Ago Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani have created one of the world's best Martinis at London's famed Connaught Bar. We sat down with the pair to learn the secret to perfection.
Prairie Rose is Food & Wine's senior drinks editor. A trained sommelier, cocktail book author, and wine and spirits educator, in addition to Food & Wine she is also the senior editor of Liquor.com.in 2008, he was given a month to craft the opening menu while the upscale Mayfair district hotel underwent a major renovation. The Connaught Martini was one of the first drinks to go on.
“We a lot of attention on how we interact with our guests,” says Perrone. “We make sure that they feel they're in a space where they feel comfortable.” He adds that there is a duality to how the Connaught Bar team works “which are the technical aspects and the theatrical aspects. It's elegant and curated.”“Every Martini experience takes about five minutes for each guest,” says Perrone.
The Martini, and the tableside ceremony surrounding it, have become emblematic of the Connaught Bar’s approach to service. Bargiani explains that “the bitters are placed on card, smells the card, and then picks the one they like the most,” while bartenders explain background information about each along the way.
The housemade bitters are lower in alcohol than a traditional Angostura and made with more dilution, resulting in a less astringent flavor profile. “It was an evolution of the original bitters that we had on the trolley,” says Perrone. “When we designed Dr. Ago’s bitters, it was maybe 11 years ago. I think we switched from a grapefruit bitter and we wanted something a bit more exotic or unusual in the world of cocktails Now there are many bergamot liqueurs. It was very ahead of time as a flavor, but we wanted to use it because we wanted to have another essence that could be part of the experience.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lainey Wilson to Open Bell Bottoms Up Bar in Former FGL House Bar Space in NashvilleCountry star Lainey Wilson will open Bell Bottoms Up Bar in Nashville, where defunct country duo Florida Georgia Line's FGL House was located.
Read more »
This Manhattan bar strives to be the best bar in the Financial DistrictA Manhattan bar is encouraging the Financial District to lean into the work-by-day, play-by-night experience that it brings to the neighborhood.
Read more »
Stock market today: Global shares are mixed in muted trading after Wall Street barely budgesGlobal shares are mixed in muted trading after U.S. shares finished little changed.
Read more »
Stock market today: Global shares are mixed in muted trading after Wall Street barely budgesGlobal shares are mixed in muted trading after U.S. shares finished little changed.
Read more »
Associate Editor, Nature Briefing - London (Central), London (Greater) (GB) job with Springer Nature LtdAssociate Editor, Nature Briefing Permanent, full time Location: London, UK Closing date: 10th June 2024 Nature, the world’s most authoritative science journal, seeks an experienced editor for our daily newsletter, Nature Briefing.
Read more »
London Calling: Human-powered row sets off from Boston for LondonA crew of four rowers is set to row from Boston to London on Saturday in what is believed to be the first human-powered row directly across the route.
Read more »