The buzz of excitement emanating from Portie is not just about the amazing transformation of Trident, but also from the Trident Bar where the stylish and talented mixologist Shigefumi Kabashima, aka Shige, of the celebrated Angel's Share in New York, is wowing guests with his original cocktails. Little wonder, really, as a casual perusal of the Trident bar menu speaks to drinks like: Dread Rider — fresh cinnamon-infused rum; Stone's Ginger Wine; fresh ginger, ginger ale and fresh lime; Trident Tea — Earl Grey-infused gin, elder flower, liquor, ginger ale and fresh lemon; Feelin' — citrus/herbs-infused vodka, home-made lychee mix, fresh grapefruit juice and rose water; and Caribbean Punch — Scotch bonnet pepper-infused tequila, mescal, fresh pineapple, passion fruits and fresh lime.

The soft-spoken Kabashima, who has been in the business of mixing and blending for a decade, wants his trainees to exude the passion and excitement that continue to push him to concoct unique beverages. Shige, as he prefers to be called, got into the business out of pure interest and quietly made his mark in a competitive industry. His bar was recently named by the stylish men's magazine GQ as the second-best cocktail bar in America. Shige was also part of a seminar with Kazuo Uydea, the most famous bartender in Japan, in New York. Thursday Life got an exclusive peek at Shige as he prepared Dread Rider.