Pride Month - FEATURED MIXOLOGIST ALVIN MANZANO
For PRIDE Month, Silencio is taking a moment to amplify the voices of a few exceptional Mixologists from the LGBTQIA+ community by featuring them and their cocktail creations.
Alvin Manzano lives to broaden his horizons, "I worked for 6 hotels in the last 9 years," he says with a sense of accomplishment in his voice. Born in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, he moved to Singapore for his first hospitality job when he was 18 years old. He worked in a sports bar and restaurant in one of the busiest bars around as a bartender and server while training in Food and Beverage Management. Before long, he moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, for an internship program at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. From there, he crossed the world to land in Australia, where he worked for Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton for more than 2 and a half years. "At some point, I moved to Central Australia… Red soils, lots of kangaroos, and wild animals. It was pretty intense!."
Then he moved back to the States. He is currently working at the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills while managing the bar at Caffe Roma Ristorante Beverly Hills. "What I love about Cafe Roma is that I can be more creative with the drinks menu. Caffe Roma is like my playground. That's where I create my cocktails and experiment.”
“I like Bartending because drinks have a lot of influence and impact on the restaurant's guests' experience. If the food is excellent (and it should be), and you match it with great cocktails or wines plus personalized service with our crew, then you have the full experience! At the same time, alongside the Director of Nightlife, I also manage the Riviera 31 nightclub at Sofitel LA. With the restrictions being lifted, we'll have the first salsa night in a year on the 23rd with a live band playing. Before that, for Pride, we are doing "Pride's Brunch" on Sunday the 20th. It's going to be an outdoor event. We'll have a live performance from DJ Aaron, the very well-known DJ from West Hollywood, who will play from the top deck in our beautiful and fully renovated Le Jardin Restaurant next to Riviera 31. You will be able to enjoy music in multiple spaces from the rooftop to the restaurant.”
Ready to party?
Spicy Roma Paloma
Ingredients
2 oz. Jalapeño infused El Silencio Espadin (insert two to three pieces of Jalapeño overnight)
.75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
.25 oz. Agave Nectar
2 oz. Pink Grapefruit Juice
Top with Aperol
Dried Orange Slice Garnish
Method
In a cocktail shaker combine mezcal, lime juice, agave, and grapefruit juice.
Shake for 15 seconds.
Serve in a tajin-rimmed Double Old-Fashioned Glass and top with Aperol.
Garnish with a dried orange slice.
Enjoy!