Iain McPherson is a Scottish mixologist and entrepreneur who has contributed to the evolution of the mixing world with advanced freezing techniques. Founder of iconic bars such as Panda & Sons, he is one of the international benchmarks of contemporary mixology.
Iain McPherson's career began in 2007 as a barback at The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh. From there, his talent and dedication led him in 2013 to the opening of Panda & Sons, a cocktail bar hidden behind an old barbershop, which quickly became a symbol of the Scottish and international mixology scene.
Today McPherson is also the creative mind behind other successful venues such as Hoot The Redeemer and Nauticus Bar, all located in Edinburgh, and all sharing a maniacal attention to detail and a unique atmosphere.
His most important contribution to the cocktail world, however, lies in scientific experimentation. Indeed, Iain has developed freezing techniques that have changed the way drinks are conceived and made:
Switching: a technique that separates water and alcohol through directional freezing, and then replaces the water with another liquid (such as a juice or infusion), without changing the alcohol content. In this way, new flavor profiles can be created-for example, a whiskey that evokes a sherry cask finish.
Sous Pression: inspired by sous-vide, this technique involves the use of pressurized and frozen stainless steel kegs to infuse ingredients with great precision and freshness. The results are intense, stable and surprising cocktails.
In 2024, McPherson was honored with the prestigious Altos Bartenders' Bartender Award by The World's 50 Best Bars, an award given by industry peers to the most influential professionals globally.
Panda & Sons continues to be a landmark in the cocktail scene, ranking 30th on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2024, up nine spots from the previous year. The bar is known for its speakeasy-style atmosphere, innovative cocktail list, and warm welcome.
