A must-visit bar for your next bar hopping adventure! THE ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS 2022 Announced by DISARONNO

DISARONNO

Three Twisted Disaronno Cocktails Debut: A Report from the Front Lines of Asia's Top Bar Competition

With the number of COVID-19 infections finally subsiding, the chance to travel abroad has returned… or so we thought in early spring. As if anticipating this mood, the "Asia's 50 Best Bars Awards 2022" was held as a physical event for the first time in three years at the end of April 2022. This ranking event, which judges bars on their overall appeal, is one of the most talked-about awards today. It is, therefore, a grand stage for the ultimate battle in bar culture, where bartenders and bar owners gather, staking their pride.

Edit & Text by TSUCHIDA Takashi

No Words Needed for Bar Etiquette

The sophisticated bar style we know today was established on the East Coast of America and in London during the 1970s. Bar culture accelerated again during this period, with classic cocktail recipes being twisted (i.e., rearranged) to create new signature recipes, and the emergence of mixology using fresh fruits.

Its influence spread worldwide, leading to the present day. Not only cocktail recipe development, but also bar interiors and exteriors, bartender costumes, gestures, and service content – it's like a theatrical stage. The concept is consistently conveyed to create an "otherworldly space." Yes, a bar is an adult theme park through the culture of alcohol. It requires significant investment of both money and time. Some say that "a country that produces excellent bars shows the national strength and vitality of that country," and indeed, this may be true.

Bar hoppers are those who visit such fascinating bars one after another. There are even people who enjoy bar hopping as a purpose for their overseas travel. Appreciating foreign charm through the filter of a bar. Now, this is fun! And in the countries of Asia, there are many superb bars that would impress even the Anglo-Saxons themselves.

A Must-Visit Bar for Your Next Bar Hopping Adventure! THE ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS 2022 Announced by DISARONNO

An example shown was "BKK SOCIAL CLUB," the venue for the eve of the awards ceremony. This bar, opened in 2020 at the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, evokes Buenos Aires during its era as the "Paris of South America." The colonial-style decor and the open feel of the two-story atrium are comfortable, and the rhythm of tango resonates throughout the body. BKK SOCIAL CLUB https://www.fourseasons.com/bangkok/dining/lounges/bkk-social-club/

The Role of Bars Became Even More Pronounced During the Pandemic

The pandemic deprived bars of opportunities to serve alcohol. During this period, all bars were forced to suspend operations under the guidance of their respective governments.

And people turned to "drinking at home." Simple cocktail recipes that could be recreated at home became popular. It was in this environment that bartenders from various countries stepped up. They generously shared easy-to-make, delicious cocktail recipes via social media. The fact that alcohol sales did not drop significantly even during the pandemic attests to their popularity.

Furthermore, a new movement emerged to enjoy cocktails outdoors. Camping used to primarily involve beer and whiskey. However, the act of creating drinks by adding a little something extra to liqueurs has become extremely popular in recent solo camping trends. Experiencing such recipes firsthand leads to an interest in professional techniques, drawing people back to bars. Yes, the adversity of the pandemic paradoxically highlighted the existence of bars and the skilled bartenders who inhabit them.

The Reason Behind THE ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS Awards

The THE ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS Awards are organized by William Reed Business Media, a UK-based publisher. This is the same publisher famous for its rankings of the restaurant and hotel industries.
*William Reed Business Media is also the company behind "The World's 50 Best Restaurants," whose latest edition was released in late July to much acclaim.

While France's Michelin guide is well-known in this genre, William Reed Business Media places emphasis on bar activities that are more geared towards social media sharing. In addition, location, interior design, and the owner's personality are considered comprehensively to select the top 50. They gather information on "Instagrammable bars." The "THE WORLD’S 50 BEST BARS Awards," which determines the world's top bars, began in 2009. As its Asian counterpart, "THE ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS Awards" started in 2016 (held online from 2019-2021).

This event partners with several alcohol brands. One of them is Disaronno, a liqueur originating from Italy. It is the original amaretto, and is recognized worldwide simply as "Disaronno" when referring to amaretto.

Amaretto is made by infusing neutral distilled alcohol with apricot kernels (called bitter almonds) and vanilla, then adjusting the alcohol content to 28%. It has a rich, fragrant sweetness and is actually used in various cocktails. A famous example is the "Godfather," a potent cocktail made with single malt whiskey and amaretto. Disaronno's sweetness softens the sharp edge of the high-proof whiskey, making it significantly easier to drink than whiskey on its own, despite being a strong cocktail.

Incidentally, "Disaronno" means "from Saronno." The town of Saronno is a small industrial city in the Lombardy region, on the outskirts of Milan. While amaretto has been a homemade liqueur in Italian households, its identity was cultivated in the town of Saronno, which is why "Disaronno" exists today as a synonym for amaretto.

