Travel back in time to 1920s Manila with these classy Santa Ana Gin cocktail recipes, each paired with its very own playlist
Picture this: Open plazas surrounded by intricate carruajes and roaring automobiles, and a spacious Escolta lined with tasteful art deco architecture. Grandiose ballrooms come alive as brazen dance hall patrons storm the floor, shaking the walls of the sultry cabaret next door. A time when dressing to the nines was all but expected, and the worries of tomorrow were washed away with each sip, swept aside with every waltz and charleston. Welcome to 1920s Manila, the luxurious golden era that inspires Santa Ana Gin.
The local-inspired liquor is a palatable ode to the romance and grandeur of the glamorous decade married with a distinctively Filipino personality. “Whilst some gins have gone down the route of more of a spiced and herbal profile, Santa Ana Gin has gone the floral and fruity route, and our Philippine botanicals lend themselves perfectly to gin cocktails” shares Aaron Goodall, the experienced bartender who serves as its brand ambassador. Sweet ylang-ylang, pungent alpinia, zingy calamansi, and tart dalandan are proudly showcased with every pour, brilliantly blending with the gin's earthy and herbal background as well as the traditional juniper berry notes that hallmark the liquor.
See also: Santa Ana Gin Pays Homage To A More Romantic Side Of Manila's History
The result? Classy beverages made memorable thanks to some Filipino flair. To further celebrate Manila’s golden era, Goodall has prepared four modernised iconic cocktail recipes imbued with the unique Santa Ana spirit, and paired each tipple with its very own playlist. “When curating each playlist three main areas were considered; the cocktail's history and origin, the ingredients used, and the desired response”, he illuminates. “Each playlist tells a narrative based on its respective drink, with the end-goal still for the listener to have a good time, and ultimately elevate one's cocktail experience.”
By engaging all the senses, you are immersed into “this glamorous world of art deco, jazz, dance, and of course, memorable botanicals”, Goodall intimates. “This is the world of Santa Ana Gin.”
