The bartending artisans at Butcher & Still have unveiled their ode to the Prohibition era – ten handcrafted cocktails to hold during a New Year’s toast and enjoy throughout the festive season. Ranging from reinvented classic beverages to tantalising treats, Bartenders Luigi Landi and Max James celebrate the art of mixology with contrasting styles – chilled elegance and fiery passion – at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island.
The art of refreshment dazzles daily on the Butcher & Still terrace. As the cool winter breeze rolls through the inviting waterfront setting, guests are welcomed to enjoy happy hour sundowners by the Prohibition-era icon’s barmen. Coming from Mediterranean and African climates, bartenders Luigi and Max have developed drinks that deserve to be sipped al fresco, with opulent views of the city skyline. Landi’s selection, the Billie Holiday, adds the jazz of a bygone era. Artistically improvising on the cocktail’s gin baseline through addition of St-Germain, red wine, elderflower syrup, and lemon create an iconic representation befitting of the famed singer. Getting the Hotel’s Prohibition era patrons off to the races, is James’ terrace pick, the Kentucky Derby. Winning the race to bourbon-lovers’ hearts by a country mile is this Butcher & Still twist on the mint julep. Ingenuously choosing a vibrant infusion of orgeat syrup, the sweet notes perfectly contrast with bourbon, mint, and lemon to take make the Al Maryah Island speakeasy the refreshment destination in Abu Dhabi.
During happy hour (4:00 to 7:00 pm daily), guests will be able to enjoy one complimentary beverage from a selected happy hour drinks list.
On Thursdays and Fridays, guests are transported to an otherworldly show of a bygone luxury. Combining the lavish appeal of a freshly popped bottle of Veuve Clicquot with gin, lychee puree, and lime is Luigi Landi’s must-have beverage for Abu Dhabi’s swinging Thursday night soirees – the Opulent View. Developed in celebration of the restaurant’s cinematic skyline view, the celebratory concoction pairs perfectly with Restaurant Chef Marshall Roth’s overflowing Grand Seafood Tower, flame-grilled Creekstone Farms beef, and legendary company. Friday afternoon brings the heat with sizzling platters at the weekly Meat People Brunch. Firing up the capital’s bar-going crowd at the weekend’s main event is bartender Max with his Chicago-inspired Giardiniera. Honouring the City of Broad Shoulders’ pepper passion, the dramatic elixir uses fiesta-inducing mezcal and tequila as a base with an in-house crafted fire roasted pepper puree, and Dekuyper orange.
The Meat People Brunch is vailable Fridays from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and is priced from AED 390.
ON New Year’s Eve, a hand-selected array of cocktails will leave a sweet finish to the year. Blending the arts of pastry and mixology are the restaurant’s dynamic duo of bartenders. Luigi Landi’s magnum opus, the Tiramisu Negroni elevates his country’s beloved Negroni through a fantastic display of Four Seasons artistry. By combining coffee, Kahlua, cream, and egg yolk he lights up the Abu Dhabi skyline with pure Italian innovation. The showstopping New Year’s Eve celebrations finish with one last toast with Max James’ Quinny cocktail in-hand. Capping off the evening in Butcher & Still style, is the smooth finish from a coupe glass containing Hennessy, Baileys, limoncello, Frangelico, vanilla, and cream. Whether visitors choose to enjoy the Chicago steakhouse’s richly-appointed dining room with faithfully recreated 1920s details or sit on the waterfront, the final toast is sure to create lasting memories.
New Year’s Eve at Butcher & Still runs from 7:00 pm onwards. Indoor seating starts at AED 700, while outdoors begins at AED 800.
To discover the newly launched drinks menu, visit the Hotel’s Instagram Story Highlights.
For more information or to make a reservation, head over to the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island’s official website.