High But Not Dry

The View On Cocktails from the Mandarin Bar

There is no better view in Las Vegas than the sweeping vistas that magnetically pull you toward the floor-to-ceiling windows at the Mandarin Bar on the 23rd floor. And once you’re there, the cocktail menu is just as dazzling. Without the commotion of a true nightclub, guests get to really savor each sip of these handcrafted libations. “This is the best spot to escape the madness of Las Vegas,” explains Mandarin Bar Manager Michael Aquino. “All 18 of the cocktails on our list were created by our team in-house. All the simple syrups are infused here, and we have just started making batches of bitters as well.” If you want to know more, cozy up to the bar and hang out with the bartenders. “The knowledge our staff carries is second to none.” Not only are they all trained in their own right, but every week the staff attends a refresher course held in town to keep their cocktail game on. In addition to a great spot to relax and take in the atmosphere, the Mandarin Bar features live music on the weekends: a four-piece band plays Top-40 tunes on Friday and Saturday nights, and jazz is featured on Sundays evenings.

MANDARIN ORIGINALS
“These have been on the menu since the hotel opened and are our four biggest hits, all unique to the property. You will not see these cocktails anywhere else in the world.”

INNOVATIVE VINTAGE COCKTAILS
“Spins on classic cocktails and the section of the menu where my team gets the most excited. Take the Smoke and Mirrors, for example—an innovative twist on a Manhattan with a little lemon zest to draw out the bourbon flavors. The Brilliant Old-Fashioned features honeydew, which is a great springtime flavor and very refreshing, and the Crafty Mule creatively uses egg whites to create the frothy foam on top.”

SEASONAL COCKTAILS
“Here, we look for something floral to bring the season into the mix. Brazilian Delight is a riff on the World Cup, and we market to that demographic. Fresh, fruity, and bright, full of tropical flavors. One sip of Spring Into Elyx, and you’ll instantly connect with the rose hips— it’s like walking through a garden. My personal favorite is the Peppered Compass. If you are a gin drinker, you can’t go wrong with this. Very spirit-driven, the pepper kicks that lingering gin flavor at the very end.”

CHAMPAGNE AND TEA COCKTAILS
“These change every other season. Much like the Originals, these are staple items for us.”

SPARKLING ELDERFLOWER
Cucumber
1.5 oz Le Grand Saint Rosé Sparkling Vodka
0.5 oz lemongrass-infused syrup
0.5 oz St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur
0.5 oz fresh lime juice
Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic

In a rocks glass, muddle 4 slices of cucumber. Fill glass with ice. Place tin over glass and lightly combine ingredients. Top with Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic. Garnish with 2 slices of cucumber.

PEPPERED COMPASS
Lemongrass
Pepper
1.5 oz Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
0.75 oz Averell Damson Gin Liqueur
0.125 oz Green Chartreuse
0.75 oz lemon
0.75 ginger simple syrup
Soda

Muddle lemongrass and pepper. Shake and double strain in a snifter. Top with soda.

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