From Dandelyan and the American Bar at The Savoy in London, to Charles H. in Seoul, and now at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Rome native Lorenzo Antinori regularly finds himself working at some of the world’s top addresses. But behind the expertly tailored jackets and perfect pours is a fun-loving person whose love affair with spirits began with a blue Bacardi Breezer on a hot summer day.
To this day, his tastes remain unpretentious. He’s still a fan of effervescence, though he’s traded the occasional Breezer for a nice glass of Blanc de Blancs.
As a toast to his new post at Four Seasons, here’s another round of Lucky Sevens, featuring Lorenzo Antinori.
What’s your desert-island drink?
Champagne and Angostura!
What’s the first drink you bought when you turned 21?
Back in Italy, the legal age is 18. Even though I wasn’t a big drinker or a cocktail enthusiast back then, I think it might have been one of those blue Bacardi Breezers during a summer holiday. I have the feeling as well that was a little before 18.
FMK three cocktails: Negroni, Margarita, Manhattan.
Marry the Manhattan, and cheat on it with a Negroni. Kill the Margarita… too many weird versions of it!
You’re on death row. What’s your final drink?
One of those U.S.-sized, World Cup-shaped gin Martinis, dry, with lots of blue cheese-stuffed olives in it. And a glass of Blanc de Blancs on the side.
You can only drink at one bar for the rest of your life. What is it?
As long as I choose the company, it will be the Harry’s Bar in Paris on a Sunday with their hot dogs and Bloody Marys.
What’s the best and worst bottle on your shelf?
Best: Bodegas Dios Baco NV Imperial Oloroso VORS Sherry.
Worst: Before this whole bartending thing started and I was still a law student, I infused a bottle of Glenfiddich 15 with bay leaves (don’t ask why!) and black cherries. I just forgot about it for a while on the shelf. It tasted like nail polish.
What cocktail will you never order again and why?
Blood and Sand. I shouldn’t have ordered it. Cocktails with orange juice are my nemesis.
