THE CONNAUGHT

The Best Bar in Europe THE CONNAUGHT

Heads to Australia in February 2020

AGO SHARES HOW HE DEVELOPED THE CONNAUGHT BAR INTO ONE OF THE BEST BARS IN THE WORLD AND CREATED ONE OF THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE MARTINI EXPERIENCES OF THE MODERN-DAY.

THE CONNAUGHT BAR JUST WON WORLD’S BEST EUROPEAN BAR, AND #2 AT WB50, WHAT DID THAT EXACT MOMENT FEEL LIKE?

The world’s 50 Best Bars ceremony is always an incredible moment for the industry. Having all of the world’s top talents coming together to celebrate achievements, innovation and newcomers is a true showcase of how far we’ve come as both bartenders and hosts. This year has been even more special for The Connaught Bar. Not only because of the results of the list but also because these arrived after an outstanding period of work for the team. Throughout 2018 and 2019, we have worked hard to push the boundaries of The Connaught even further whilst staying true to our identity and our dedication to guests. Last year we celebrated our 10th anniversary marking it with a special menu that would wrap up the essence of the venue. In 2019 we continued to experiment with surprising our guests with the menu Vanguard whose name is a testament to our signature blend of classicism and futuristic innovation. Being nominated #1 bar in Europe and #2 in the world after this intense couple of years was a reward which is hard to describe. We were all touched by these results, especially as we saw so many great bars from all over the world featured across the lists. The World’s 50 Best Bars are nominated by a panel of over 500 international industry experts and represents the immense talent and continued evolution of this industry. For me, it is an overwhelming pride and emotion to see The Connaught Bar being constantly on the rise for 11 years. Our team is the key driver of such success, proving that the personalised approach of The Connaught drinking experience and the guest journey are still genuine and invaluable elements in hospitality.

AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT WHAT WAS THE TEAMS REACTION?

They were and still are over the moon. Recognitions like these are true rewards for the entire team and for their ability to work in alignment and harmony towards the same objectives. At The Connaught Bar, the team is almost like a family. We work together in a supportive and coherent way and still allow everyone to contribute to the service and cocktail style with their personal touch and ideas. I am very proud of what we have achieved over the past year and delighted by the work of the team. The world’s 50 Best Bars 2019 have been an award for each and every single professional of The Connaught Bar team.

YOU’RE FAMOUS FOR THE CONNAUGHT MARTINI – DESCRIBE TO THOSE WHO HAVE NO EXPERIENCE OF THIS PHENOMENAL MASTERPIECE WHAT IT IS AND HOW THE CONCEPT CAME ABOUT?

The Connaught Martini is a reflection of our distinctive hospitality approach. When we opened the bar in 2008, we focused on reworking classic and best-selling serves such as Bloody Mary and Martini. For the latter, we drew from the essence of the cocktail, which is to be varied and customisable to people’s taste. We elevated this element by bringing the making of the drink to the table with the Martini trolley to engage guests and let them play an active role in the building the drink. From the choice of the base spirit, gin or vodka, to the explanation of the blend of vermouths that we use for the drink, to the selection among five aromatic bitters to personalise the cocktail and finally the selection of the garnish; guests really have a chance to create a bespoke drink that adapts to their taste or mood. This active participation also allows us to establish a deeper connection with customers and to take them through the narrative of the drink, the story behind the ingredients and, above all, the concept of The Connaught Bar. The theatrical pour that closes the ceremony adds a touch of excitement before guests can savour the Martini as an experience and not just as a cocktail.

Ago Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani

THE NUMBER 11 MARTINI, TELL US ABOUT THIS NEW CONCEPT, THE PROCESS, AND STORY BEHIND THE DRINK.

Number 11 is the most conceptual cocktail of our latest menu, Vanguard. Whilst The Connaught Martini is an icon for us and never changes, it is so versatile that it offers plenty of inspiration. We seized this as an opportunity to create a futuristic version of it and celebrate its status and 11 years of The Connaught. Number 11 sees all of the elements and ingredients available to make a Connaught Martini. It combines them all in a one show-stopping cocktail – gin, vodka, vermouth, wine (to nod to the wine used in the Connaught Bar Gin), Amalfi lemon and all of the five

aromatic bitters (cardamom, tonka, ginseng and bergamot, lavender and coriander seeds) which are individually distilled and blended. When experimenting with creating this serve and finding the perfect flavour balance, we mixed using proportions that replicate the popularity of each ingredient. For example, the gin is more expressed than vodka, and each bitter is not equally present, but the five of them are distilled using different proportions with a rotavapor.

As a nod to the bar’s legendary Martini pour, this cocktail is dispensed, in front of guests, from a machine that replicates the same job with more intense power. This forceful aeration given by the machine allows the flavour of the drink to open up and provide different experiences on the palate. We serve the cocktail with a handcut half diamond rock of ice in a coupette glass. Each coupette glass is hand-painted by the bar team with five colours that represent the five bitters and is inspired by Jackson Pollock’s action painting as well as by his custom to name artworks by numbers. Every team member has the chance to paint the Number 11 glasses, and although everyone uses the same brush and colours, every hand is different. This means that every team member can really express their inner creativity and add their signature to the cocktail, which remains consistent, although diverse.

YOU’RE COMING TO AUSTRALIA NEXT YEAR, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOU ARE EXECUTING HERE WITH THE CONNAUGHT?

The tour in Australia is undoubtedly a highlight of next year’s plans. Spreading The Connaught Bar culture around the world is always a primary focus for us. I am very

COCKTAILS

CONNAUGHT MARTINI

The classic aperitif, served with a unique twist from our famous trolley, tailored to your taste with handmade bitters. Gin, blend of dry vermouths, selection of bitters.

NUMBER 11

An archetype evolved. A new standard set. We nod to the past while looking to the future with The Connaught Martini refined. 11 years in the mix.

Vodka, Connaught Bar Gin, Martini Ambrato, Amalfi lemon oil, Chateau La Coste wine, distillation of five bitters (cardamom, tonka bean, ginseng and bergamot, lavender, coriander seeds). looking forward to revisiting Australia with my right arm and Head Mixologist, Giorgio Bargiani. We will be on a very exciting trip including Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. We will be hosting events for bartenders with Galliano to engage and interact with the local trade community and workshops and also Connaught Martini experiences with Sipsmith Gin in Sydney and at Melbourne Cocktail Festival. This Australian journey will be a true chance to share our experience and get to know local bartending talents and the latest trends of the local cocktail scene, local ingredients and culture. It will also be a brilliant opportunity to amplify our dedication to this industry, get inspired and inspire bartenders and drinkers with lots of events involving trade, consumer and media.