HOW I MAKE THAT DRINK (AND WHY IT'S SO GOOD)
The Black Mark
Lukáš is the Bar Manager at Alcron Bar in Prague, at the gorgeous, very modern and stylish Almanack X Alcron hotel, one of the city’s best.
Originally from Slovakia, Lukáš studied photography before going into the hospitality field, which he says shapes his approach to cocktails, from a visual point of view to “detail and storytelling”.
This is a thoughtful cocktail maker.
He has spent over a a decade working in bars in Prague and abroad, including an internship at Sips Barcelona, one of the world’s best cocktail bars. His work, he says, is strongly influenced by travel, local ingredients and personal experience.
At Alcron Bar, he also sees cocktails as part of a broader creative dialogue. One example is Black Mark, his collaboration with the unlikely muse of Slovak fashion designer Michael Kováčik, who is also an ambassador of the hotel, which led to the creation of the drink, also influenced by Lukáš’ journey through Mexico.
The Drink
Black Mark
The cocktail is inspired by a Mezcal Margarita and my personal journey through the world of agave in Mexico. At its base is Mezcal, whose gently smoky character is balanced by clarified mango, bringing clean, ripe and tropical fruit notes.
The flavour profile is further deepened by Tequila, the herbal freshness of tarragon, and the dry, nutty-saline elegance of Spanish sherry. A final touch of black sesame adds a subtle toasted note and a longer, more complex finish.
The result is a fresh, tropical and structured cocktail that connects agave, mango and the delicate smokiness of Mexico with a refined gastronomic layer.
Ingredients
11g Mezcal
22g Tequila Tarragon
40g Mango Cordial
8g Amontillado Sherry
5g Falernum
0,2g Lemon Brine
0,3g Kaffir lime Chilli Tincture
For the Mango Cordial
40g Fresh Mango Pure
10g Filtered Water
0,1g Pectinex SP-I
6g White Sugar
0,4g Tartic Acid
0,6g Malic Acid
Preparation
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled.
(OK, well that’s easy then.)
