Few bartenders command the respect and admiration that Salvatore Calabrese has earned over four decades behind the bar. Known throughout the industry simply as The Maestro, the Italian-born mixologist has shaped modern cocktail culture from London to Monaco, crafting drinks that balance classic technique with refined creativity.
Calabrese’s journey began in the seaside village of Maiori on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, where he first learned the fundamentals of hospitality. By the age of 21, he had already become the youngest maître d’ on the Amalfi Coast. His career would soon lead him to London, where his talent for combining rare spirits and elegant presentation turned him into one of the most celebrated bartenders of his generation.
Over the years, Calabrese has presided over some of the city’s most iconic bars, including those at The Lanesborough and Brown’s Hotel. His reputation for innovation also led to the creation of the world’s most expensive cocktail, served at the legendary Playboy Club in Mayfair and priced at £5,500 per glass.
Equally famous is his concept of “Liquid History,” a curated collection of rare cognacs and vintage spirits that allows guests to taste bottles dating back centuries. For Calabrese, cocktails are not simply beverages—they are vessels of memory and storytelling.
Today, the Maestro continues to influence the global drinks scene through consulting projects with luxury hospitality brands and appearances at some of London’s most distinguished bars. Alongside his celebrated classics, he continues to craft inventive new cocktails that highlight premium ingredients and timeless technique.
Below are several signature drinks from Calabrese that capture his distinctive approach to mixology.
Chic Elit
A refined Champagne-forward cocktail built around ultra-premium vodka.
Ingredients
60 ml chilled Elit Vodka
30 ml Champagne
3–4 dashes orange bitters
Garnish
Edible flower
Method
Add orange bitters to a chilled glass. Pour in the chilled vodka, then top with Champagne. Stir gently. Express a twist of orange over the drink and discard the peel. Garnish with an edible flower.
Breakfast Martini
One of Calabrese’s most famous creations, this cocktail combines the brightness of citrus with the depth of marmalade.
Ingredients
50 ml gin
15 ml Cointreau
15 ml fresh lemon juice
1 bar spoon fine-cut orange marmalade
Method
Add all ingredients to a shaker and stir briefly to dissolve the marmalade. Add ice, shake, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with shredded orange peel.
Madame Loren
A fruit-forward cocktail that blends vibrant citrus with subtle sweetness.
Ingredients
35 ml gin
25 ml strawberry and tamarillo purée
15 ml Euphoria Perfidhia liqueur
25 ml blood orange juice
5 ml honey
Method
Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a coupe glass over a single large ice cube. Garnish with a fried basil leaf.
Starman
A whisky-based cocktail with delicate fruit and herbal notes.
Ingredients
40 ml 12-year-old malt whisky
15 ml Salvatore’s Acqua Bianca liqueur
Umeshu wine soda to top
Method
Pour the whisky and liqueur into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with Umeshu wine soda and stir gently. Garnish with a Kikuna leaf.
Spicy Fifty
Perhaps one of Calabrese’s most widely recognized modern cocktails.
Ingredients
50 ml Stoli Vanilla Vodka
15 ml elderflower cordial
15 ml fresh lime juice
10 ml honey syrup
2 thin slices red chili pepper
Method
Place all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake sharply and double-strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a red chili slice.
Closing
After more than forty years behind the bar, Salvatore Calabrese continues to demonstrate that great cocktails are built on both precision and imagination. Whether drawing on centuries-old spirits or experimenting with new flavor combinations, the Maestro approaches every drink with the same philosophy: elegance in the glass.
For cocktail enthusiasts and collectors of fine spirits alike, these recipes offer a glimpse into the craft of one of the industry’s true legends.
