The Hilton Molino Stucky Venice just saw the 78th Biennale Venice Film Festival take place in the city over the first 10 days of September. It was a huge success and many film-goers and stars alike chose the Hilton Venice as the ultimate place to stay during the festival. On the quiet island of Guidecca overlooking the shores of the Grand Canal, the hotel has excellent transport links by private shuttle boat to San Marco, Venice's main square. In honour of this year's film festival, the team at Hilton Venice's rooftop bar Skyline prepared a show-stopping selection of cocktails to serve to guests. From the hotel's rooftop, guests should be able to spot one of two of the secret locations where some famous films were shot!
The mixologists at the Skyline bar have kindly shared their two favourite cocktail recipes with us. The first is the James Bond Vesper Martini which coincides perfectly with the release of the new James Bond film ' No Time to Die '. The second: The Big Lebowski White Russian - a soft, smooth and creamy cocktail with a coffee kick, made famous by the Coen Brothers. So let's celebrate cinema or 'chi-ne-ma' as they say in Italy with these classy Aperitivo cocktails and kick back in front a good movie this weekend!
James Bond Vesper Martini
Always shaken and never, ever stirred, at Hilton Molino Stucky Venice guests can enjoy a vodka martini à-la-007. Invented in 1953 by James Bond author Ian Fleming and elevated with the addition of Italian lemons, this martini is straight from Venice with love.
Ingredients
Gin: 45ml
Vodka: 15ml
Lillet Blanc: 7.5ml (White wine french aperitif)
Green olives or twist of lemon peel
Martini Cocktail Glass
Method
MIX
Shake the Gin, Vodka, and Lillet Blanc with ice; then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
GARNISH
Garnish with green olives or lemon peel.
The Big Lebowski’s White Russian
When in doubt, ask yourself what would The Dude do? He’d have a White Russian, of course. This creamy version of the famous vodka and coffee liqueur cocktail was made famous by the Coen Brothers’ The Big Lebowski and is soft and smooth on the palette.
Ingredients
Vodka: 50ml
Coffee Liqueur: 20ml
Cream: 20ml
An old-fashioned glass
Method
MIX
Combine vodka, coffee liqueur, and ice in an old-fashioned glass.
GARNISH
Pour in the cream and enjoy.
SKYLINE BAR
These delicious cocktails were served at Skyline bar on the rooftop of the hotel where guests were invited to enjoy some downtime after a busy day attending the Venice Film Festival. As the sun sets over the renaissance city, the rooftop bar comes alive with warm lights and the buzz of guests gathering to drink in the views. In the summer, dance late into the night with live DJ sets and live Jazz music. Good vibes only.
On a recent press trip to Italy, we visited the Hilton Venice where the team gave us a tour of the Presidential Suite followed by cocktails at Skyline. The suite has the most stunning views of the Grand Canal and Venice but the real gem is the private tower (the second highest tower in Venice no less) to which access is reserved exclusively to guests of the presidential suite. It doesn't get more romantic than that!
Photography: Wen Xiang @chiarrrawen
Styling: Sorcha O’Brien @sorchaob
