Cocktails have come a long way since Tom Cruise juggled bottles in a movie. For Central's newest upscale spot, Lotus - on Pottinger Street - they've brought in mixologist Grant Collins (below) to spice up the spirits. 'Cocktails have evolved from the eras of martinis in the 40s and cosmopolitans in the 60s and 80s. We're experimenting with things like grilled and burnt fruit to give multi-layers of flavour,' explains Collins. However, he wants to get one thing straight. He doesn't experiment with drinks using test tubes, the way others in the field are, going from bar to laboratory. 'When you talk about molecular stuff it could be regarded as something of a science, but you have to draw a line. After all, you are only in a cocktail bar'.
