From the expert mixologist Joseph Loli, Cellar & Barrel, Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort
Joseph Loli at the bar
Exploring Fiji is an incredibly rewarding experience, from succulent fruits picked on-site to lush islands and exotic flora, it provides endless opportunities for exploration. But once the sun sets, it is our natural rhythm to settle in, reflect and raise a coupe of flavor-bursting cocktails to another day in Paradise.
I had the pleasure of visiting the only adult speakeasy in Fiji, Cellar & Barrel, at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort, Denarau Island, where each crafted cocktail is an art of balance and flavor. Led by expert mixologist Joseph Lilo, the menu blends Fijian ingredients with international influence, drawing on mythology and folklore to create a bold and original menu to impress any cocktail connoisseur.
“We engineered our cocktail menu to be a storytelling tool. The base spirit used for each cocktail features stories, myths, histories and legends of its origin, incorporated into the description to elevate the guest experience. It was designed by our beverage team here at Sheraton, spearheaded by our property mixologist Ms. Gita Rohmatutardiah, with the assistance of Ms. Venessa Jarechi and myself. This took us about 8–9 months to put together. The aim was for our cocktails to be very flavor-forward but balanced, so we took a lot of inspiration from the flavors of Fiji itself, renowned agricultural products and some good old-fashioned Fijian muscle to bind them together.”
“From our list, the two bestsellers are undoubtedly the Tuwai and the Adelita. For the Tuwai, we use Fiji’s own award-winning Ratu Signature 8-Year Blend Rum Liquéur, combined with our house-made passionfruit cordial, ginger syrup, fresh lime juice, and four dashes of Angostura bitters to bind all the flavors together. It’s wonderfully refreshing, bright with citrus and underpinned by deep notes of coffee and chocolate. The Adelita, meanwhile, is built on Casamigos Mezcal, which we marry with agave syrup, a jalapeño and cilantro cordial, fresh lemon juice, and a couple of dashes of orange bitters for aromatics. The spice is beautifully subtle on the first sip, making it an ideal pre-dinner herbaceous and savory cocktail.”
WEDDINGS
“For wedding cocktails, it’s always best to start with something light and refreshing since you’ve got a big reception ahead for both you and your guests. Spritzes are a perfect choice because everyone already knows and loves them, plus they’re incredibly easy to customize with different flavors. All you need is a base spirit, preferably gin or vodka, a citrus element, a fruity or floral syrup, a good sparkling wine, and a splash of soda water finished with a simple garnish, and you’ve got the perfect signature cocktail”.
HOME
“To create a cocktail bar setup at home, you really only need four essentials: a shaker (a two-piece Boston shaker is ideal), a Hawthorne or julep strainer, a fine double strainer (because nobody wants bits floating in their cocktail), and a mixing jar so you can stir up a couple of Old Fashioneds for your dad and granddad. With those basics, you’re all set, and guaranteed to become the go-to host for dinner parties in the neighborhood”.
images courtesy of Cellar & Barrel
by Gigi Bors-Koefoed
