When it comes to sensation, scents have one of the most amazing powers: They can evoke memories, images, songs, and even specific tastes.
When Italian bar managers Jacopo Rosito and Valentino Longo of Le Sirenuse restaurant in Miami were designing their new cocktail list, they agreed to think outside the box and push boundaries. The architecture of their iconic restaurant and bar, located in the Four Seasons Hotel, was inspired by the famous Le Sirenuse Hotel in Positano, which showcases a breathtaking terrace overlooking the Amalfi Coast. Husband and wife duo Antonio and Carla Sersale designed its interiors, creating one of the most unique boutique hotels in the world. After the two mixologists met the couple in Positano, they decided to begin a tour to collect stories and products – capturing various scents and flavors from the coast. Ultimately, they used the discoveries from their trip to create a cocktail list called Amore Eterno, which means “eternal love.”
On their trip, Rosito and Longo met producers all over the region: farmers of the classic “pomodoro del Piennolo,” an exquisite Italian grape tomato; creators of the Pastifico Gentile, a fine pasta variety made from local grains; and Marisa Cuomo, queen of the “wine of the sea.”
They also shot video footage of their experience. Rosito explains, “For this menu, we wanted to pay homage to those people. They are all masters that are making something special in the Amalfi Coast. We wanted to tell their stories and share their passion with the world. Our main goal was using something that they were producing as a core ingredient or something that inspired us during our visit and interviews with these producers.”
The duo has shared the recipe for one of their cocktails, Le Signorine, with La Cucina Italiana. Le Signorine is a cocktail that can be easily prepared at home; it was inspired by an artist from Praiano that they met during their last trip.
The Recipe: ‘Le Signorine’ Cocktail by Jacopo Rosito and Valentino Longo
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Cocchi Americano
¾ oz Tanqueray
½ oz Tio Pepe (or another high-quality sherry)
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with chipped ice from a block.
To achieve the perfect dilution and presentation, stir and serve in a Nick and Nora glass.
Each spirit adds a uniqueness to the cocktail, changing the flavor profile with every sip.
Garnish with a combination of three different Martini varieties: Green, White and Red.