too thick."

Lu Bin walked to the bar, picked up the drink, and took a sip.

Although Lu Bin's expression was subtle, Chen Jianhai could still see the word "disgusting" in the creases around his eyes!

"This drink... you've overdone the soy sauce and chili sauce."

Lu Bin put down the glass with a wry smile.

Hearing this, Chen Jianhai quickly interjected, "Bin Ge, he's just started learning and doesn't know much yet. Since you're here, why not show us a demonstration and teach my employee?"

The bartender's eyes immediately lit up, looking at Chen Jianhai with excitement and gratitude!

What a considerate boss!

"Well... alright then!"

Lu Bin hesitated but then agreed, "I'll give it a try."

"Since there are some small tomatoes here, I'll use these to make another homemade Tomato Mary."

Saying this, Lu Bin rolled up his sleeves, walked behind the bar, and elegantly inserted a toothpick into the small tomatoes. He used a blowtorch to peel them easily before tossing three small tomatoes into a glass.

Following similar steps as the bartender, he added a pinch of salt, two shakes of chili sauce, a bit of black pepper, half a fresh lemon's juice, two shakes of soy sauce, and a bit of tomato juice.

The series of actions were smooth and elegant, mesmerizing Chen Jianhai with their precision and grace!

Watching Lu Bin mix the drink in person, with his professional and elegant demeanor, felt like watching a magician skillfully blending rich ingredients and alcohol, creating a mesmerizing cocktail.

Before Chen Jianhai realized it, Lu Bin had not only finished making the drink but had also tidied up the bar, wiping the ice and water stains clean.

"This professional quality is impressive!"

Chen Jianhai's impression of Lu Bin underwent a complete transformation.

"Here's the drink I made. Please excuse my modest skills."

Lu Bin, assuming Chen Jianhai was the bar owner, humbly and politely offered the drink.

Chen Jianhai picked up the glass, curiously taking a sip.

Hmm~

The taste...

Yuck!