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by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Go Orange this Valentine’s Day

Go Orange this Valentine’s Day (and Beyond)

by David Klemt

A bottle of SAVOIA Orancio resting on a bed of grapes and pomegranates

There’s a new, exciting aperitivo from the House of SAVOIA, and it’s flavor profile and color are perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day.

In fact, SAVOIA Orancio is ideal for celebrating life on any day. Slowing down to appreciate and enjoy is the purpose, after all, of aperitivos and aperitivo culture.

I had the opportunity to chat with Giuseppe Gallo, founder of CASA-SAVOIA (and ITALICUS), about the new Orancio expression, and more on the Bar Hacks podcast.

The orange hue comes from this aperitivo’s base: natural orange wine. This wine is combined with Italian white wine, and spices that pay tribute to the famed Silk Road. These include cinnamon, ginger, and saffron.

Regular readers of KRG Hospitality articles, and listeners of our Bar Hacks podcast, are aware that I’m a strong proponent of bar programs executing an aperitivo hour in place of a traditional happy hour (if it meshes with the concept, of course).

Aperitivos aren’t simply a drink; they’re an integral element of socializing, and Italian drinking culture. Whereas a happy hour is often perceived by some guests as a window in which to visit a bar for discounted drinks and dishes, an aperitivo hour centers largely around bringing people together.

Whether friends or strangers, the key difference is that rather than focusing on downing many “cheaper” drinks before time runs out, the focus is on slowing down, letting go of the stress of the workday, gathering, and preparing for dinner.

To learn more about SAVOIA Orancio and aperitivo culture, listen to Bar Hacks episode 130 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Cheers!

Orancio Spritz

We can trace the origins of the Spritz to 1800s Veneto, one of the 20 regions that comprises Italy. The Spritz evolved in the 1920s, adding bitters, soda, and ice. In the 1970s, as the story goes, the cocktail evolved again, calling for Prosecco rather than still wine.

  • 2 parts SAVOIA Orancio
  • 2 parts Prosecco
  • 3 Green and red grapes to garnish

Add ice to a wine or balloon glass, then add equal parts SAVOIA Orancio and Prosecco. Garnish with the grapes, and serve.

Orancio & Soda a.k.a. L’Americano

Proof that some of the best, most-refreshing cocktails are the simplest. The Americano is described as the link between Italian aperitivo drinking culture and American cocktail culture.

Fun fact: We’ve all come to understand that James Bond has an affinity for Vodka Martinis (as well as other Martinis). However, the first drink 007 ever orders in the first-ever James Bond novel is an Americano.

  • 2 parts SAVOIA Orancio
  • 2 parts Soda water
  • 3 Green and red grapes to garnish

Fill a highball glass with ice, and then add SAVOIA Orancio and soda water. Garnish with grapes, then serve.

Orancio Negroni

Yes, I’m aware that a traditional Negroni is an equal parts combination of Campari, London dry gin, and sweet vermouth. Trust meand more importantly, trust Giuseppe Gallothat this Negroni version is worthy of the name.

  • 2 parts SAVOIA Orancio
  • 1 part London dry gin
  • 3 Green and red grapes to garnish
  • Garnish alternative: Orange wedge or peel

Add ice cubes (or one large cube or sphere) to an Old Fashioned glass. Then, add SAVOIA Orancio and gin, and stir. Alternatively, add the two liquid ingredients and ice to a mixing glass for a more traditional preparation. Stir, and strain into a prepped Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with grapes, or with an orange peel to more closely resemble a Negroni. Alternatively, set an orange wedge on top for more of a Sbagliato presentation.

Orancio Margarita

Looking to offer your guests something a bit different? The Orancio Margarita is an Italian twist on one of the most-iconic cocktails ever created.

  • 1 part SAVOIA Orancio
  • 1 part Tequila blanco
  • Half-part fresh-squeezed lime juice
  • 1 barspoon Agave nectar
  • Lime wheel to garnish

Prepare a rocks glass by adding ice. (I also suggest experimenting with a salt rim.) Add ice and all liquid ingredients to a shaker, and shake well. Strain into the prepped rocks glass, and garnish with a lime wheel.

Image provided by SAVOIA

Note: Neither the author nor any representative of KRG Hospitality received compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this article.

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by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

The Sixth: Art of ITALICUS Returns

The Sixth: Art of ITALICUS Returns for 2024

by David Klemt

ITALICUS bottle surrounded by citrus fruits

Your bar team members have the opportunity to participate in the sixth-annual Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge and win an invaluable prize.

There are multiple prizes, really. For example, national finals winners take the title of ITALICUS Bar Artist for their country, for 2024. They also walk away with a ticket to the global finals, which take place in Rome.

After the global finals, one winner will earn the title ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year 2024. However, taking nothing away from this title, there’s another prize that I feel should drive every competitor to truly outshine their competition.

The ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year will head to the incredible Cafe La Trova in Miami to participate in a mentorship program. Given that Julio Cabrera is such an influential member of the hospitality world, this prize represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Now, as an operator or leadership team member, you may wonder what this news has to do with you. It’s simple: Encouraging your bartenders to participate in this competition and others like it shows you care about their career progression.

Bar team members who want to take part in competitions get to show off their creativity to a wider audience, become known to brands, and network with peers outside of their local communities. They can also discover and bring back tips, techniques, and lessons to your bar, restaurant, nightclub, or hotel.

In this case, one bartender will return to their bar or restaurant with lessons from the Cafe La Trova team. That’s priceless insight that will benefit their entire team.

