Davide Norcini is the assistant bar manager of Stravinsky’s Parfumerie in Barcelona. He makes us two cocktails, one with rum and Guinness reduction and the second with champagne and Passion Fruit.
Davide introduce yourself
I am Davide Norcini, and I am originally from Florence, Italy. I love my city, but I have been living abroad for 10 years already, working in the hospitality sector in London, Ibiza, Tenerife and finally Barcelona, where I have spent the last 7 years of my life. I started my career as a barback in a club in London and immediately understood that hospitality was my “thing”. After a few experiences in different cities and venues, I moved to Barcelona, where I started working in Dry Martini bar, one of the iconic and historical venues of the city. There I learnt about spirits, classics and the importance of great service. I have loved this experience because I took it as a master’s course in hospitality. I entered the team as a beginner, and I left with a baggage of skills and experience that led me where I am now. After that, I joined Dr Stravinsky, which was (and still is) my favourite cocktail bar in Barcelona. I have been part of the team for the past 3 years as bar supervisor, and now that we are opening a new whole space, Stravinsky’s Parfumerie, I’m going to take care of the mixology area of the space as assistant manager. Stravinsky’s Parfumerie will be a multifaceted space, with a museum entrance about the life of Grigori Stravinsky, the iconic character on which the whole Stravinsky concept is inspired by, and a members club area with an amazing cocktail list designed by Dr.Stravinsky that is nothing you have tried before. A selection of 16 twists on classics that will change completely with the final personalised touch, three options of edible aromas from which the guest can choose, selecting their ideal “perfume”.
The classic you want to show us
Cafe à L’Ateneu
45ml of Rum Infused with Cacao
15ml of Grenade Liqueur
15ml of Guinness Reduction
30ml of Cold Brew Coffee
Spray of Bitter Orange Perfume
The bar you dream of
“My dream bar is a reservation-only cocktail experience where guests are immersed in a fully orchestrated, multisensory journey. The concept goes far beyond the traditional bar model: instead of choosing the cocktail, guests would follow a pre-designed tasting menu. Each cocktail is part of a narrative sequence enhanced by lighting, sound, aromas, smoke, and special effects. These sensory elements are not just accessories, but co-protagonists of the experience, working in harmony with the drinks to transport guests into carefully designed worlds. Portions are intentionally small to maintain clarity and balance, allowing guests to fully enjoy each stage without overwhelming the senses. It’s a space where cocktails become the medium for immersive storytelling.”
What do you do in your time off
Time off…I forgot what that is! Jokes apart, I am aware that working in this industry can sometimes be hard on you and not so healthy, making it difficult to balance work and personal life. That is exactly why, in my free time, I try to follow a healthy lifestyle with workouts and good food. For example, I love to play football and to practice callisthenics!
The spirit you like the most
I am not sure I have an absolute favourite one, I am always happy to work with any kind of spirit, but maybe if I really have to choose one, I would say Rum. It is very versatile with all its varieties (white, spiced, dark, agricole), and I enjoy playing around with it.
What makes a good cocktail
Balance, balance, balance. I love to try new things, I love to experiment and get crazy, but at the end of the day, balance is the key to a good drink. You can serve me a cocktail with my favourite ingredients, but if the proportions are not balanced, I will not like it. On the contrary, I would enjoy a cocktail well balanced with ingredients I may not choose as a first option.
What ingredient do you enjoy using in a cocktail
My Italian roots often inspire me. I love to use Mediterranean ingredients like Basil, rosemary, lemon, grapes, tomatoes, etc… But probably there is one ingredient which I love to use in cocktails: vinegar. I love sour and acid, plus its varieties (apple, wine, balsamic, etc) make me thrilled when it’s time to create a new recipe. In Dr.Stravinsky, we created our homemade vinegar based on rhubarb, sweet potatoes and pink pepper, and it was so fun to make first and then create the recipes that are in our current menu.
The signature cocktail you want to show us
Bella Dorita
50ml of Dark Rum
25ml of Rhubarb Liqueur
25ml of Lime
30g of Vanilla Yoghurt (clarification)
Top with foam made with Champagne & Passion fruit
Spray of Tiki Perfume
Where do you think we need to go to interview another bartender
Madrid has some interesting bars and bartenders to consider. If I had to choose one, maybe I would suggest getting in touch with Alessio Beltrami from Pension Mimosas, a new venue that is rocking in the city.