Meet Apes Hill’s New Cocktail Mixologist

As the birthplace of rum, and home to hundreds of fruiting trees, it’s no secret that Barbados as a Caribbean island is famed for its world-class cocktails. But what exactly makes the bar scene in this part of the world so vibrant compared to everywhere else, and what are the secrets to creating such tantalising drinks that everyone comes back for seconds? We’ve delved into the great mind of Rakiel Waithe, our new mixologist at Apes Hill, to reveal all. 

From November 2023 when our Clubhouse opened, guests and members enjoyed a range of cocktails specially crafted by our talented Apes Hill bar team. Within our vibrant community, whether you’re after a light refresher for daytime poolside sipping, a revitalising beverage as part of a golfing cocktail circuit, or it’s more of a dress and cocktails kind of evening, Rakiel and his team are here to supply your every need.

Venture into the world of liquid artistry to meet our master behind the bar whose ability to mix tantalising flavours into the most delicious and innovative concoctions knows no bounds. Officially holding the position of Bartender at Apes Hill, but known to many as a top tier mixologist, Rakiel has trained with Top Shelf Academy and specialises in crafting unique local cocktails and recommending the perfect wine pairings thanks to his certification in WSET Level 1 (Wines). Rakiel is a craftsman with the ability to curate exquisite drinking experiences​​ transforming humble spirits and fresh ingredients into liquid masterpieces. 

Sitting down with Rakiel, he shared his insights and inspirations as he tells the inspiring story of Apes Hill through flavourful libation. 

Apes Hill was the perfect place to hone additional skills due to its focus on sustainability and excellent service, and I saw it as an opportunity to further develop my skills and pursue my passion for creating unique cocktails and creating memorable drinking experiences for guests.

The Classic Mojito certainly stands out! It has a refreshing blend of rum, fresh mint grown right here at Apes Hill, fresh lime, and the final ingredient of soda water perfectly captures the spirit of the Caribbean.

The best rum to use is definitely Mount Gay Rum! It has a rich history as the rum that invented rum, a smooth flavour profile and a local heritage thus making it the ideal choice for creating cocktails that showcase the essence of Barbadian culture.

You can definitely find me at West Bar, QP Bistro or Paul Owens for a weekend beverage.

I absolutely love the ability to craft unique cocktails. From experimenting with different flavour combinations, crafting visually stunning cocktails to seeing the smiles after the first sip of my creations brings me absolute pleasure.

Our mixologist is more than a bartender, he’s an artist, a storyteller and an culinary alchemist whose passion for Barbados, for Apes Hill and for delightful culinary experiences are woven into every sip. Discover more about our culinary delights, and the talented individuals who lead the teams here at Apes Hill Barbados.