For crucial competition details, please read the Art of the ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge press release below.

Good luck to all of the participants!

ART OF ITALICUS APERITIVO CHALLENGE RETURNS FOR 2024 IN PURSUIT OF THE BEST ART-INSPIRED APERITIVO COCKTAIL

New York, NY (January 9, 2024) – Today, The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge returns for its sixth edition, inviting bartenders from around the world to create an original and unique aperitivo cocktail inspired by any form of art and crafted using ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto.

The Winner of the renowned industry challenge will be crowned ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year 2024 and win a trip to Miami for a once in a lifetime mentorship program with Cafe La Trova by Julio Cabrera. Nominated in 2023 as one of the World’s 50 Best Bars, Cafe La Trova is the true embodiment of hospitality, welcoming guests with impeccable warmth, attention to detail and service, crafting a truly memorable experience for anyone who visits. The “cantinero culture,” which is synonymous with the venue, embraces the most important values of the cocktail industry, making it the perfect inspiration for the new Art of Italicus participants. As part of the prize, the 2024 ITALICUS Bar Artist will have the opportunity to experience what makes this bar truly special and discover one of the most vibrant art cultures in Miami’s iconic surroundings.

Reflecting the brand’s passion for Italian art and design, The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge is built on the belief that bartenders are artists and offers them the opportunity to expand their creativity whilst experimenting with new ingredients, techniques and glassware to showcase the versatility of ITALICUS. Each recipe must be in an aperitivo style and can be inspired by any form of art such as sculpture, painting, fashion, music, architecture and much more.

The competition will welcome entrants from 13 countries including Croatia/Slovenia, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Swiss, United Kingdom and the United States. Bartenders from other countries will be able to apply through a Wild Card entry, offering them the opportunity to win a spot at the global final in May in Rome.

Giuseppe Gallo, founder and CEO of ITALICUS, comments:

“Now in its sixth year, The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge celebrates aperitivo culture while encouraging bartenders to express their creativity, looking to art in its various forms as way of inspiration. Meeting with the industry’s emerging talent through this program gives me a great deal of pride and is something I hope continues for many years as a way of keeping our community connected, working together and empowering one another.”

The 2024 Competition

Competitors are tasked with creating an original aperitivo cocktail using a minimum of 40ml (1.5oz in US) of ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto and a maximum of five ingredients. Participating bartenders must upload their unique recipe alongside an image of their creation including measurements, garnishes and glassware recommendations to the competition website before February 20, 2024 in order to be in with a chance of winning. Competitors are also required to share their inspiration and the story behind their aperitivo cocktail and encouraged to suggest food pairings for their recipe.

Applications for The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge 2024 will be open from January 9 through February 20. Recipes can be submitted via the website: https://imbibemagazine.com/art-of-italicus/.

Entrants are also encouraged to share their creations on social media ahead of the competition, using the following hashtags: #ITALICUS #ROSOLIODIBERGAMOTTO #ARTOFITALICUS #AOI24

National Finals

The national finals will take place throughout March and April (March 4 – April 12) where the eight shortlisted bartenders will present their cocktail creation to the judging panel across eight minutes and including at least three serves. The winner of the national final will receive the title of ITALICUS Bar Artist of their country 2024 along with a ticket to participate in the global final which will be held in Rome.

Global Finals

On May 12, the national finalists will compete against one another in Rome in a bid to earn the coveted title of ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year 2024 as well as a once in a lifetime opportunity and mentorship with one of the world’s most influential bars, Cafe La Trova by Julio Cabrera. During the trip to Miami, the winning bartender will be accompanied by a film crew who will document their experience and create a documentary video which will later be released on social media.

For further information on The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge, please visit www.artofitalicus.com.

Image: ITALICUS

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by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Reverse Cocktails for Lower ABV Sips

Reverse Cocktails for Lower ABV Sips

by David Klemt

Straining a cocktail into a rocks glass over ice cubes

A simple and creative way to add low-proof drinks to a menu is to offer reverse cocktails.

As a concept, reverse cocktails are simple to understand. However, they’re also a great way to engage the bar team.

Better still, they offer guests looking to enjoy less-spirited drinks a real cocktail experience.

What’s a Reverse Cocktail?

Essentially, a reverse cocktail is exactly what it sounds like. Let’s use the classic Martini as an example.

Say your classic recipe calls for two ounces of gin, a half-ounce of sweet vermouth, and a dash of orange bitters. To build the Reverse Martini, half the gin, quadruple the sweet vermouth, and keep the bitters the same.

That’s a quick and dirty example. You and your bar team will want to play with your recipes—different vermouths and gins will deliver differing results.

Vermouths, amaros, and low-proof aperitifs are ideal for building reverse cocktails and expanding your cocktail program.

What’s the Point?

Reverse cocktails lower the ABV in comparison to their standard, boozier counterparts.

Michael Toscano, Woodford Reserve brand ambassador and Bar Hacks podcast guest, thinks many people are looking to slow down their alcohol intake. Home bartenders, if reports are accurate, have been pouring spirits generously during the pandemic. When they get out, they may be after lower-proof sips.

A reverse cocktail is a creative solution to enjoying cocktails in a new way with less alcohol.

Of course, they also offer operators a new guest experience. A menu section with the title “Reverse Cocktails” is likely to spark some guest interest and questions. Also, such drinks are a great way to refresh drink menus and move some inventory.

There’s also the fact that reverse cocktails give guests seeking low-ABV sips the full cocktail experience—there’s no risk of alienating them.

Image: Adam Jaime on Unsplash

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