This week I did not go to yet another bar. On paper, Drink In Academy Mallorca is “a hub of creativity and learning, from Natural Wine to Craft Cocktails”. This passionate team of professionals are “sharing their knowledge through public tastings, private events as well as professional courses”.
In reality, it felt as if I was in some super funky laboratory with endless rows of drinks and jar upon jar of weird and wonderful ingredients. This elongated space in an unassuming street close to El Corte Ingles has been divided into three distinct areas: the bar, the cocktail kitchen, and the class, kind of like “a bar that has broken down”. The décor is carefully coordinated and beautifully put together, with light wood and metal fixtures, vibrant blue worktops and bar stools with comfortable white seats. Jill and Calum, and American and a Londoner, are probably amongst the friendliest people I have met in Mallorca. Yet, when it comes to their areas of expertise (natural wines and craft cocktails respectively), they turn serious and you can tell that they live and breathe their passion.
Mallorveto, a cocktail inspired by Olivetto, created by Pip Hanson in Minneapolis.
Calum prepared the carefully measured ingredients, explained in detail what he was using and why, and looked ever so slightly nervous waiting to see whether I would like it. He was making Mallorveto, a cocktail inspired by Olivetto, created by Pip Hanson in Minneapolis some years ago and passed on to Calum by Jill. Mallorveto was made with fresh local ingredients: Maior gin, Licor 43, lemon juice, egg white, and black lime infused local olive oil. I felt sceptical for a moment about the egg white and olive oil, but what came out was genius! It tasted citrusy, yet creamy, and ever so slightly sharp. It reminded Calum of lemon posset dessert. The guys then decided to add precisely “five drops of saline solution”, to add to the depth of the drink. It tasted even better! Maiorveto was served in a simple teardrop shaped coupe glass, without any decoration. The drink was the true star of the show! I loved it and wished I had time to try something else by this creative wizard whose book on cocktails you can also buy at the academy.
I walked out of Drink In in awe of these guys’ knowledge and dedication. I really hope they open a bar where the public can get infected with their passion and appreciate their creativity! Now, I’m looking forward to tasting some Mallorcan natural wines with Jill as soon as possible... Till next time – cheers!
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