When it comes to libations and spirits, much ink has been spilled about the rise of mixology and handcrafted cocktails. Long bygone are the days where cocktails were merely mixed drinks–2 parts spirit, 1 part sweet, 1 part sour, (once helmed the golden ratio of drink mixing).
But, does a mixologist have what it takes to elevate cocktails from mere spirit into inspired art? Step inside Punch Room at The Tampa Edition and the answer is—a resounding yes.
Our palates have evolved and mixologists have evolved along with us. No longer do we simply crave just a drink, but our appetites have been whet for more. The modern drinker craves experience, provocation, challenge and stimulation of much else than just the taste buds.
At Punch Room, with floor-to-ceiling blue velvet curtains, dim lighting and bottles filled with chartreuse-green behind the bar, the atmosphere is set for cocktails that are equal parts chemistry, gastronomy, creativity and art.
Velvet tufted chairs provide a comfy reprieve. In a room adorned with vintage punch bowls for admiring and serving punch from, we’re not here to merely drink and dull the senses, we’re here to have our senses roused, to take a journey through the colors as interpreted by our guides, to see the great things about life mirrored in art. We all consume art in myriad ways. Tonight, it just happens to be art we can taste.
The inaugural Punch Room Cocktail Series event journeyed through the five elements. The second, The Theory of Color, featured five cocktails inspired by the interpretation of colors. While the first event was memorable, the second was sublime as the team worked in tandem to tell one story after another through craft cocktail and canapé – each story interconnected with and building upon the last.
“The first time I entered Punch Room, I thought this venue is a perfect place for cocktail pairing experiences,” says Punch Room Director, Tural Hasanov. “Nihat and I sat with the team and did some brainstorming, which resulted in a Punch Room series called ‘The Rare Encounters.’ What excites me the most and what I enjoy the most about the series is the harmony between food and cocktails. We all assist each other with curating our drinks and try to create the best match with the food pairing.”
For the first course, the cocktail called Sari by Nihat Cam was named in the creator’s native Turkish tongue. Meaning “yellow”, the drink was crafted with Hendrick’s Flora Dora, kaffir lime leaves, italicus, lemon syrup, lemon juice and cava. Evocative of summer sunshine and carefree living, it was paired with Chef David Martin Garcia’s canape – Spanish breakfast, made with poached egg yolk, truffle potato roulade, Iberian ham and pimento oil.
Each course built upon the next, layering complexity as the journey progressed. Cocktails that followed were Verdure, Roselle Punch, Ying Yang and Azul. For each, Chef Martin Garcia provided an accompanying canapé.
Highlights included the tantalizing hibiscus and apple-forward Roselle Punch by Juan Rincon, served from the historic punch bowls the eponymous room is named for. Giving guests a taste of the Caribbean, it was served with a refreshing and entirely unique dish aptly titled Coral Reef. The ingredients were uni royal, confit fennel and oyster lemongrass kaffir lime foam.
The fourth course was prepared by renowned mixologist and Director of Arts Club and Punch Room, Tural Hasanov. A feat of creativity, guests got a glimpse into the mind of Hasanov, with a two-part cocktail inspired by the dual colors black and white, interpreted through the dual elements of yin and yang. New and bold, yet echoing the elemental inspiration of the series past, Hasanov’s cocktails boasted the talent that’s earned him his renown.
The dance between the mixologist and the chef was graceful. The cocktail creation from Rene Fitzgerald, Verdure, drew inspiration from the crisp, earthy, fresh green of the land. At the same time, the chef’s marine chlorophyll-inspired phytoplankton paella served with sinfully-soft Carabinero shrimp provided a juxtaposition between the viridescence of the land and sea.
Each creator explored their mind for inspiration and artfully presented their findings through avant-garde techniques and unique presentation.
The finale, Azul, presented by Amber Carregal was a refreshing finish. Inspired by the mixologist’s travels to Spain, this memorable take on a tonic was accompanied by blueberry haze, created with blueberry jelly, berry compote, lemon cake and blueberry espuma.
For attendees that got a chance to experience the series prior, Carregal demonstrated her versatility in mixology – having created perhaps the boldest of the first series, she now presented one that shone in simplicity.
“To be honest, I was nervous when we did the first event because I did not know how our guests would feel about a cocktail pairing, such experiences are rare, and few guests have ever had something like it,” says Hasanov. “However, the feedback we received was incredible which made us extremely happy and then the second event mostly sold even before we even announced it. We are looking forward to changing Tampa’s beverage culture, bringing world-class mixology to the area, and promoting the growing city globally.”
No aspect of the experience was overlooked. Music changed subtly with each course, and mixed media paintings by Tampa visual artist, Joshua T. Pearson were brought in for display and contemplation.
Exploring the internal and external world, texture, and contexture, vulnerability and perception, Pearson hand-selected the paintings for display in light of the entirety of the menu.
With each series connected and growing upon the last, presenting guests with provoking and awe-inspiring and with surprises throughout the night, the next event will undoubtedly be unmatched.
The next iteration of Punch Room’s Cocktail Series will be a journey through all seven continents. On May 30, seating is $225.00 per person.
