Vito Pietroburgo: Mag Cafè (Milan)

Vito is a bartender at Mag Cafè in Milan. He makes two cocktails for us, one with Vermouth and Gum Syrup and the second with Mezcal and Old Sailor Coffee.

Vito introduce yourself
My name is Vito Pietroburgo and I started bartending in Trapani, Sicily as a bit of a joke. I soon realised I really enjoyed working behind the bar and I’ve been doing it for the last five years now. I moved to Milan and Mag Cafè when I was discovered by Flavio (who is one of the owners) at an Italian equivalent of the XFactor, only this one is for bartenders.

The classic you want to show us
Vermouth cocktail
40ml of Cocchi Classico Vermouth
20ml of Cocchi Amaro Vermouth
3.75ml of Gum syrup
3 dashes of Angostura bitter
1 dash of Aromatic bitter

The bar you dream of
I’d like to open a bar in a quiet place or an area that still has not discovered cocktails. Maybe in the country, so I could utilise local produce and I’d have food that paired with the drinks and definitely some local foods from Sicily on the menu. The interior would be a mix of furniture from all over Italy, so you felt like you had been on a journey with me. I am very passionate about music, so there would definitely be a diverse playlist.

What do you do in your time off
When I have time I like to explore museums, otherwise I’m trying new bars, although I usually end up back here at Mag Cafè.

The spirit you like the most
Vermouth, as it is a classic Italian product and the base for most cocktails. It’s sweet, spicy, adds a silky texture and is the real heart and soul of a drink. It’s just such a part of our culture and for me, my favourite is Cocchi Amaro.

What makes a good cocktail and which product do you want to highlight at this moment
Of course balance, but I also think it needs to be something a client likes in terms of flavour, aroma and look.
In Southern Italy I used a lot of citrus, but here in Milan I would have to say bitters. The Milanese palette prefers more bitter style drinks and so they are a must in most cocktails I make here.

The signature cocktail you want to show us
Cafe del Conte
30ml of Vermouth del Professore
20ml of Mezcal Nuestra Soledad
10ml of Old Sailor Coffee (rum based)
20ml of Campari bitter
2.5ml of Salt syrup

Where do you think we need to go to interview another bartender?
You should go to Tiger bar in Paris, The Savoy in London and The Jerry Thomas Project in Rome.

3 Comments

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