Located in the bustling Poblacion sector of Makati, Bizarre Bar has once again enhanced its reputation by offering a cocktail degustation experience that goes beyond simple cocktails and instead pays homage to Filipino culture. The “Ampaw” cocktail, the evening’s centerpiece, mesmerized guests with its inventive mixology and blend of traditional Filipino ingredients.
Ian Libang, Beverage Director of Bizarre Bar, finds great personal meaning in this commitment. The “Ampaw” drink, which bears his mother’s name, is a tribute to Libang’s mother and the bar’s goal of showcasing the diverse cuisine of the Philippines. Libang paid tribute to his ancestry and reaffirmed the bar’s commitment to maintaining regional flavors by adding his mother’s treasured recipe into the evening’s last cocktail.
Libang shared a touching childhood memory that inspired the ‘Ampaw’ cocktail. He reminisced about how his mother would make toasted rice treats from the burnt rice at the bottom of the rice cooker. “Every summer, when rice would spoil quicker, my mom would collect the burnt rice at the bottom to preserve it. She deep-fried it, sprinkled it with sugar, and served it on a newspaper cone. This practice was actually passed down from her father, as she grew up on a farm, ” Libang explained.
This nostalgic recipe became the inspiration for the final cocktail of the night, blending a clarified wild turkey bourbon with toasted rice sorbet for a distinctive tasting experience. A swig of ‘Ampaw’ reveals the familiar smoothness of a classic bourbon, followed by the unexpected yet delightful punch of burnt rice and tangy flavors from the cold sorbet, contrasting beautifully with the warm, clarified spirit.
The ‘Ampaw’ cocktail emerged as a standout conclusion to the evening, rounding off a night of expertly crafted cocktails and thoughtfully paired bar bites. It left a lasting impression on guests and solidified Bizarre Bar’s reputation for delivering culturally rich and unforgettable dining experiences.
Libang noted that the ‘Ampaw’ delivered effectively as a celebratory toast like he intended. He added that the well-balanced cocktail was meant to surprise guests and cement a special experience with Bizarre, saying, “People come in expecting that the dessert is the final course of the night. With the unexpected Ampaw, the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, along with textures and temperatures cleanses the palate and etches Filipino heritage flavors in the memory of guests even after they leave Bizarre.”
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary Dale De Vera, a guest and advocate of Filipino culture, praised the ‘Ampaw’ cocktail. “We are always grateful for businesses that spotlight Filipino culture and traditions. Bizarre Bar’s cocktail degustation, with its unique offerings and compelling storytelling, truly elevates the Filipino brand. The ‘Ampaw’ toast was a remarkable end to an unforgettable evening,” De Vera noted.
The dedication of Bizarre Bar to honoring Filipino ancestry via creative concoctions like “Ampaw” is indicative of a larger movement in the neighborhood’s food scene. This method adds a contemporary touch while highlighting classic flavors. Diners enjoy great cuisine and drinks combined with stories that connect them to Filipino culture as more places adopt this trend.
Discover Filipino narratives via mixed drinks at Bizarre Bar located in Poblacion, Makati. Go to http://www.thebizarrebar.com to make a reservation.
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