This year, the Disaronno Award, given to the bar that achieved the highest new entry ranking in the Best Bars list, went to "Argo" in Hong Kong. This bar explores new twisted recipes based on local sourcing, using ingredients like tonka beans instead of vanilla beans, emphasizing Asian-born ingredients.
https://www.worlds50bestbars.com/asia/awards/highest-new-entry-award.html

Disaronno also sponsors the "Disaronno Award" at THE ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS Awards. This award is presented to the bar that achieves the highest ranking among those newly entering the Best Bars list. It is, in essence, a "rookie of the year" award. Therefore, it serves as a gateway for new bars to gain global recognition, making it a particularly meaningful award for bartenders and bar owners.

Two years ago, in 2020, the Disaronno Award went to "Bar Benfiddich" in Kyoto, the first Japanese bar to be ranked. Owner-bartender Mr. Yamamoto commented, "This event is a place where we can freely interact with world-class bartenders. At the same time, it's a valuable opportunity to showcase our own presence."

Access to the awards ceremony was by boat! The venue was filled with the energy you see here. The red stoles signify the award-winning bartenders. At the entrance, booths from partner brands were set up, serving new recipes. Next to the Disaronno booth was "Tia Maria," a coffee liqueur from the same company, drawing attention. The three people on the red carpet on the right are the Disaronno team: Ms. Simona Bianco, Global Advocacy Manager (center); Mr. Matteo Scaravelli, Country Manager for Japan and Representative of Disaronno Japan (left); and Mr. Trent Russell, Asia Pacific Regional Director (right). Ms. Simona Bianco also took the stage on behalf of the brand during the ceremony.

The venue was buzzing with the excitement of bartenders and bar owners. For the detailed results of the 2022 rankings, please refer to the original page on William Reed Business Media's website: https://www.worlds50bestbars.com/asia/ . By the way, the following six bars from Japan were ranked.

5th Place: Bar BenFiddich (Tokyo)https://ameblo.jp/kayama0927/
20th Place: Lamp Bar (Nara)https://ja-jp.facebook.com/LAMP-BARランプバー--149989381773580/
21st Place: The SG Club (Tokyo)https://sg-management.jp
25th Place: Bar Trench (Tokyo)https://small-axe.net/bar-trench/
41st Place: memento mori (Tokyo)https://www.toranomonhills.com/gourmet_shops/0028.html
47th Place: Bee’s Knees (Kyoto)https://bees-knees-kyoto.jp

At the venue, three original recipes were also presented by Danilo, Disaronno's Brand Ambassador for the Asia-Pacific region. Originally from Saronno, Italy, and now based in Sydney, Danilo expressed his enthusiasm: "I want to continue developing simple yet high-quality cocktails using Disaronno."

TRIP TO MEXICO

Ingredients: Disaronno, Mezcal, Silver Tequila, Pink Grapefruit Essence, Agave

The dry notes of mezcal and tequila blend with the tartness of pink grapefruit and the elegant sweetness of Disaronno.

FRENCH KISS

Ingredients: Disaronno, Prosecco, Dried Strawberry

A twist on the "Kir Royale" (a cocktail of Champagne with Cassis liqueur). Disaronno's fruity notes complement the Prosecco. The touch of dried strawberry powder adds a surprising kiss!

AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE

Ingredients: Disaronno, 5 Chinese Spices, Rémy Martin Cognac

A twisted recipe based on the "French Connection" (Cognac with Disaronno), with added Chinese spices like star anise. The powerful title, reminiscent of the mafia, is unique, but like the Godfather, Disaronno has a history of underpinning various cocktails with storytelling.

So, let's come to a conclusion. A bar is a place to express "chic," where words are unnecessary. That's probably why the adult pastime of cross-border bar hopping is possible. Moreover, liqueur ingredients, including Disaronno, are universal. The world's bars are competing on how to create something unique using the same ingredients. Competing for originality with the same liqueur… doesn't that sound cool? I'm usually a fan of brewed Japanese sake and wine, but I was reminded anew of how wonderful bar culture is.

From now on, when I visit an unfamiliar place, I plan to explore its bars. And I intend to make toasting with Disaronno a ritual. Seeking the "chic" of the land I've stepped onto for the first time, I'll head to the local bar. Oh, am I being too pretentious? No, I intend to live my life with as much flair as possible.

Mr. Matteo Scaravelli, Representative of Disaronno Japan, who worked diligently to produce this article. He is actively promoting Italy's renowned liqueur in the Japanese market, fluent in Italian, English, and Japanese.