Libretti & Libations

Social Media Photo Contest  
Enter to win tickets to Verdi’s Aida!

Utah Opera and Salt Lake Magazine present Libretti & Libations, craft cocktails created by Salt Lake City’s top mixologists inspired by the love, scheming, and luxury in Verdi’s Aida at Capitol Theatre from March 12 – March 20, 2016.

Post a photo of your libation of choice (tag #UtahOperaSips) and you’ll be entered to win a pair of tickets to the weekend performance of Aida. Visit all participating Libretti & Libations restaurants to submit multiple entries before March 16. Salt Lake Magazine will announce winners online.

Step 1: Enjoy a craft cocktail inspired by Aida
Step 2: Post a pic on Twitter or Instagram with #utahoperasips
Step 3: Hit the next hotspot for another Libretti & Libations cocktail

Remember, use #UtahOperaSips on Twitter or Instagram to check in your cocktail & enter the contest!

Participating Bars and Restaurants:

Bar X
155 E 200 S, Salt Lake City
801-355-2287
www.beerbarslc.com

— order The Pierce  

Rye Whiskey
Fernet  Branca
Ginger
Lemon
Sugar
Orange Bitters
Soda Water
Orange Twist

Mixologist: Seth Berteaux 
Inspiration: It sounded like a “Piercing” tale. 

Bistro 222
222 S Main St., Salt Lake City
801-456-0347
www.bistro-222.com

— order Egyptian Goddess

1 1/2 oz. Vida Blanco Tequila
1/2 oz. Pama Liquor
1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
1 1/2 oz. Sweet and Sour

— order Forbidden Love 

1 1/2 oz. Vida Reposado Tequila
1/2 oz. St. Germain
4oz. Lemonade
1/2 oz. Red Wine, Float on top.

Mixologist: Andrew Cross

Bodega
331 S Main St, Salt Lake City
801-532-4042
www.bodega331.com

— order The Patria Mia

1/2 oz hibiscus infused simple syrup
1/2 oz lime juice
3/4 oz Aperol
1 oz reposado tequila
Topped with prosecco

Mixologist: Adam Albro

Inspiration: Patria Mia combines influences from Aida’s characters as well as its creator, Giuseppe Verdi.The cocktail combines hibiscus syrup, a traditional drink ingredient of Egypt, with Italian Aperol and Prosecco. This spring creation highlights a taste that is as deep and bittersweet as the love between Aida and Radamès.

BTG Wine Bar/Café Molise
63 W 100 S. Salt Lake City
801-359-2814
www.btgwinebar.com

— order Pharaoh’s Ransom

1 oz Ransom Old Tom Gin
1/4 oz Green Chartreuse
1/4 oz St. Germain
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/4 oz simple syrup
1 dash lavender bitters
1 pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Shake, strain, and serve “up”. Garnish with a cocktail cherry

Mixologist: Clif Reagle and Jesse Garrett

Inspiration: Our cocktail is inspired by Radamès pleading with the Pharaoh to release the Ethiopian captives including his love, Aida, after leading the Egyptian armies to victory. Ironically, Radamès is imprisoned himself at the will of the Pharaoh’s high priest after being seen with Aida and the Ethiopians. With imprisonment being such an important theme in “Aida”, a cocktail featuring “Ransom”‘s old tom gin seemed quite appropriate.

East Liberty Tap House
850 E 900 S, Salt Lake City
801-441-2845
www.eastlibertytaphouse.com

— order Cascaida

1.5 oz dickel rye whiskey
.5 oz steeped cascara
.5 oz luxardo cherry liquor
.5 oz fresh lemon juice

Mixologist: Jameel Gaskins

Inspiration: The cocktail was inspired by both the name “Aida” and the region- As Cairo was the first coffee capital of the world, it is a fitting use for cascara. Cascara is the small, usually discarded bean of the coffee. The use of cascara also shows a torment in its expression – the life from which coffee comes however its expression is truly different in providing smokey, cherry flavors rather than coffee.

