KASPAR FENKART, FOUNDER OF THE COCKTAIL

HOW WE KNOW KASPAR

For several years Kaspar and his wife Jessica were in charge of our favorite Bar in Zürich's Kreis4 – it was inevitable that we got to know them. Learning that he'd been using our Backpack everyday for several years was a wonderful surprise. So when Kaspar started 'The Cocktail' together with Jessica in 2017, his high quality ready-to-drink cocktails had a spot reserved at our QWSTION Stores. On top of our friendship, The Cocktail and QWSTION share a love of detail and the joy of tinkering until something is just right. We were more than happy to offer Kaspar and Jessica a spot at our new studio, where they organise tastings and workshops at the 'Petit Bar.' But the real magic of exploring and creating new cocktails takes place at their lab in Adliswil. This is where their drinks are mixed and bottled, for you to enjoy.

thecocktail.ch
@thecocktialzurich | @ksprfnkrt

I needed a Backpack that could meet all my needs. It's really important to me that I have good access to the inside of the rucksack, which is great with the large zip on this one. I like the feel of the material, it is strong and durable. What I also find innovative is the strap system, thanks to the hooks, once the height of the Backpack is set it stays the same, which helps when you're moving around.

WHAT LED YOU TO WHAT YOU DO TODAY?

I come from a hospitality background, but from the start I had an urge to from the very beginning. At the age of 20, I founded a catering company with a friend, which we gradually expanded. After that, I entered a corporate phase that simply wasn't for me. Immediately afterwards, I took over a small bar near the Langstrasse and successfully ran one of the first speciality coffee shops. Shortly after, I opened a concept store, cocktail bar and another small coffee shop. It has been a wild, exciting and educational time!

The idea for our bottled cocktails came to us during the Central Bar period. We were running a classic cocktail bar near Helvetiaplatz. For parties and gatherings, we loved to pre-mixed cocktails. In 2016 we developed recipes, developed the design, searched for the perfect bottle, and launched the project in early 2017. Today, I'm happy to be able to wrap up my other projects and pass them on. Now I'm having a lot of fun and I'm to our bottled cocktails.

WHAT DO YOU CARE ABOUT IN LIFE

A few years ago, I would probably have said to tackle as many things as possible and realize myself. Today, my focus is more on taking time for details, listening to my instincts and, most importantly, not losing the fun in what I do.

HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THIS IN YOUR WORK?

That is my work. I'm with the old quote of Nicolas Hayek: «I've never worked a minute in my life.» If it feels like « must» most of the time, it's wrong for me.

 

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN THE THINGS YOU BUY?

I realize that the answer here should be: sustainability, good design and local producers. But if I'm completely honest, I always look for a mix. I love to treat myself with something nice that is well made and I know the producers. But I also like stupid tech gadgets. I like things from the thrift store, but I also sometimes buy underpants from H&M. I have furniture from my parents, from Ikea and from designers. For me, consuming things is like life in general - I believe in a balance.