Bartender Made Cocktails – Moni Spritz

This article is made in collaboration with Harris Nikou, an amazing Bartender in Cyprus.

The Cocktail that you’re about to make is one of Harris Nikou’s Signature Fizz Cocktails, which he makes as the Head Bartender at Nammos World in Cyprus.

Let’s Meet The Bartender!

“My name is Harris, I grow up in Thessaloniki, Greece. I was enchanted by flavors such as cuisine, wine and spirits! My country played a huge role cause its high gastronomy and fine quality wines. I would describe myself as an artist figure cause I play music (guitar) and I like to create, sometimes creativity strikes hard.
I entered the world of bartending 2 years ago, my motive was alcohol and mixing drinks is my Passion.

“I love the philosophy of Cocktails because it’s a journey of flavors, you can create everything as long as you imagine it!”

“My alternative word for Cocktail is Liquid Mystery!”

“I had and have a lot of teachers behind the bar and general in hospitality, for me every bartender is a teacher because you always have something new to learn and you can inspire tons of ideas!” 

“My favourite spirit is Rum because it’s dirty, full of flavor and takes me back to the pirate era, it makes the experience of drinking rum fascinating.” – Harris Nikou

What was the inspiration behind Moni Spritz and when did you first make it?

“Ohh, well, inspiration always strikes when you don’t expect it or when you understand the environment you live in. I am living in a village right now cause of work and I notice one smell from a house, it was a fig marmalade made by grandmother to the grandkids, I was curious so I asked that old lady for a bite, she kindly gave me a jar.”

“After that, I was thinking to make a cocktail for summer, easy going, so I created a fig vanilla syrup with Demerara sugar. I inspired vanilla from a Russian girlfriend I had, oh she smelled vanilla all the time! I love it! The other ingredient was my urge to make a cocktail for somebody! I want that somebody to take vibes from a village lifestyle. Raspberry liqueur, fig, vanilla and Prosecco served my purpose and boom! My cocktail was born! Elegant refreshing and perfect after lunch/dinner meals as the sugar does all the work giving pleasure and relaxation!”

The Recipe For Moni Spritz

Ingredients

• Star of Bombay
• Benedictine
• Fig Vanilla Syrup (Homemade)
• Chambord
• Fresh Lime Juice
• Prosecco

How To Make The Moni Spritz Cocktail

• Place The Following Ingredients Into A Cocktail Shaker
• 40ml Star of Bombay
• 5ml Benedictine
• 20ml Fig Vanilla Syrup
• 12,5ml Chambord
• 7,5ml Fresh Lime Juice
• Shake and Strain/Fine Strain Into Champagne Flute
• Top Up With Prosecco
• Then Garnish with Rosemary, Dried Lime and Raspberry Paint

 

Images belong to Harris Nikou. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use them.