Finca
327 W 200 S, Salt Lake City 
801-487-0699
www.fincaslc.com

— order Flowers for Aida

1 1/2 oz Ransom Old Tom Gin
1/2 oz Lillet Blanc
1/2 oz Lemongrass Syrup
Orange Bitters
Hibiscus Ice Cubes
Orange Twist and Edible flower for garnish.

Mixologist: Natalie Hamilton

Inspiration: While Aida is a tragedy of love and conflicts of war and family, I always like to focus on the reason most of these operas are written and a recurring theme of love and choosing love over death and life. While the love between Aida and Adames is a secret as is Aida’s true identity, in the end, both Aida and Adames hold true to their love for one another even when Adames has the chance to denounce his love and save his own life. Aida is also given the option to try and escape with her father and return to her own country. In the end, both Adames finds Aida in the tomb they have sealed him in to end his life.

I have named the cocktail after their hidden love and to further play upon this theme, I have made ice cubes with hibiscus so as the ice melts, this “hidden” ingredient mixes into the cocktail. Hibiscus is one of the most popular drinks and teas in Egypt, especially in areas around the Nile. As homage to the opera’s setting in Egypt, I incorporated.

Handle
136 Heber Ave., Park City
435-602-1155
www.handleparkcity.com

— order Anima Aida

1.5 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
.5 oz. Santa Maria al Monte Amaro
.5 oz. Aperol
.5 oz. Dolin Sweet Vermouth
.5 oz. Lemon Juice
One dash Angostura Bitters
Shaken and strained in chilled coupe.
Garnish with Lemon peel, brandied cherry and grated nutmeg.

Mixologist: Arianne Prina King

Inspiration: This cocktail represents the complexity of one’s “soul,” in its layers of sweet, bitter, acid, and spice.  In honor of Aida, adding Italian digestifs was a perfect union with the sweet heat of the bourbon.

Maxwell’s East Coast Eatery
357 S Main St., Salt Lake City
801-328-0304
www.maxwellsece.com

— order Aida’s Conundrum

An elegant mix of High West Double Rye Whiskey from Park City muddled with fresh orange and cherries finished with bitters and a hint of sweet Egyptian spices. Stirred over ice.

This drink has a wonderful starting flavor with a soft spicy finish.

Mixologist: Darin Bybee

Inspiration: As Aida is troubled with her love for her country and Radames she feels many emotions. The strength she needs to endure this Conundrum is represented in the Double Rye Whiskey. The final love she shares in the dark vault is represented by the soft and elegant finish. This is how she feels as she dies in her true loves arms.

Pallet Bistro
237 S 400 W, Salt Lake City
801-935-4431
www.eatpallet.com

— order Gem of the Nile

1.5 oz Ransom Dry Gin
.75 oz Aperol
.75 oz Lillet Blanc
3 dashes Fee Brothers Lavender Bitters

Mixologist: Bijan Ghiai

Inspiration: Plays on the Jewel of the Nile cocktail. I have always had an affair with using Aperol and Gin. It reminded me of Aida and Radames relationship, how well they truly complement each other. Combined they create a beautiful and unique flavor and more importantly, statement. This bright colored drink represents our Sun and ancient Egypt.

Under Current
270 S 300 E, Salt Lake City, Utah
801-574 2556
www.undercurrentclub.com

— order Egyptian Escape

3/4 Lemon
3/4 Strega Liqueur
3/4 Maraschino Liqueur
3/4 Rye
Cardamom Bitters
Grapefruit Twist

Mixologist: Amy Eldredge

Inspiration: The inspiration for this cocktail stems from the escape scene in “Aida” where she and her father Amonasro flee through the secret tunnel. I chose the flavors of this cocktail based on Ethiopian/Egyptian cuisine. Strega is a saffron flavored liqueur, and cardamom is a popular spice used in that region as well. The cocktail is bitter-sweet, much like the love between Aida and Radames.