For the third in our series of columns with Franklin & Sons, SLTN popped into Leith’s very own aperitivo bar, Bittersweet, to talk fine flavours and craft mixers with co-owner Fabrizio Cioffi – who also owns nearby craft distillery Old Poison.
Fabrizio then treated us to two delicious drinks: the Latin Vibe and Limoncello Spritz.
What was the thinking behind Bittersweet?
Fabrizio Cioffi: “Opening Bittersweet was one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life. More than anything my thinking was that I wanted to give the people something new. Or something they had never tried before.
“As an Italian, Bittersweet has the culture of the aperitivo. Aperitivo is not just about Aperol, Campari, and the Negroni. Aperitivo is a moment. It’s a piece of your culture – the moment you’re chilling out. You have your drink, your snacks.
“But rather than making [drinks] as everyone does, we wanted to make something different. We are Italian and we are artisan. Most of the time when you go to bars in Italy they produce their own liqueurs, amaretto, limoncello, whatever it is.
“The most important part is when you have a sip of it, the chat behind it. It’s all the interaction. And that’s what Bittersweet had to be.”
As a bar you have a unique proposition: serving a wide range of products that you produce yourself (at Old Poison). Can you give us an example of a recent creation that is now on the back-bar?
Fabrizio: “We do lots of limited edition collaborations. The last one was with Walkie Talky Brewery. We created a vermouth using beer as the base. It was crazy. Walkie Talky gave us the Hazy Blonde Ale and then we produced in exactly the same way as we do the vermouth, but instead of using wine we used beer, which is made in Edinburgh.
“In this case the Hazy Blonde had a very citrusy, aromatic flavour profile. But it was a phenomenal aperitif. We see vermouth as always being used in a cocktail, but for me vermouth is just over ice with a slice of citrus. And it’s delicious.
“I was thinking how I could produce a vermouth in Scotland. Unfortunately I can’t get any Scottish wine. But the thing I can use, which is very popular, is beer.”
Tell us about your approach to garnishes and, specifically, your use of liquid garnishes.
Fabrizio: “Bittersweet has a zero waste policy. We don’t want to waste anything. We see garnishes not just as something to make drinks look pretty. That’s important, but sometimes they need to have a use. A lot of times in bars I see a slice of orange, slice of this or that going to the bin. That’s why we have one of the largest ranges of liquid garnishes. Our glasses for Negronis, for Spritzes, are naked glasses. We don’t have any slices of orange or lime or anything like that. We spray the oil for specific drinks in those circumstances. So I’m giving you the real thing, which is the aroma.”
Why use Franklin & Sons sodas and mixers?
Fabrizio: “I needed something with a different range and a very good product and Franklin & Sons is the only one I know that is at that level and works for our concept as well.
“We wanted something with the quality. Something very modern. Since we’ve been working with Franklin & Sons we’ve never been disappointed. They have a very good range.”
Bittersweet has a unique proposition in Leith. How important is it to Franklin & Sons to work with the team there?
Global brand ambassador, David Robinson: “We’re very much a brand that is built in the on-trade. And that is down to collaboration, working with bartenders, operators, getting new ideas, staying fresh. We want to be able to always work with partners that are pushing the boat out. And the products work well in that respect, with high carbonation, natural ingredients, and the ability to actually work in these drinks and not overwhelm them.
“Of course, a big part of what we do is spirit mixers, but we want people to think about using the product in cocktails. Is it the base of a fizz? Is it part of a Spritz? Can a flavoured tonic come into a cocktail? It’s in places like Bittersweet where we are learning, and we’re seeing what the industry’s doing. How they’re pushing things forward. And we just want to celebrate that. It’s a fantastic partnership from our side.”
Latin Vibe
- Old Poison vermouth
- Mezcal
- Luxardo Maraschino
- Lime juice
- Simple syrup
- Franklin & Sons Mandarin & Ginger soda
- Lemon Peel liquid garnish
Limoncello Spritz
- Limoncello
- Prosecco
- Franklin & Sons Elderflower & Cucumber Tonic Water
- Lemon liquid garnish
