Stirred, Not Shaken: ¿CóMO? Taperia’s original cocktail inspired by Barcelona and Madrid
El Clásico is a “crushable” Gin and Tonic that goes especially well with the UEFA European Football Championship
Photo by Viranlly Liemena.
Stirred, Not Shaken is Stir’s cocktail series featuring locally made drinks. Sometimes, the beverages are shaken.
HAD COVID-19 NOT come to be, Shaun Layton would be in Spain right now for the Euros—the 2021 UEFA European Football Championship (technically Euro 2020). The Vancouver bartender and restaurateur had secured tickets for the wildly-popular-all-over-the-world soccer matches, then the pandemic smashed those best-laid plans to smithereens.
The spirit of the dream getaway that wasn’t lives on in cocktail form at ¿CóMO? Taperia, the award-winning Spanish restaurant Layton runs with Frankie Harrington.
“The El Clásico is inspired by the two cities that inspired Como: Barcelona and Madrid,” Layton tells Stir. “They’re two very different cities that have two things we love—tapas bars and football. The two cities’ main teams, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, play each other at least three times each year. The rivalry is amongst the best in pro sports, and when they meet it is called El Clásico.”
Gin and Tonics are “more of a Barcelona thing”, Layton says, and they’re also a favourite among the ¿CóMO? crew.
“The key is a good pour of gin, quality ice, lots of ice, cold tonic, and a good, edible garnish,” Layton says.
¿CóMO? makes its El Clásico with Gin Mare, Tio Pepe Fino Sherry, and Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic, garnishing the drink with olive and orange
“It’s a crushable yet refreshing Gin and Tonic,” Layton says. “bringing flavours from the Catalonian Coast and the South”.
The quarterfinal round of UEFA’s 2021 European Football Championship runs to July 3, with the final taking place July 11.
When not in Spain...
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