South America meets Italy in the latest drink list at Flores Cócteles Arena and Flores Cócteles Prohibido in Milan, and Terrazza Flores in Rome. These three venues, all part of the El Porteño brand under the Dorrego Company group, channel Latin flair with an Italian heart.
The signature behind the new creations is bar manager Alessio Gulino, who imagined a dialogue between Latin American spirits and fruits, and some of Italy’s most revered liquid icons: vermouths, bitters, amari, and liqueurs.
The Flores Cócteles Drink List
Gulino presents nine cocktails—some wrapped in intrigue, as if daring guests to discover them in person. Tango de Caramelo is one such case: salted caramel is the only revealed ingredient, and its name pays homage to the Argentine dance. Passion, clearly, is the leading note. Even the Espresso Martini comes with an open invitation to be surprised. A twist on the classic, it weaves together Italian nuance and Latin intensity, in tune with the menu’s cross-cultural spirit.
A few more clues on the Habana Dulce: Cuban rum is the base, enriched through fat-washing, with additions of white chocolate, vanilla bitters, and pineapple liqueur. The same technique reappears in Sombra del Maguey, where tequila is infused with bacon. A sage syrup and mango purée complete the drink, served with a bold chimichurri salt rim.
Fifth on the list: Fuego del Mate. It starts with the Fernandito—Argentina’s beloved mix of fernet and cola. Gulino’s version swaps cola for chinotto, adds a rhubarb-based amaro, and finishes with a delicate mate tea air. Then there’s the Martini del Parrillero, made with gin and a custom vermouth blend infused with chimichurri olives. It’s a tribute to the asador, guardian of the grill and master of open-fire cooking.
The Unconventional Additions
Verde Sol is a non-alcoholic take on the Paloma. No tequila, though its presence is subtly echoed in a blend of sage and grapefruit. Tropical Caramelo twists the Pornstar Martini, spotlighting passion fruit and striking a bold contrast with salted caramel—unexpected, yet elegantly balanced.
Last but far from least: Vuelo del Sur. Gin takes a supporting role here, as the spotlight shifts to a liqueur from Argentina’s San Juan province, dedicated to legendary jockey Irineo Leguisamo. It’s crafted from sugarcane spirit infused with herbs, citrus peel, and caramel.
Images courtesy of Flores Cócteles
