Born and raised in Paris, Marine Blanchard worked in graphic design and marketing before deciding to pack up her belongings and travel the world nine years ago. Whilst in Noosa, Australia, Blanchard was offered a job in a bar and accepted in order to meet new people and make some money to continue funding her adventures. Her travels eventually brought her to Queenstown, New Zealand, seven years ago, where she began her mixology journey.
Aside from working in bars across Australia and New Zealand, Blanchard also spent 18 months in Canada, working in both a Mexican bar that opened her eyes to the endless possibilities of tequila and mezcal and a distillery, where she learnt the ins and outs of the spirit making process.
Now seven years into her mixology journey, Blanchard is no stranger to the fast moving trends of the industry, citing floral flavours such as Hibiscus and Butterfly Pea Flower as the current craze. Though the industry often moves quickly to embrace new flavours and trends, there are certain classics that will always be crowd favourites, Blanchard believes the Margarita will continue to be popular for generations to come.
Blanchard’s favourite cocktail to make is the Aviation, due to its perfect balance of sweet and sour and the resulting flavour profile. She also enjoys telling customers sitting at the bar about the story behind the classic cocktail as she makes it.
When speaking on the New Zealand craft spirit scene, Blanchard mentions The Honest Six Spiced Botanical Rum as a personal favourite, especially during winter. Made with warm spices, citrus and tonka bean, Blanchard believes it to be the perfect winter warmer.
