Clyde Ferrer, one of Fat Cat's beloved bartenders, celebrates his victory at the Dewar's Battle of the Highballs. With only ten months of experience in bartending at the time, Clyde had gone up against some of the best in the industry—and won. The competition was intense, but for Clyde, it was never about the pressure. "I just wanted to have fun and let things be. I was competing with seasoned bartenders, and I just respected the craft," he shared.
Clyde’s winning cocktail, "What If?," was a reflection of his curiosity and concern for the future. "What if fifty years from now there are no more watermelons? What if future generations never get to taste the flavors we grew up with?" he wondered. His drink was an ode to sustainability, maximizing the essence of watermelon through seed orgeat, fresh juice, lemon, and balsamic vinegar for a distinct acidity. Dewar’s 12, with its fruit-forward profile, tied everything together. "Dewar’s versatility is perfect for pairing with fruits. I batch-carbonated all the ingredients except the whisky for that extra fizz and refreshing sensation," Clyde explained.
Getting the balance right wasn’t easy. Clarifying the watermelon juice proved to be the biggest challenge. "We were filtering it hours before the competition—it was a make-or-break moment," he recalled. But when the time came, Clyde delivered. Despite the bright lights, the expectant crowd, and the weight of the moment, he leaned into his instincts, performing just as he would during a busy night behind the bar. "I stayed true to myself, and it worked."
His path to bartending wasn’t always clear-cut. Initially a culinary student, Clyde realized his personality was better suited to hospitality while working in room reservations during the pandemic. When he eventually took a bar management class, something clicked. "It was the first time I felt truly passionate about something," he said. Fat Cat, with its dedication to the late Sasha Petraske’s philosophy of classic cocktails, became the perfect training ground for him.
The win at Battle of the Highballs marked a turning point, bringing Clyde well-earned recognition. But he remains grounded. "I’m still a student here at Fat Cat. There’s always more to learn," he said. For Clyde, the real lesson from the competition wasn’t just about technique—it was about the people who supported him along the way. "Friends, mentors, colleagues—they showed up for me. That kind of support is something I want to pass on to the next generation of bartenders."
With his sights set on refining his craft, Clyde is eager for what’s next. "I don’t want to get stuck on this win. I’m excited to learn new techniques, new ideas, and new cultures. There’s so much more to explore." One competition down, countless cocktails to go.