Skof Manchester’s Shiso Martini: a refined take on the classic
Manchester, United Kingdom
A collaboration with Atelier Pip reimagines the martini with Stoli Vodka, blackcurrant liqueur and Cocchi Extra Dry, finished with the delicate grace of shiso.
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A cocktail in deep crimson, luminous against the dark, speaks of careful composition and assured hands at work. Skof Manchester has created its Shiso Martini in partnership with Atelier Pip, a spirit house known for its considered approach to flavour and presentation.
The drink draws from classical martini architecture: Stoli Vodka provides the essential clarity and smoothness, while Cocchi Extra Dry vermouth brings its customary herbaceous elegance. The blackcurrant liqueur introduces depth and a subtle fruitiness, shifting the drink away from the austerity of tradition without abandoning it entirely. Shiso, the Japanese leaf with its particular blend of mint and citrus notes, becomes the graceful gesture that completes the composition, offering both visual refinement and a whisper of brightness on the palate.
The result sits at the intersection of familiarity and discovery: recognisably a martini in its form and fundamental purpose, yet rendered with enough originality to warrant the attention of those who appreciate a bartender’s thoughtfulness. This is the kind of drink that rewards a second visit, one that reveals its intention only after the first sip has settled.
The Shiso Martini appears on Skof Manchester’s cocktail programme during service.
Imagery courtesy of Skof Manchester (@skof_manchester).