Vijay Mudaliar knows a thing or two about what makes a fantastic cocktail. He’s the co-founder of multi-award-winning bars Native and Analogue Initiative. At the former, local and regional ingredients, and an in-house fermentation technique guide the process, resulting in unforgettable tipples that pack a punch. The latter takes a futuristic yet sustainable approach, with a fully plant-based menu, interiors decked with recycled materials, and a drinks menu that includes non-alcoholic cocktails. The same sense of unbridled innovation runs through his favourite bars.
Floreria Atlántico, Buenos Aires
A well-hidden antique fridge door leads to this hidden bar behind a nondescript flower shop. With a drinks list inspired by Old World migrants, it’s been around for a decade. The latest pours pay tribute to indigenous and rural communities in Argentina through the use of ingredients cultivated by local farmers. The Gentedeleste, a spin on Pülku cider, should not be missed.
Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
The brainchild of a farmer turned bartender, this charming 17-seater has no menu but plenty of surprises. Farm-distilled absinthe, created from botanicals grown on the farm, is used in cocktails. Many other experimentations are conducted concurrently, including ageing bottles of spirits in a swamp and making herbal liquors with ingredients grown on his farm. As with any good bar, Bar Benfiddich puts its spin on classic cocktails.
Alquímico, Cartagena
Spanning three floors, each with its own identity, Alquímico isn’t your usual bar. The owners have a namesake farm in Colombia’s coffee region, where the bar team harvests produce used in the cocktails, including the pine extract and citrus cordial for the Gimlet. Get your groove on the ground floor with progressive cocktails, then head upstairs for international classic tipples with a local spin. Lastly, there is a rooftop bar with even more special drinks.
Lyaness, London
A bar as unusual as its location, Lyaness is at the iconic Sea Containers London hotel that is reminiscent of a 1920s transatlantic cruise liner. Weird and wonderful flavours are teased out through a menu based on ingredients rather than cocktail styles. The drinks are presented in an Ancestral Cookbook menu, which focuses on five core ingredients each time. Must-tries include the gin-based Lightning Wife and the honey-themed Love Spoon.
