Two titan bars collided to make 3 cocktails. Bon vivants showed up and the night became an iconic collaboration.
Ever since Mamba Negra entered the 50 Best Discovery Bars the rise to the top has been unstoppable. On my recent trip to Medellín I had the fortune to visit them and not only did they leave me the best impression ever, but everything was beyond my expectations. It is the sexiest place.
I could not wait to write about it in my Medellín Guide read here.
To our fortune, Apotek Speakeasy had been silently working on a collaboration, where two of the brightest were planning on coming to Aruba to make magic for one night only.
Here there were Juan David Zapata and Luis Wladimir Marchán, doing their thing:
The vibes were immaculate.
Beats were a serve by Adrián Croes
The Drinks.
Prado
It's a danger when Tequila drinks are this smooth. The coconut water and coconut fat-washed Don Julio Blanco brought a certain Caribbean feel. On top what you see is a pickled watermelon sphere. Maybe that gave it dirtiness due to the brine that leaked from it into the drink? So was it a Martini?
Coffee Bee Knees
I would assume there was a little of Espresso Romano inspiration behind this one. Sharp and crisp to the taste due to the Gin (fat washed with coconut oil) with a little of a bitter note at the end, very apero. I would say it is the perfect aperitif cocktail to enjoy on a terrace overlooking the Amalfi Coast.
Versailles
When in the Caribbean, Rum. Even though I am not the most avid rum drinker, I can certainly appreciate the skill that takes to balance a rum cocktail. Sweet, herby, delicate, woody, sippable. The dehydrated passion fruit crisp and Sichuan pepper on top was a crown to the glass.
If you are into grown-up hangouts, sippin' on what few can enjoy... you must follow Apotek Speakeasy and go hang out any night, right in the heart of Oranjestad as they say. They are always up to something cool.
Special Thanks to Jason and Grey at Apotek for the special treatment, as always.
Thank you, Derin Küçük for the invite and Marksonn Maduro for the Hospitality.
Original artwork and photography by Enrique Balestrini.
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