Meet Nakuru's top mixologist, winning hearts one drink at a time

Over the past three years, Clinton Odhiambo, popularly known as the "Cocktail Magician", has made a name for himself as a powerhouse when it comes to creating the perfect cocktail.

When you see him mixing different cocktails and coming up with a unique blend that not only tantalises your taste buds but also has a flavour so rich that it leaves you dumbfounded, you can indeed say that the Cocktail Magician is a master of his craft.

If you've ever tasted one of his cocktails, you'll agree that one glass isn't enough.

To be this good, you would think that Clinton must have gone to mixology school and spent a lifetime learning how to make the perfect cocktail, but you would be wrong.

It all started for Clinton when he was a waiter in one of the restaurants in Nakuru town centre. He would always watch with keen interest to understand what the mixologist was doing and through apprenticeship he was able to pick up a few skills here and there.

As fate would have it, one day the main mixologist was unable to make it, so he decided to step up and from what he had seen over time, he managed to make his first cocktail and that was the beginning of it all.

"Every time I got stuck making a drink I would call my friend Mark and ask him how to do it, eventually I came up with a mwakenya where I had written down the different measurements of different drinks and I would refer to it every time but over time I became a natural," Clinton said.

After a while, he decided to get out of his comfort zone and play with different variations of the measurements, and from the positive response he got from customers, it was clear he was doing something right.

"The secret of this expertise is to always listen to the customer, they are the ones who tell you what to make, some like their drinks strong while others like them light and so if you go and make them a standard way and you don't consider the customer's preference then they end up living the drink on the table," he said.

He has three bestselling cocktails, Sex on the Beach, Long Island and Tequila Sunrise.

"As for my customers, most of them love the cocktails that get them tipsy and high to some extent," he says.

"Cocktails are all about presentation, so it's important to use garnishes like cherries, orange slices and mint leaves to make them look good. I cannot say that only women drink cocktails, men do, I have even had male clients who have invited me to their private parties to make cocktails, so I can say that both sexes enjoy cocktails," he said.

According to Clinton, his job requires the utmost discipline, which means it's important for anyone in the business to be a teetotaler, otherwise you won't last in the career. 

"Last year was one of my biggest years because I managed to get a gig and it came from one of my clients who had recommended me to a group of people who were having an event. At this point I can only pray for more success as I progress in this career," he said.