Darkside’s Beverage Manager, Simone Rossi (left),
and Area Director of Bars Asia, Arcadius Rybak (right)
Classics — they exist for a reason. Standing the test of time and never going out of fashion, these iconic creations conjure elation over and over again. And this is something that Darkside bar, located at the Rosewood Hong Kong and
lauded as one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars and The World’s 50 Best Bars in the same year, takes heed of.
Using time-honoured traditions updated with innovative techniques, Darkside’s Beverage Manager, Simone Rossi,
and Area Director of Bars Asia, Arcadius Rybak, craft titillating, esoteric cocktails that reference the mixology greats.
Teaming up with Vecchia Romagna and its exclusive Riserva 18 brandy, the duo have taken their mixology prowess to the next level to produce a quartet of remarkable cocktails that pay tribute to the rare spirit’s complexity and versatility.
Boasting an intense and refined aromatic profile, Riserva 18 is an outstanding blend of spirits aged for a minimum of eighteen years in precious French oak and then finished in barrels used to make the prestigious Italian red wine, Amarone della Valpolicella.
Characterised by a robust structure and roundness, paired with rich and persistent notes of tobacco leaf and spice and underpinned by ethereal hints of dried fruit and bold walnut and fig flavours, Riserva 18 is ideal enjoyed neat or on the rocks, but also lends itself perfectly for use as a luxurious ingredient in the finest cocktails.
Here are a selection of cocktail recipes created by Darkside using Vecchia Romagna:
Vechhio Negroni. Image © Victoria Chan.
VECCHIO NEGRONI
Cocktail
Vecchia Romagna Riserva 18, bitter Italian apéritif, vermouth, Amaro liqueur and Visciolata del Cardinale dessert wine.
INSPIRATION
Inspired by the classic negroni, our take starts from the name “Vecchio” which means old in Italian, same as Vecchia Romagna and similar to the negroni, which is one of the oldest Italian cocktails. A stirred drink, it’s complex with lots of layers of flavours, served in a John Jenkins Kinvarra rocks glass with a block of ice. The correct temperature and dilution are key to making the drink palatable to everyone.
ROMAGNA 75
cocktail
Vecchia Romagna Riserva 18, lemon sherbet, dry curaçao, mint and Champagne.
inspiration
It’s our take on the classic French 75. A shaken drink, it’s refreshing yet complex with an intensity of flavour (sweetness) that comes from the sherbet, fresh notes from the mint and acidity given by the Champagne.
Romagna 75. Image © Victoria Chan.
Wake Me Up. Image © Victoria Chan.
WAKE ME UP
Cocktail
Vecchia Romagna Riserva 18, coffee liqueur, agave and bitters.
INSPIRATION
Our take on the classic old fashioned, served on a silver tray with a dark chocolate praline to pair with the complexity of Vecchia Romagna Riserva 18 and the hint of coffee flavours given by the coffee liqueur.
18 HIGH
cocktail
Vecchia Romagna Riserva 18, verjuice, honey, French-style apéritif and soda water.
inspiration
Our take on the classic highball. It’s acidic yet refreshing and easy to drink for every palate.
18 High. Image © Victoria Chan.