Hidetsugu Ueno
Ginza bartender behind Bar High Five, global ambassador of the Japanese hard shake and hand-cut diamond ice.
Veronica's Take
Hidetsugu Ueno, the Ginza legend behind Bar High Five, has redefined cocktail craftsmanship with his obsessive devotion to the Japanese hard shake and hand-cut diamond ice. In his world, ice is not just a component but the heart of the drink—he meticulously carves each cube into a flawless sphere, transforming it into a "diamond" that elevates the cocktail to an art form. Ueno, born in 1971, has spent decades perfecting his technique, and his bar is a pilgrimage site for those seeking the pinnacle of precision in mixology. His influence as a global ambassador of this craft is undeniable, making him a true shokunin of the bar world.
He carves a sphere of ice with a knife until it's a flawless clear diamond, because in his bar the ice is as much the cocktail as the gin.
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Hidetsugu Ueno
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Ginza bartender behind Bar High Five, global ambassador of the Japanese hard shake and hand-cut diamond ice.
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