The outdoor Milanese aperitif season is as buzzing as ever. Special events, poolside parties with breathtaking views, are tracing an unprecedented map of the city 20 metres above the ground.
The terraces of the big hotels are the stars of the show. Through these events they find a way to make themselves known also to non-guests and offer an interesting opportunity for citizens to experience the city outside the usual busy rhythms of the street and everyday life and at “high altitude”.
The formats on offer are diverse and are often dictated by the style and philosophy of hospitality of each establishment.
EXCELSIOR HOTEL GALLIA
The
Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a few steps from the Central Station, presents a ritual deeply rooted in English history and culture, namely afternoon tea, in an unusual way by including tea as a cocktail ingredient.
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, only in the summer, follow 'The Ritual | 7PM is the new 5PM' theme, in which the typically English rendezvous is enlivened with a twist that is not necessarily 'alcoholic' and accompanied by a DJ set. The drinks -served in elegant teapots-, conceived by Terrazza Gallia bar manager Andrea Griggion, are designed to be paired with the culinary proposal of resident chefs Antonio and Vincenzo Lebano. The precious white tea is the protagonist of Sold by the Candle and is infused in Lillet Blanc to which they add Plymouth gin, Marjan Simcic Sauvignon Blanc cru selection, Cocchi aperitivo americano.
RADISSON COLLECTION HOTEL SANTA SOFIA
Moving towards Porta Romana, the
Radisson Collection Hotel Santa Sofia has launched a programme of themed parties and special aperitifs throughout June and July.
The first, is Sake Sound Party, which ended on the 28th of June, blending mixology, catering and entertainment in a Japanese style. During each evening, artists specialised in the main Japanese techniques from origami to 'shodō' writing and 'irezumi' tattoos took turns. Bar manager Marco Masiero designed the drink-list, where sought-after bottles of sake were the protagonists of drinks that were particularly in vogue in the last year with a special focus on South America. Kodama Piscu, for example, focuses on the Peruvian spirit - pisco quebranta-, paired with Ketel One vodka, Kodakara dry ginger sake and sunomomo cordial; or a twist on a classic Paloma, where Mexico meets the East with Casamigos Tequila Blanco, Kodakara Yuzu sake, lime, agave nectar and pink grapefruit soda.
The same terrace with its Issei by the Pool bar takes over from 27 June for a second round of poolside aperitif events. In this case a more traditional mixology in partnership with Portofino Dy Gin, where kitchen, cocktails and music are the ingredients of the scheduled events - 4, 8, 11 and 18 July.
I MIRADOR AL 21 HOUSE OF STORIES
Franco Tucci Ponti has been at the helm of I Mirador for two years, a point of reference for Milanese mixology as well as a successful track record with international experiences in London, Paris and Berlin.
Re-opened a few weeks ago - and here we move to the neighbourhood par excellence for cocktail bars, the Navigli - the most evocative terrace of the Milanese summer 2023,
I Mirador at
21 House of Stories, also offers a new drinklist by the pool and a breathtaking 360° view of the city skyline. One of the best-known barmen in Milan, Franco Tucci Ponti, is in charge of the drinks, with a new menu that pays homage to tiki culture but with a Mediterranean twist.
Jungle Tomato, I Mirador's summer best seller: a reinterpretation of a tiki classic, the Jungle Bird, mixed with a Bloody Mary
"With this reopening," Tucci tells us, "we thought of
I Mirador as a bridge between beauty and taste. The new skybar concept is inspired by a Mediterranean tiki. I took care of the new cocktails inspired by this unusual mix that combines the summery and fun freshness typical of tikis with more classic Mediterranean flavours that also characterise the culinary offer.” Fun proposals for fans and neophytes of the genre, but with a signature drink that fully represents the success of this seasonal format: the
Jungle Tomato. It is a reinterpretation of a classic tiki, the
Jungle Bird, mixed with a
Bloody Mary. The drink retains the lightness of the former with rum, pineapple and yuzu while playing with the acidity and freshness of the tomato, the main ingredient of the latter, to celebrate this Milanese summer at 'high altitude'.
Translated into English by Slawka G. Scarso
