Don’t miss out on the ongoing World Gin Day celebrations with this last-minute guide to the best ones. Then find out how you can help raise funds for charity by drinking a Negroni cocktail during Negroni Week.
Inspired gin cocktails by “The Cocktail Godfather” Aki Wang of Taiwan
Gin lovers and cocktail aficionados who want to jumpstart their World Gin Day celebration a few days early should catch the remaining guest shifts of the renowned Aki Wang, named “The Cocktail Godfather” and founder of the No. 3 bar on this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, Indulge Experimental Bistro in Taipei.
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Aki is in Manila to do three guest shifts with Martin Miller’s Gin (distributed locally by Apotheke Craft Spirits Co.) as its Brand Ambassador for Asia. While he just finished his stint at Rambla Salcedo last June 5, there is still time to catch him as he moves to Mistral Rooftop Bar in Raffles Makati Hotel on June 6 from 6:30 to 10 pm. He then ends his Manila stint at The Curator Coffee & Cocktails Bar this Friday, June 7 from 8 pm to 12 midnight.
Aki is preparing at least 4 cocktails to choose from, classified as low ABV, fermented, culinary, and culture inspired. The Graceful Blossom is a sakura (flower) garnished cocktail with a pronounced preserved plum or tsampoy-like taste on its finish made with Martin Miller’s Gin, homemade nectar, sakura incense salt, plum, red grape, egg white, and lemon juice.
Those who prefer cocktails on the sweeter side will enjoy Element Wood No. 2 made with Martin Miller’s Original Gin, Tung Ting oolong tea, longan fruit, osmanthus, lychee, and white grape.
Mistral Rooftop Bar, Raffles Makati, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati City, (02) 795-1840
The Curator Coffee & Cocktails, 134 Legazpi corner C. Palanca Streets, Legaspi Village, Makati City, IG @thecurator_
Unlimited G&T’s at The Gilarmi Lounge, Discovery Primea
The Gilarmi Lounge celebrates World Gin Day this Friday, June 7 from 5 to 9 pm with unlimited G&T’s featuring gins from Apotheke Craft Spirits Co., Don Revy, and Grand Cru. For only P1,000++ per person, guests get to indulge in G&T’s and pass-around cocktails, while listening to live jazz music from Henry Katindig and friends.
The evening highlights 21 of The Gilarmi Lounge’s best-loved gins, including Whitley Neill, JJ Whitley, Chase GB, Martin Miller’s, Del Professore Monsieur, Bottega Bacur, Bitter Truth Pink, Hobart No. 4 and No. 3, Ungava, and Koval Dry.
The Gilarmi Lounge is also introducing new pizza variants to enjoy with the cocktails: Pizza a la Norma with eggplant, mozzarella, and pomodoro; Mezze topped with baba ganoush, grilled prawns, parsley, and EVOO; Prosciutto & Figs made with arugula, sweet onions, smoked Italian ham; and Pulpo Mediterrano with octopus, potatoes, herbs, mozzarella.
Discovery Primea, 6749 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, (02) 955-8888
Drink for a Cause: Negroni Week on June 24 to 30, 2019
Last June 4, Campari Brand Ambassador for Asia Symphony Loo was in town to formally launch Negroni Week to be held in the Philippines for the very first time. Negroni Week 2019 also celebrates the 100-year anniversary of this classic Italian aperitif made with gin, vermouth, Campari, and an orange garnish.
Held at The Peninsula Manila’s Salon de Ning, the “launch” turned out to be more like a call for more participants from the Philippines to join forces with bars and restaurants around the world to celebrate one of the world’s most iconic cocktails while at the same time to raise funds for a charitable cause. Interested establishments simply sign up at www.negroniweek.com, which entails a participation fee of around $25, which is then donated to a charity of one’s choice from a list provided on the website. In return, the participating venue will be added to a Google map that will highlight all the participating establishments worldwide. Venue sign-up is open until June 20, 2019.
Photos by Cyrene de la Rosa
Follow the author on Instagram and Twitter @cyrenedelarosa