Vjenceslav Madić presented 10 new cocktails for every decade of the hotel

10/09/2024

Esplanade 1925. Bar, Esplanade

Vjenceslav Madić presented 10 new cocktails for every decade of the hotel

Honouring the nearly 100th birthday of the Esplanade Hotel, talented cocktail master and Esplanade Bar Manager, F&B service & Cost Controller, Vjenceslav Madić, aka Master Kishoni, has designed a cocktail for each decade, elevating the bar’s level to absolutely premium.

From the first passengers of the Orient Express back in 1925 to today’s guests, whether foreign or local, the Esplanade Hotel has maintained its cosmopolitan atmosphere, high standards of bartending, and unique offer of food and drinks. From the very beginning, the Esplanade has been the site of the capital’s key social events, especially its bar, where even today deals are made, anniversaries are celebrated, and where people simply enjoy excellent cocktails, champagne, coffee, and many other drinks.

After the line of signature cocktails that changed the offer of the Esplanade’s bar, and the introduction of well-received non-alcoholic and LABV cocktails, Vjenceslav Madić – Master Kishoni created a new enticing bar offer.

“As the Esplanade Hotel celebrates its 100th birthday next year, in honour of its tradition and heritage I have created a new line of cocktails, one for each decade. What really sets these cocktails apart are the premium ingredients you’ll only find here. With this, we raised the offer of the bar to an even higher level, placing it in the ICONIC category. The availability of top ingredients combined with modern techniques creates unique combinations of flavours, the same as those a few decades ago, which you can enjoy today,” Madić emphasised.

Madić singled out three cocktails as “Esplanade Highlights”. The first one is Paradise Garden, based on Paradise Hennessy Cognac, the masterpiece of the Hennessy house. According to Madić, the notes of this unique drink permeate the fruity notes of sherry wine and slightly roasted Brazilian coffee, with a dash of cocoa and honey with saffron. Further, the sophistication of the Esplanade Royal cocktail is implied not only in its name, but also in its flavour and manner of serving.

“Its base is XO rum from Peru, French liqueur Green Charteuse and, as a sparkling finish, premium French champagne Dom Perignon from 2013.” Of course, technique is particularly important in making sure the liqueur does not dominate, but is rather simply present, while the cocktail is served in a Riedel Veloce Champagne Wine glass decorated with edible gold leaves,” said Madić.

The third cocktail has a very interesting name, an immediate association to its country of origin. Pedro is a cocktail based on premium tequila aged for 18 months in oak barrels that once contained bourbon whiskey. Among its ingredients, there is also an intensely aromatic mezcal and Cordial Palo Santo. The latter gives it an irresistible balsamic note, characteristic of the age of the ancient Egyptians and the first Hebrew tribes. But why the name Pedro? “Pedro is the most common name in South America, which is why its simplicity and boldness go well with ingredients from Mexico and Brazil,” explained the Esplanade’s cocktail master.

An important part of making cocktails, Madić emphasised, is a good knowledge of the base ingredients and the essence of distillates, production processes, liqueurs, fruits, vegetables, and spices, so that every modern technique yields the best result – a delicious cocktail. That is why the Esplanade’s bartenders, says Master Kishoni, continuously take courses and advance their knowledge. To make the entire experience of enjoying premium cocktails even more special for every guest, their somewhat theatrical presentation is also important. This is achieved with smoke, olfactory effects, and bubbles, thus raising the atmosphere to a new level.

Non-alcoholic offer

When creating the Bar’s offer, Vjenceslav Madić also thought of guests who do not drink alcohol, but would still like to enjoy creative flavours. In addition to last year’s non-alcoholic and LABV cocktails such as Smoked Margarita or Green Bloody Mary, the Esplanade Bar’s new offer includes non-alcoholic gin & tonic and ACALA non-alcoholic sparkling tea.

“Brick Free Gin and Limestone Organic Tonic combined make an excellent aperitif, as well as a refreshing drink on hot, summer days. Besides being alcohol-free, this drink also contains no sugar! ACALA is something completely new in our offer, for all those who love wine, but without the alcoholic component. It is characterised by exceptional aromas and flavours, and we’d like to highlight the ACALA Red Wine Style – Organic, made of blueberries, blackcurrant, aronia, hibiscus, and nettle, and the ACALA Mimosa Style – Organic, made of orange, quince, wormwood, nettle, and other ingredients. We recommend drinking the first with goat cheese, a club sandwich, cheesecake, and blueberry tart, and the latter with dishes with avocado, smoked salmon, or a complete breakfast,” said Madić.

The Esplanade’s Bar Manager has also raised the bar for quality in their selection of spirits, which now includes single malt whiskeys over 30 years old, as well as ultra premium tequila, cognac, and two types of absinthe.

Delicious timeless classics

In addition to cocktails and spirits, the Esplanade Bar constantly offers premium champagnes and sparkling wines by the glass, selected spirits, craft beers, freshly squeezed and cold-pressed juices, as well as fine teas and Illy premium coffee.

For a complete gourmet experience, we suggest you try some savoury and sweet snacks from the kitchen of the Esplanade’s Chef Ana Grgić Tomić. Besides the unique cosmopolitan interior of the bar, they can also be enjoyed on the charming Oleander Terrace. Delicious beef burger with cheddar and chili fries, crispy porcini pie with arugula and shavings of Pag cheese, crispy croquettes of dried tomatoes and smoked shrimp with sweet potato cream, a croissant with smoked salmon, tataki tuna with avocado cream, or timeless classics like Caesar salad, the iconic steak tartare, and a delicious Club Sandwich, guaranteed to be the best in town, are something not to be missed. If you’re with company, we recommend the Sharing Menu, which offers small bites of the enticing classics. Add to that the Esplanade’s oven-crisped štrukli (also available gluten-free), as well as a selection of tempting desserts or just cut fruit – and it doesn’t get any better than that.

A classy tea party

If you wish to experience the true experience of drinking tea. Take a loved one to a concept that will delight you. Slow enjoyment with small, sweet pleasures is a special experience. Choose your favourite type of tea from a selection of about 20 of the finest herbal and fruit Ronnefeldt teas and enjoy a ceremony of aromatic sips. The tea is served in a teapot with a collection of enticing mini sandwiches, and a selection of handmade sweets and the finest chocolate pralines, served on an elegant, tiered stand. Occasional limited-edition afternoon teas like the pink-toned one for Pink Ribbon Month starting soon on October 1 are something not to be missed.

And best of all

The Esplanade Bar is open every day from 8:30 until as late as 02:00 am. Food is served from 12:00pm to 12:30am, while Orient Express Afternoon Tea is available from 12:30pm to 6:30pm. A table can be booked by phone at (01) 4566 633, [email protected], www.esplanade1925.hr. Come to the Esplanade 1925 Bar to experience real refreshment in the heart of Zagreb!

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