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Community Corner

Get to Know a Local Bartender: Andrea Prando

12 Grapes mixologist talks about great wine, what inspires her custom cocktails and why she loves her job

Name: Andrea Prando

Bar: 12 Grapes

Age: Old enough to serve drinks

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Hometown: I was born in Montevideo, Uruguay.

PATCH: How long have you been in the Peekskill/Cortlandt area?

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ANDREA: Eleven years ago my family and I came to live in Peekskill. We liked it so much that we decided to stay in the area.

PATCH: What do you think is the best thing about the city?

ANDREA: The best thing about Peekskill is its inclusive and multicultural community and its music and art scene. It is so diverse that one can go from hunting for antiques to experiencing the most vanguard forms of art, and from enjoying the most traditional tacos and mariachi music to finding fine wines and soul, jazz, blues and rock music.

PATCH: What’s your bar’s most popular drink?

ANDREA: I like to travel a lot and every time I do I bring home some ideas for a new martini. Most popular drinks depend on the season; my last creation was a version of a Sangria Martini in which I combine my love for mixology and my knowledge of wines. I recently created a Mudslide Martini, which includes a small dollop of vanilla ice cream. Some customers feel it’s the perfect way to end a great night.

PATCH: What’s your craziest bar story?

ANDREA: One Saturday night we had a wonderful band that was making everyone happy. In the middle of a song the trombone player left the stage and began playing from table to table, while the band continued to play on stage. The bar was very busy and I was working very fast to make drinks. Suddenly the trombone player came behind the bar and continued playing and swinging his trombone from side to side. I had to duck under his trombone to get out of his way and everyone was laughing at the crazy scene. It was such a fun night.

PATCH: What’s the best thing about your bar/restaurant?

ANDREA: The best thing about 12 Grapes is the ambiance, beyond our great food and drink selection. Every night, clientele, performers and staff create such a warm, harmonious atmosphere that one forgets that it is a job to work here.

PATCH: What is your personal favorite drink?

ANDREA: I love good wines in general but the Malbec from Argentina is my favorite grape.

PATCH: Any advice for customers on getting your attention on a busy night?

ANDREA: I always tell my customers to simply yell, “Andrea,” and they will be taken care of with their favorite drink.

PATCH: In your opinion, what attributes does it take to make a great bartender? 

ANDREA: A great bartender is always positive, knows how to listen to people and remembers that clientele are customers who return because they were treated with care and respect. As in any profession, one must love what one does.

 

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