Bar Patrón by Rockpool is the first of its kind in the world, a bar with Patrón Tequila as the exclusive spirit. From the core range to the rare Patrón en Lalique, no other spirit graces the back bar.
So how do you create a cocktail list with just the one spirit? We speak with Ryan Gavin, Rockpool Dining Group National Bar Manager on how the cocktail menu was devised.
“The road to developing an all-tequila cocktail list began with immersion”, Ryan Gavin explains. The team sampled several styles of tequila and travelled to Mexico to experience where it’s produced in order to increase their understanding and appreciation of terroir and other influences like plants and flowers that surround the region.
“With so many different flavour profiles, it was daunting at first to get the range of flavours out of some spirits.” The team employed techniques of infusions to define complexity of flavours. They made syrups, infusions and fat washes which led to developing a list of 30 tequila cocktails, with some taking influence from the surrounding flora and fauna such as bougainvillea and lavender.
Bar Patron’s cocktail menu opened with 12 cocktails with the remaining drinks on rotation. To make it more accessible to guests, the cocktail list is divided into three sections. Mexican Classics focus on citrus and familiarity such as the house Classic Margarita, Paloma, Tommy’s Margarita and a spicy Chipotle Margarita. So Fresh centres on fresh fruit with sweeter flavours such as the Horchata Colada with coconut fat-washed tequila, pineapple and lime. Rich & Smooth leans towards the bitter and boozier style of cocktails such as La Casona Old Fashion, with añejo, amaro and bitters.
Ask for popular cocktails with other spirits and the skilled bartenders can offer a tequila-based alternative. Agua Bendita with silver tequila, jasmine tonic and lemongrass syrup works as a substitute for gin and tonic; Negrita is a take on the Negroni with añejo, coffee and cocoa nib infused Campari and white vermouth; and Black Magic Woman is a take on the Manhattan with añejo Rocca, sweet vermouth, bitters, smoked with applewood. There’s even a Tequila Martini with silver tequila, Cocchi Americano and lavender bitters to please die-hard Martini fans.
Bar Patrón’s other claim to fame is the Millionaire’s Margarita. At$100 AUD, it brings together the theatrics of the bar cart along with premium and rare spirits: Patrón Gran Burdeos Extra Añejo Tequila, Grand Marnier Cuvée du Cent Cinquantenaire and Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac, nitro chilled finger lime pearls, served over an ice sphere ornamented with edible gold leaf. Is it worth the price? “The team wanted the drink to speak of substance and combined expensive and rare products to make a cocktail that tastes great.”
For those more inclined to prefer their spirits neat such as whisky, the bar team can recommend from a wide range of tequila such as an extra añejo aged in sherry cask. “It plays on whisky favours and makes an approachable transition”.
Creating a cocktail list with one spirit and one brand was not without hurdles. “We learned what liquid nitrogen does to crystal ware. The other hurdle was supply. We were selling over 1000 Margaritas a week. The team had to source it from everywhere to the point that Bar Patrón became the only place to buy Patrón tequila.” And that’s a good problem to have.
Bar Patrón by Rockpool
Address: 2 Phillip Street, Sydney, 2000
Telephone: 02 9259 5624
Website: www.barpatron.com.au
Photo by Cocktails & Bars – © Copyright: All rights reserved.
