DrinkManila.com and Discovery Primea celebrate Women’s Month with the Women and Tipple Series

DrinkManila.com is the Philippines’ first online magazine about drinks. Over the past year and a half, DrinkManila has covered all aspects of drinking. DrinkManila.com also offers over a hundred (and counting) easy-to-follow recipes and videos featuring a variety of local and imported ingredients. In addition to highlighting news, products, and events in the beverage category, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, DrinkManila.com collaborates with creators from other industries to mount special events to broaden people’s knowledge and experience of drinking.

It was a mutual love of drinks and drinking that brought together the founders of DrinkManila.com—Editor-in-chief and publishing industry veteran Tatum Ancheta and Marketing Director, restaurateur, and mixology expert Icy Mariñas—and inspired them to create an online magazine dedicated to drinks in the Philippines.

We’ve all encountered general misconceptions about what women like to drink, as well as misconceptions about women who like to drink. Whether they’re seen as “wild” or as exclusive imbibers of fruity, colorful cocktails, women are usually not the target audience of most alcohol marketing. In some cases, they are the “prize” in booze adverts, or are seen as the ones selling the product, but not drinking it. Thankfully, times are changing.

In recent years, the alcohol industry has seen a rise in interest, involvement, and participation from women. When DrinkManila.com started, 73 percent of our readers were women. We’ve seen an increase in women brand managers, brand ambassadors, and bartenders over the years. Women are also actively learning more about and getting a better understanding of alcoholic beverages.

In celebration of Women’s Month this March, DrinkManila.com and Discovery Primea launches the Women and Tipple Series, a set of tasting events that will foster spirited conversations led by women about what women like to drink. These events will give guests the opportunity to gather with bartenders, brand ambassadors, and other drink enthusiasts to try new spirits and cocktails.

The series kicks off last March 7, Wednesday at Discovery Primea’s new terrace bar, Edge located on the 16th floor of the hotel. For the first leg of Women and Tipple Series, DrinkManila’s editor-in-chief Tatum Ancheta introduced DrinkManila.com and discussed how the beverage industry is evolving with women who appreciate a good tipple. Guests were introduced to Don Papa Rum’s three expressions– 7 Years Old, 10 Years Old, and the Rare Cask through a tasting session led by Don Papa brand manager Erica Larkins. DrinkManila.com’s mixology expert Icy Mariñas showcased recipes that highlight the versatility of this local rum and taught the guests how to create cocktails using this small-batch rum from the Isle of Negros, Philippines.

To complement the drinks, Edge served Shrimp Ceviche with peppers, cilantro, and citrus cocktail sauce; Foie Gras Macaroons with fig and onion jam; Warm Salmon Nigiri in crispy sushi rice, caramel soy, and scallions; Wagyu Beef with sesame oil, garlic slivers, and Madeira-mirin; and Mini Airbags made of queso de bola mousse, sweet ham, and burnt sugar.

Here are the recipes created for the night to highlight Don Papa Rum:

PRETTY IN PEACH (watch the video recipe)

Inspired by Pretty in Pink, a popular ’80s coming-of-age movie, this cocktail recipe is sweet, fresh, and easy to drink, balanced with herbal and spicy notes. With just a hint of sourness from the passionfruit and spice from the cardamom bitters, the taste of this delightful cocktail reminds you of the feeling of young love.

• Glass: Balloon Gin and Tonic Glass or Wine Glass
• Ice: Sphere Ice
• Garnish: Fresh sprig of dill and an orange peel

Ingredients:

• 30 ml Don Papa Rum
• 10 ml Giffard Peach Syrup
• 5 ml Giffard Passionfruit Liqueur
• 1 dash *Scrappy’s Cardamom Bitters
• Tonic water to top

Directions:

1. Build all ingredients in a chilled Gin and Tonic Glass starting with the peach syrup.
2. Add ice and top with tonic water.
3. Express orange peel, drop it in the glass and garnish with fresh dill.

*Scrappy’s Cardamom Bitters is available at www.winedepot.com.ph

BANANARAMA  (watch the video recipe)

Bananarama brings the sweet flavors of banana, pineapple, and rum together in one delicious drink. The lemon juice balances the sweetness, giving just a hint of tartness. It smells like a tropical paradise and has a smooth, creamy finish.

• Glass: Collins Glass
• Ice: Tube Ice
• Garnish: Lime peel and Banana candy

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Don Papa Rum
• 30 ml banana syrup
• 60 ml unsweetened pineapple juice
• 25 ml lemon juice

How to make Bananarama cocktail:

1. Add ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake and pour.
3. Garnish with banana candy and lime peel.

How to make the banana syrup:

Yield: 1.5 Liters of syrup (lasts for two months in the fridge)

Ingredients:

• 14 pieces Lakatan banana
• 5 cups of sugar
• 5 cups of water
• 6 tsp. McCormick Banana Flavor extract

Directions:

1. Combine 5 cups of sugar and 5 cups of water in a pot.
2. Boil over medium-high heat until mixture thickens slightly.
3. Stir in McCormick Banana Flavor extract and sliced bananas.
4. Remove syrup from heat and let it cool.
5. Add the banana syrup in a blender and blend until smooth.
6. Transfer to a bottle.

DOÑA MAMAS  (watch the video recipe)

Inspired by the Finale Art File gallery and the women behind it, Doña Mamas was created by DrinkManila.com during the La Fuerza Party last March 1, 2018. This spirit-forward cocktail is easy to make but tastes very complex. It’s sweet, but not cloying, with a nutty finish brought out by the bitters and cookie syrup.

• Glass: Old Fashioned Glass
• Ice: Large Ice Cube
• Garnish: Lemon Cookie

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Don Papa Rum
• 10 ml Giffard Chocolate Cookie Syrup
• 2 dashes chocolate bitters
• 1 dash Angostura bitters

Directions:

1. Pour ingredients into mixing glass.
2. Add ice, stir, and strain into a glass of fresh ice.
3. Express lemon peel to release oils on the cocktail.
4. Serve with lemon cookie.

DrinkManila’s Women and Tipple series for March is a by invite only event. If you want to join the tasting events, please subscribe to our mailing list, and we will update you on the upcoming schedule, or follow us on @drinkmanila on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for updates.  

Don Papa Rum was first introduced in 2012 in the Philippines and has since become available in international markets, such as the United Kingdom and Spain the United States. Distilled in small batches from sugar cane grown on the Philippines Island of Negros and aged in American oak barrels for seven years, this amber liquid is packed with vanilla, honey, and candied fruit flavors and a hint of spice. 

Giffard Liqueurs and Syrups Philippines are distributed in the Philippines by partner Europ Continents Phils. Inc. For product inquiry you may send them a direct message on Facebook at @giffardph, call 02 355 7631, or visit their office at 3D Warehouse Compound, 3 Mercury Avenue, Brgy. Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City.

Edge is located at the 16th floor of Discovery Primea, with a view of the Makati skyline, this garden lounge is the ideal setting for casual night outs. For reservations, call the Edge at +632 955 8888 local 71620.