As far as dream jobs go, eating and drinking your way around the world is right up there, so nabbing it was no easy feat; after an audition, interview and surprise final challenge to get through, 29-year-old Carey Watkins, was eventually chosen from hundreds of entries to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. He was a food, drink and travel lover, but had absolutely no bartending experience, so was the perfect person to learn from the best bartenders in the world – even if he’d convinced himself he hadn’t got the job. ‘[When I found out], I was just really overwhelmed,’ says Carey. ‘I’m pretty sure I cried!’ Having recently moved from Melbourne to Los Angeles, Carey’s no stranger to being uprooted, but the enormity of what he was embarking on took some time to sink in. ‘I definitely didn’t comprehend the fact that I was about to travel around the world...’ he says. ‘By no means [did I realise] just how good this job was. The whole thing was incredible, and I got to do things I would never normally do.’ ‘I do love to travel, but more than anything I love to meet people, to talk to people and form relationships,’ he adds. ‘To combine [that with] travelling around the world – and drinking, which is a huge plus – literally is the dream job.’

The mission

Travelling the world is a dream come true, but there’s a job to be done: discover the ultimate drinks experiences.

On his mission, Carey explores each city – steps off the tourist path and sees the area through a local's eyes – guided by our World Class bartenders. Whether foraging for garnishes or enjoying a martini at the best bar in the world, each trip culminates in a drink that represents the city.

‘I was truly blown away by the drinks – everything from the colours to the sensations to the smells to the taste – they were unbelievably good,’ says Carey.

The world’s best bartenders. The ultimate drinks experiences. Join Carey’s adventure, and check out our recipes and bartender city tips below.