At Basilico Ristorante Italiano, cocktails are more than drinks–they’re a curated experience of flavor, technique, and visual appeal. Marisa Martino and Rudy Aguas of Bar-Kada Hospitality, the masterminds behind Basilico’s beverage program, craft guest-forward cocktails that range from refreshingly light to robustly boozy. Every cocktail is a testament to meticulous preparation, bold flavors, and innovative techniques. Here’s a glimpse of four standout drinks that capture the artistry behind Basilico’s cocktail program.
Fiore Di Fiamma
As Basilico’s #1 cocktail, the Fiore Di Fiamma is a show-stopping masterpiece. Its vibrant pink hue is a feast for the eyes even before the first sip. This balanced, easy-to-drink cocktail combines vodka, elderflower liqueur, and housemade blueberry honey lavender syrup, with fresh housemade lemonade and lime juice. Topped with a beet-infused dried pineapple resembling a fiery flower, this cocktail’s harmony of sweetness, tanginess, and smoothness makes it an instant favorite.
Luce Spente
A rich and indulgent twist on the classic Old Fashioned, the Luce Spente is a butter-washed whiskey creation that boasts a silky mouthfeel. Crafted through a two-day process, butter is infused with coffee beans, shiitake mushrooms, and cinnamon before merging with whiskey to create this velvety drink. Enhanced with chocolate bitters, corn syrup, and a savory prosciutto garnish, this cocktail delivers complexity and warmth in every sip.
Chiara
The Chiara introduces the elegance of clarified cocktails through an old-school milk punch technique. Earl Grey tea and whole milk are combined and curdled with lemon juice, then filtered for a silky, clarified finish. This process removes bitterness and softens the alcohol, resulting in a crystal-clear drink with a delicate balance of flavors. It’s a cocktail that marries tradition with contemporary finesse.
Giardino
One of Basilico’s signature creations, the Giardino highlights fresh, herbaceous notes with a housemade basil cordial. This drink combines basil, cucumbers, white wine, fennel, and coriander, all meticulously clarified with agar-agar and filtered for purity. The Giardino is refreshing, aromatic, and perfect for anyone seeking a light and refreshing garden-inspired cocktail.
Basilico’s Philosophy: Where Guests Come First
At Basilico, the cocktail program thrives on innovation and guest-forward thinking. Marisa Martino and Rudy Aguas focus on crafting drinks that resonate with the guests’ preferences from light and refreshing to rich and boozy. Every recipe emphasizes preparation, with attention to detail ensuring a seamless and satisfying experience.
Discover the art of modern mixology at Basilico Ristorante Italiano–where every cocktail tells a story and every sip feels like an escape. Explore the full cocktail menu HERE.
