World Class bartender distills the landscape and essence of Cape Town
Cape Town, the world’s best food city according to Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards 2015/16, now has its own signature cocktail, following a visit by one of the world’s best bartenders, Vítězslav Cirok. This World Class bartender was able to celebrate the destination as well as honour the ultimate urban resort, One&Only Cape Town.
Vítězslav, one of the top six bartenders chosen at the World Class Bartender of the Year Competition in 2015 – out of 20,000 contenders from over 54 countries – made his way back to Cape Town recently to distill the resort and the city’s landscape, aromas and flavours through the art of mixology.
During his discovery of local landmarks, Vítězslav created a cocktail that embraces the style and personality of the local culture that both the city and One&Only Cape Town have become renowned for.
“It was wonderful to be back in Cape Town, a city that truly embodies cosmopolitan creativity, and culinary excellence. My mission was to create a cocktail that brings this amazing city and continent to life,” says Vítězslav, who explored different spices, the eclectic culture and breathtaking sites whilst sourcing sustainable local ingredients to incorporate into his signature serve. “I used Ketel One vodka as a base, and chose to infuse and combine it with ingredients which emanated from the journey I shared with the city and the people I met.”
The acclaimed bartender’s journey began at One&Only Cape Town, an urban oasis in the midst of the bustling city, and also where he met up with acclaimed Chef Reuben Riffel who introduced him to local flavours, including lemon geranium, which the chef used in a delicious sauce for his fish braai (barbecue).
After his tour through the colourful Cape Malay corner of the Bo Kaap, it was while crossing over Rose Street that he decided to add rosewater and also became captivated with the fragrance of fresh ginger and rooibos tea in a local spice shop.
At the top of Table Mountain, Vítězslav was introduced to Cape fynbos, the world’s smallest botanical kingdom – of which rooibos is a member – which lines the mountainous areas with its lush growth and fragrance.
Spending time on the beach at the world famous Camps Bay, Vítězslav was inspired by the beautiful setting of the swaying palm trees lining the white sandy beach, which influenced his decision to incorporate coconut water into his cocktail.
To add the final element, Vítězslav turned to Head Sommelier Luvo Ntezo for an introduction to a local sparkling wine, paying homage to the region’s rich wine culture. The end result is the One&Only Cape Town Cocktail which is light, complex, and slightly spiced with an exotic finish, beautifully presented in a classic wine glass on a piece of grey stone to emphasize the icon of the city – Table Mountain.
Vítězslav’s visit to One&Only Cape Town is the third in the “#DestinationsDistilled” series – a global collaboration between Diageo Reserve World Class and One&Only Resorts, bringing together the worlds of fine drinking experiences with distinctive resort destinations.
The series sees six top World Class bartenders travelling to six distinctive One&Only destinations, creating exclusive cocktails, inspired by their destinations’ different aromas, flavours and local ingredients being produced into 5-minute webisodes and how-to cocktail videos broadcast on YouTube.
Over the next few months, the remaining top six World Class bartenders will travel to One&Only Hayman Island and Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in Australia and One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives to interpret their experiences of the destinations through the art of mixology.
About One&Only Resorts
Created exclusively for the ultra-luxury resort market, One&Only Resorts are conceived as hallmarks of excellence. Set in some of the most beautiful locales in the world, each award-winning resort offers guests a distinctive style and personality borne of its local culture, a genuine hospitality and a lively energy that is unrivalled. These properties include One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives; One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius; One&Only Royal Mirage and One&Only The Palm in Dubai; One&Only Ocean Club in The Bahamas, One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico, One&Only Cape Town in South Africa and One&Only Hayman Island, Great Barrier Reef and Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in The Blue Mountains in Australia. One&Only has also announced plans to develop and operate five new One&Only resorts, in Sanya, Hainan, China; in Montenegro, which will be the first property for the collection in Europe, Bahrain and two new resorts in Mexico. More information on One&Only is available at One and Only Resorts
About Diageo Reserve
Diageo Reserve represents the luxury division of Diageo, a multi-award winning portfolio of fine spirits rich in heritage, craftsmanship and innovation.
The World Class Collection of brands includes: Cîroc Ultra Premium Vodka, Tanqueray No. TEN and Tanqueray London Dry gin, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Platinum and Gold Label Reserve Scotch whiskies, Don Julio Tequila, Ron Zacapa rum, Ketel One vodka, Haig Club single grain whisky, Bulleit bourbon, Talisker, Mortlach and Singleton single malt Scotch Whiskies.
Diageo Reserve promotes responsible drinking.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
About Diageo Reserve World Class™
DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS™ is transforming fine drinking experiences and cocktail culture around the world and in the home. The industry’s largest, most credible investment in the luxury on trade, it discovers the next generation of bartending talent who set the latest mixology trends and bring these to the best bars worldwide.
At the core is an outstanding, global training programme and internationally recognised platform that elevates the craft of the bartender and builds careers in the industry culminating in an annual luxury landmark week where the DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS™ Bartender of the Year is announced. Launched in 2009, over 20,000 bartenders have been inspired and educated in the craft of mixology using the finest spirits in the DIAGEO RESERVE collection.
A partnership and collaboration with gurus, media, partners and owners, DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS™ is widely recognised as a mark of sophistication and distinction of international fine drinking culture by bartenders and customers alike.