Shake It Up!

Ukrainian bar culture is relatively young but exceptionally dynamic. It emerged in the early 2000s, replacing the commonplace 'Screwdriver' and potent Long Island Ice Tea with classics like the Old Fashioned, Negroni, and Whiskey Sour. The adolescent stage was swiftly overcome, and Ukrainian bartenders are now recognized as trendsetters, shaping the world of alcohol-infused beverage art.

Ukrainian mixologists consistently participate in global competitions, become brand ambassadors, and etch the names of their creations and establishments into cocktail history. The ongoing global trend of home bartending, born during the pandemic, remains relevant. We've invited delegates from all over Ukraine and even Europe to support home mixology, where Ukrainian establishments are gaining acclaim. We asked how, with a few ingredients, recipes, and a bit of skill, one can infuse a cocktail flair into the home ambiance. Here are cozy and aromatic examples. Cheers and comfort to you!

Green Mexican

The World's Famous Cocktail from Ukraine

Photo: Green Mexican by Serhii Kodatskyi, Source: Provided by the author

Author: Serhii Kodatskyi, Ex-President of All-Ukrainian Bartenders Association, Member of International Bartenders Association

Recipe:

• Liqueur Brandbar Pisang 20 ml
• Fresh Lemon/Lime 10 ml
• 100% Agave El Jimador Tequila Blanco 20 ml

Pour the ingredients sequentially using a bar spoon. In home conditions, a tea or coffee spoon can be used. Pour slowly, in a continuous stream, gently lifting the spoon on the surface, following the fill of the pour.

Story:

In the '90s, Serhii worked in a wholesale alcohol company. A long-awaited collection of Bols liqueurs arrived at the warehouse. Everything sold well except Pisang Ambon, a liqueur with a taste reminiscent of green bananas from the Indonesian island of Ambon. One day, with limited options, Serhii and a fellow bartender combined tequila, liqueur, and lemon to create a leafy cocktail. The result, named Green Mexican, quickly gained popularity, turning an unsellable liqueur into a sales leader.

Hot Buttered Rum

Spicy Remedy

Photo: Hot Buttered Rum, Source: Provided by the author

BarmanDictat, Kyiv

Author: Andrii Balazh

Recipe:

• Clotted Cream Butter 10g

• Cinnamon Syrup 200ml

• Apple Juice 100ml

• Light Rum 50ml

• Angostura Aromatic Bitters 10 drops

• Cinnamon Stick

Heat all ingredients to 80 degrees and pour into a cup. For a more herbal taste, add fresh apples, farmer's butter, and extra bitters.

Photo: Andrii Balazh, Source: Provided by the author

Story:

Over the years, our establishment has become a place where people come to improve their physical and mental well-being. Seasonality plays a role, offering refreshing options in summer and, for November, a cocktail for those affected by the last month's weather. Ideal for those feeling under the weather, it warms and literally lifts you to your feet.

Sonata No.7

Twist on Classics

Photo: Sonata №7, Source: Provided by the author

BEEF restaurant, Kyiv

Author: Georg Black

Recipe:

• Wild Turkey Rye 30 ml

• Cointreau 20 ml

• Ruta 15 ml

• Gamondi Rosso 20 ml

• Angostura Bitters 3 ml

• Rosemary

• Smoke

Smoke the glass and set it aside. Mix the cocktail separately, adding all ingredients in the specified order, add ice, and mix. After achieving a consistent color, pour into the smoked glass. Garnish with rosemary.

Story:

Georgii created this cocktail when the desire for something pleasantly bitter arose, and making just another Negroni became uninteresting. Thus, a new cocktail based on bourbon with a delightful bitterness and smokiness in taste emerged. He achieved this taste using Ukrainian bitters with 96 herbs – Ruta, but experimentation with others is encouraged. Ideal for Negroni enthusiasts looking for something more intriguing. By the way, during the cocktail's creation process with a Ukrainian touch, he listened to his favorite band, Nothing but Thieves, earning it the name Sonata No.7. A cocktail sonata with 7 unique ingredients. 

Cold Again 

Don’t get tired of cold

Photo: Cold Again, Source: Provided by the author

People’s Place Bar, Lviv

Author: Antony Svitlak 

Recipe:

• Disaronno Amaretto liquor 40ml 
• Islay Mist 25ml 
• Lime cordial 30ml 
• Water 30ml 
• Lemon peel for garnish 

Add all ingredients in to pitcher, and heat up to 60 degrees, serve in glass that can withstand hot temperatures.

For lime cordial you need: 

• Lime - 1 
• Sugar - 200grm 
• Water - 600ml 
• Citric acid- 24grm 

Peel the lime, add all ingredients to the pan, heat without bringing it to a boil for 20 minutes, and make sure the sugar has dissolved. After it cools down, strain from the peel, now it’s ready to drink.

Photo: Antony Svitlak, Source: Provided by the author 

Story:

Winter is coming soon, Cold Again is the perfect drink that will not let you freeze on cold days. Sweet almond taste combined with smoked whiskey will give you a balanced taste, taking you to warm summer breezes. Mostly it is ordered by people who are tired of getting cold. 

