I had the pleasure of meeting Devin Cross in Cape Town, while he was head bartender at Outrage of Modesty, sister bar of Luke Whearty's Operation Dagger in Singapore. He executed the drinks (and dishes) perfectly so I decided to try my luck in inviting him to Milano. A few months later, after much wooing, he finally accepted my proposal to visit 1930 Secret bar in Milano. :)

Devin, now mixologist ambassador for ABV Brands in South Africa (Jim Beam, Booker's, Macallan, Maker's Mark), visited me in Milano last week. I took him to my favorite spots including Sorbillo, Marghe, MaG, Backdoor 43, Pinch and of course 1930. Devin did his guest shift at 1930 the last night he was here, making 4 great cocktails inspired by his South African roots. Two of the drinks contained Caperitif, a vermouth from Cape Town made with 42 botanicals.

My favorite cocktail on the night was the savory Signet (Pear-Infused Maker's Mark Bourbon, Fino Sherry, Tonka Bean Syrup and Orange Bitter) followed by the refreshing Naartjie Switchel (London No 3 gin, Caperitif and Nectarine Shrub Top with soda) and the delicious Childhood Punch (Lemon Juice, White Sugar, Jim Beam Rye Whiskey, Courvoisier VSOP, Absinthe Pontarlier, Cinnamon Stick, Vanilla Pod, Pimento Berries, Coriander, Pineapple, Rooibos Infused Warm Milk).

A special thanks to the team at 1930 (Marco R, Ben, M Love, Andrea, Marco F, Giuliano, Vale) for making this wonderful night happen and to the Corbettas, Toney, Agnese, Vale, Matteo, Muggi, Zoe, Morena and Giovanni and Sergio of Pinch for their support.

Thanks to Toney Teddy Fernandez for the photos.

Afrikano (Sweet Vermouth, Caperitif, Soda)

Devin Cross of Cape Town visits 1930 Milano /November 17, 2016 by shane eaton