Meet The Mixologist : Keyatta Mincey-Parker , Atlanta
Keyatta Mincey-Parker brings a diverse background of more than 20 years in the foodservice industry , from hotels to fine dining to dance clubs . Originally from Liberia , Mincey-Parker has partnered with some of the country ’ s most influential spirit brands , chefs , home bartenders and farmers , to bring her message of creating picture-perfect cocktails .
In addition to mixology , Mincey-Parker focuses on A Sip of Paradise , her 501c3 nonprofit bartender community garden based in Atlanta . She also has a foundation called The Jim Project , which focuses on training young women in Liberia in hospitality and bar culture as an alternative to prostitution and other unhealthy ways to make a living . We caught up with her to discuss bartending , her passion projects and what she ’ d mix up for Vice President Kamala Harris .
| MEET THE MIXOLOGIST |
What was your first bartending or hospitality job ? My first job was as a hostess at a restaurant in the Atlanta area called PoFolks in 1994 , right after my 16th birthday . I quickly climbed the ladder to server and management , but my first bartending job was in October 2002 after my daughter was born .
One of your passion projects is the Sip of Paradise community garden in Atlanta . When and why did you create it ? A Sip of Paradise Garden was an idea birthed when I competed in
PISTIL & PROPER
2 oz . Bombay Sapphire gin ¾ oz . VP Syrup ( sugar syrup infused with saffron flowers , star anise , tamarind , pink peppercorns and dried hibiscus ) ½ oz . Fresh lemon juice ½ oz . Fresh sweet lime juice 1 oz . Fresh pineapple juice 5 drops of Jamaican # 1 bitters
Bombay Sapphire ’ s Most Imaginative Bartender competition ; it was part of the Canvas Challenge and my creative outlet outside of bartending . I formally started the garden in January 2020 . As bartenders , there is nothing just for us . With this garden , I want to provide a safe space and something to sustain us .
Can you tell us about your foundation , The Jim Project ? The Jim Project is something I started to help young ladies back home in Liberia . I was one of the lucky ones in that I was
Combine ingredients and shake hard . Strain into a coup glass and perfumed with a hibiscus and orange blossom tincture and garnished with saffron flowers , dried hibiscus , and pink peppercorns . born to an American mother , so I was able to seek refuge through several wars in Liberia . The most recent one was particularly devastating because it was so long and ruthless . Many girls and women fled with their families to neighboring countries , but the ones left behind were killed or worse .
Even though the war is over , much of the country is still recovering and a lot has been set back . Women are usually the help , cleaning and cooking , and many still prostitute themselves to make ends meet or support their families .
The Jim Project will provide training in three forms : women aged 16 to 20 will be trained in hospitality , women aged 21 to 24 will be trained in bartending and bar culture . And we will secure them employment in a booming hospitality industry .
It ’ s my long-term project , and I know it ’ s going to take a lot , but I am a very , very determined person that loves to be told “ no ” so I can prove people wrong .
What ’ s your current go-to cocktail or beverage ? This past year has been very strange . Early on a lot
of the things I drank and enjoyed were based on what I had at home .
But seeing Kamala Harris become the vice president — a woman , a beautiful and Black woman , a woman with a cultural blend ( I have an American mother and Liberian father ), who isn ’ t afraid to be strong or tough — I feel I can relate to her on many levels .
Kamala inspired me to create a cocktail for her with ingredients from my community garden . The Pistil & Proper is a play off the Prim & Proper . It includes gin , lemon , lime and pineapple juices , and is perfumed with a hibiscus and orange blossom tincture . It ’ s a connection for me to where we grow flowers and take on all the flowers in this cocktail . My secret hope is Kamala drinks gin and loves it . Maybe one day I would be blessed to make it for her , but we can all dream right ?!
But this is for her , and it ’ s a blend of her cultures and things I love , too . The name of the cocktail is a play on words and connects our similarities .
CHEERS @ HOME • SPRING 2021 | 11