On the evening of September 11, as the light fades over Piazza della Signoria, Gucci Giardino opens its doors to celebrate Secret, the sixth issue of Coqtail – for fine drinkers. For two hours, Florence becomes a meeting ground where the culture of the bar world collides with the art of storytelling. The gathering unfolds under the eye of Martina Bonci, Bar Manager of Gucci Giardino, who signs a one-night-only menu of drinks that mirror the magazine’s editorial gaze.
The Hidden Thread of Coqtail – for fine drinkers
This new issue turns on the notion of secrecy—not in the sense of silence, but as a play between the visible and the unseen. From recipes that hide within them the wisdom of centuries, to entrepreneurs who guard the formula of success, Coqtail explores how discretion shapes both cocktails and careers. In these pages, the invisible becomes decisive: a subtle choice of ingredient, a quiet intuition, a decision that never makes the headlines yet defines the future of a project.
A Menu that Reads Like an Editorial
Bonci’s exclusive list for the night moves in the same rhythm as the magazine. It begins with Visconte a Firenze with Campari, Mancino Vermouth Amaranto, Tassoni Gin Superfine al Cedro, saffron liqueur, chocolate bitters, vanilla, and a milk wash of soy, citron and orange. A Negroni reimagined as a tribute to the city that gave birth to Count Negroni’s cocktail, but also to Milan, where Coqtail itself first appeared, and to the Visconti family whose history still lingers there.
Then comes Koda, a sour that feels both playful and reflective, blending Altamura Distilleries Vodka, OF Dorange Bonollo, bergamot, chamomile and lemon. Itaca follows: Amaro Bello, Cedrata Tassoni, lemon-basil cordial. A drink that dares with contrasts, Mediterranean at heart, and evocative of Ulysses’ restless voyage back to Ithaca—a reminder that even homecoming can taste both bright and bitter. To close, What If, a zero-proof mix of melon and rose cordial with Cedrata Tassoni, a non-alcoholic serve that refuses to play supporting role, instead claiming the spotlight with elegance.
Small Bites, Larger Ideas
Alongside the drinks come food bites crafted with Artisia by Barilla’s 3D-printed pasta. These small creations are designed to elevate the tasting journey, weaving together aesthetic research and a deep study of raw ingredients. Each one is conceived to converse with the evening’s cocktails, adding layers of texture and flavor that complete the experience at the bar.
The sequence begins with Wind, a reimagined parmigiana enclosing a filling of eggplant and tomato, finished with a parmesan foam. Cube follows, with braised beef and tomato at its heart, scented with cloves and Mediterranean herbs. Finally, Petal reveals a filling of shrimp, bread, garlic, and lemon, paired with a delicate bisque.
The Partners
Around the event, partners gather—Altamura Distilleries, Amaro Bello, Artisia by Barilla, Bonollo 1908, Campari, Mancino Vermouth and Tassoni—brands that together reinforce the idea of mixology as a cultural language, as much about narrative as it is about flavor.
A Stage in the Heart of Florence
It is no coincidence that this takes place at Gucci Giardino, the café and cocktail bar of the Florentine maison overlooks Piazza della Signoria with the poise of an urban garden. Its design recalls the flower shop that once animated the square, weaving Gucci’s aesthetic codes into a space that feels both intimate and cosmopolitan. The bar’s elegance, the energy of its terrace, the attention to every glass—all echo the city’s own balance of history and invention.
Back to Florence
For Coqtail, this is not a first encounter with the city but a return. Choosing Florence once more signals a bond that grows stronger: a recognition that here, amid art and architecture, hospitality and publishing, the magazine finds its natural stage. With Secret, that bond becomes more visible, even as it celebrates what remains unseen.
Photo courtesy Gucci Giardino
