Miami’s ViceVersa creates ‘nonsense’ menu
Aperitivo bar ViceVersa in Miami, Florida, has launched The Manifesto of Nonsense, a cocktail menu inspired by the Italian futurists of the 1930s.
The Futurists are said to have reimagined cocktail culture to ‘reject the conventional and embrace bold, theatrical, purpose-driven drinks that were meant to stimulate the palate and the imagination’.
Owner Valentino Longo and his team have created the menu, which comprises 10 drinks. Each is ‘born from a function to mean something even when they pretend not to’.
The menu is divided into five sections: Aperire (aperitivo cocktails), Exciting (dynamic cocktails), Aphrodisiac (spicy cocktails), Relaxing (‘Martini-ish’ cocktails), and Digestive (digestifs).
New drinks include the Melavista, in the Aperire section, which is made with Tio Pepe Sherry, apple, ‘pomm’ and bubbles. The cocktail is described as ‘like your favourite apple soda with a view’.
From the Exciting section, ZigZag is a Mexican-inspired Espresso Martini, combining Del Maguey Puebla mezcal, horchata, espresso, almond and Frangelico.
Parthenope from the Aphrodisiac section is described as if a ‘Margarita and a Paloma fell in love on the shore’. The force-carbonated serve is made with Patrón Reposado, mandarin, Alma Finca, fennel and basil.
The Puttanesca Martini, meanwhile, combines Grey Goose vodka, olive oil, caper leaf, Noilly Prat and Castelvetrano brine.
The Digestivo section offers Forza!, a Manhattan riff made with Old Forester Bourbon, Italicus, Cocchi Dopo Teatro, oloroso Sherry and blackcurrant.
The Manifesto of Nonsense replaces the opening menu, although the Negroni Family has remained and been bolstered by a Boulevardier and a White Negroni, made with the bar’s own white vermouth blend, gin, Italicus, Luxardo bitter bianco, and a mix of Buddha’s hand and etrog citrus.
A few other signatures have also been kept on, such as the Martini Doppio, Amaro Old Fashioned, and Affogato Martini.
Modern-day Italian futurist artist Jean Vaquier, AKA Folzer, has illustrated the pages with representations of the drinks and their themes. These illustrations come to life as prints on ViceVersa’s walls and are the inspiration behind the venue’s new merchandise.
The new cocktails range in price from US$16 to US$18. The bar offers a Happy Hour with US$10 cocktails between 5pm and 7pm, Tuesday to Friday.
Earlier this month, Latin American-inspired restaurant, bar and lounge Amazónico opened in Miami.
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