Lemon Pie

From Italian Auntie

Photo: Lemon Pie, Source: Provided by the author

Manifest Bar, Kyiv

Author: Vlad Grygoriev

Recipe:

• Egg Liqueur — 1 shot

• Limoncello — 1 shot

• Half a lemon juice

• 2 tbsp white sugar

• 2-3 ice cubes

Blend all the ingredients thoroughly in a blender. Garnish with a lemon slice and powdered sugar. Perfetto!

Photo: Vlad Grygoriev, Source: Provided by the author

Story:

The city of Sorrento, Italy, known for its lemon-laden streets and bending lemon trees. I remember how my dear aunt from that sunny city used to make an amazing lemon pie. What if we make a cocktail with the flavor of that pie? Easy. The recipe is best written in a handwritten book with lots of clips, strikeouts, and torn sheets of yellowed paper. To make it more authentic.

Vanilla Lemongrass

Tropical punch for non-tropical weather 

Photo: Vanilla Lemongrass, Source: Provided by the author

HVLV Bar, Kyiv

Author: Oleg Pertsev

• Rum Plantation 40 ml

• Milk oolong tea 40 ml

• Lemon juice 15 ml

• Lemongrass syrup Monin 10 ml

• Vanilla syrup 10 ml

Mix all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, serve over ice.

Photo: Oleg Pertsev, Source: Provided by the author

Story:

Why not prepare a balanced tropical punch in non-tropical weather? To add creamy notes, we use milk oolong tea, a common ingredient in old punch recipes. Combined with spicy rum, vanilla syrup, and lemongrass, it creates a gentle, balanced, tropical-spicy cold punch. Our Vanilla Lemongrass is ordered by those who want something sour-sweet based on rum.

Rum Diary

Hunter Thompson Favorite, Probably

Photo: Rum Diary, Source: Provided by the author

Owls, Dnipro

Author: Helga Logush

• Spiced rum 60 ml

• Simple syrup (cognac + sugar 1:1) 20 ml

• Apple juice 120 ml

• Lemon juice 30 ml

• Butter (preferably salted, but regular works too) 25 g

• Ground cinnamon 1 g

• Vanilla – a pinch

• Cinnamon sticks 5 g (for garnish)

• Cookie 20 g (for garnish)

Photo: Helga Logush, Source: Provided by the author

How to make a warming creamy cocktail with autumn-winter vibes at home? Use a saucepan or any thick-bottomed dish, put a piece of butter and some ground cinnamon. Later, add freshly squeezed lemon juice and good-quality apple juice. Then, add some simple syrup (with cane sugar syrup, it will be even tastier, and it's prepared the same way as regular syrup) and spiced rum. Gently mix the mixture, being careful not to boil. It's ready. Remove from heat, pour into a favorite glass through a strainer, savor, and warm up. You can also garnish it with crunchy oat cookies and a cinnamon stick. But for us, it's optional at home.

Story:

Why this cocktail? Because for us, it embodies winter holidays – another viewing of "Harry Potter," holidays where you don't have to rush anywhere, but you always want to warm up. Here we found the perfect combination of flavors and aromas with a creamy texture, so everyone who's a bit tired of classic mulled wine orders it.

Winter Papoila

Warm greetings from Cabo da Roca

Photo: Winter Papoila, Source: Oleksandr Chornyi

Bar Papoila, Lisbon

Author: Roman Shavin

• Bourbon - 50 ml

• Lemon juice - 20 ml

• Turmeric and ginger syrup - 20 ml

• Angostura bitters - 2 drops (optional but tastier)

• Egg white - 20 ml

First, prepare syrup with turmeric and ginger. Peel and cut 50 g of ginger into small pieces. Prepare a saucepan, pour 250 ml of water, 250 g of sugar, peeled ginger, and 4 teaspoons of turmeric powder into it. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved, then reduce the temperature and let it simmer for 20 minutes. After that, remove from heat, let it cool, and strain. Add everything to a shaker and shake well. Serve in a rocks glass over ice. You can garnish it with a thin slice of ginger.

Photo: Roman Shavin, Source: Oleksandr Chornyi

Story:

Papoila recently opened in the Portuguese capital but has already gained a regular and dedicated clientele thanks to its author's cocktail menu. Winter in Lisbon is not cold, but adding warmth with an aromatic drink is a must. Although the presentation of the cocktail is cold, the ingredients are warm.

Oasis Negroni

An Italian cocktail with a British twist

Photo: Oasis Negroni, Source: Provided by the author

Yourz Asia Bar, Odesa

Author: Oleksandr Yourz

Recipe:

• Liqueur Select - 20 ml

• Vermouth Dolin Rouge 40 ml

• Gin Le Gin 30 ml

• Orange zest

Process a glass with ice. Add liqueur, vermouth, and gin to the glass with ice. Stir everything with a bar spoon. Enjoy.

Photo: Oleksandr Yourz, Source: Provided by the author

Story:

Usually ordered by guests who love experimenting with flavors and savor the unmatched combination of bitterness and freshness. Its preparation takes just a few minutes, making it the perfect choice for any evening. At Yourz Asia Bar, we have a special feature – each cocktail is made to the character of a musician or band. In the case of Oasis Negroni, it embodies the character of Liam Gallagher – an Italian cocktail with a British twist.