Freelance writer Ramy James Salameh embraces the good life at the Skyline Rooftop Bar in Venice.
The word ‘artisan’ has never been more relevant than in Venice – a city with a history of craftsmanship, precious products and inimitable style.
It is through these arts, crafts and traditions that ‘Le Serenissima’ comes alive, and still visible within workshops, boutiques, restaurants, cafés and bars, all providing indulgent experiences, which the Italians aptly refer to as ‘La Dolce Vita’.
The sweet life – the literal translation of the aforementioned Italian adage – extends to the experience at the Skyline Rooftop Bar on the isle of Guidecca in Venice, where Valentina Mircea, an award-winning mixologist, has created a range of new and seasonal cocktails.
The rooftop bar, at the Hilton Molino Stucky, enjoys stunning views over the Canale Guidecca out towards Piazza San Marco and the famous skyline beyond.
Valentina, the hotel’s first female bar manager, is re-purposing ingredients to design unique cocktails, whilst respecting the old classics.
She has even harnessed digital technologies along the way, to curate what she calls her voyage through the flavours that represent Venice.
The Artisan Negron is one cocktail which encapsulates Valentina’s ethos and features prominently on the bar’s winter menu.
Valentina uses equal measures of Sospiri Gin, Campari, Rabitt Premium Bitter and Bottega Vermouth and finished with a Campari-Caviar garnish, it not only champions local ingredients, but respects the history of the drink, with her own visionary interpretation.
Enjoying the spectacular views over Venice I bite into the dehydrated fruit slice topped with caviar, which explodes in the mouth with a ‘Caspian pop’ before washing it down with a sip of the warming amber liquid – delivering a strong, bitter and spicy finish.
As I continue to enjoy Valentina’s sublime creation, she explains her approach to mixing cocktails: “Our Negroni is just a touch away from a classic, but with the introduction of locally sourced and beautiful products, it’s a combination and experience only found in Skyline.”
The menu describes each cocktail in three words, which instantly matches the guest’s palate to their ideal drink. Another innovation is seeing your cocktail prepared virtually via a QR code on the menu, part of this new world theatrics, which seamlessly incorporates the old.
Central to Valentina’s ideology is sustainability, sourcing local products and engaging the local community alongside her guests.
Examples of re-purposing surplus ingredients include using coffee grinds from the hotel’s Rialto Restaurant, which forms the central ingredient to an in-house Coffee Liqueur, used to create their individual take on the ever-popular Espresso Martini, as Valentina explains: “For every bottle of Prosecco and Champagne that goes flat, we add a touch of pisco, vodka, sugar, mint and magic, and we create our own house Vermouth.
Her passion for her work, extends to her team and beyond. Valentina feels she is playing her part for female empowerment within a role that is still male dominated.
To counter this imbalance, she is setting up an all-female bartender’s club in March 2025 that will welcome the growing number of female bartenders in Venice.
Valentina has also set-up monthly masterclasses for her bar team, which will expand everyone’s knowledge of various brands.
Valentina has only been in Venice since February 2024, but has already created two seasonal menus to reflect the essence of Venice, whilst engaging local producers and communities, and has developed sustainable and inclusive initiatives.
As I contemplate saying arrivederci and leaving this haven and style and indulgence I reflect on the three words that would describe Valentina and conclude that, like her cocktails, there’s no competition: Artisanal, Empowering and Trendsetting.
I can’t wait to return.
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