Liquid Rituals: Misto Steps Outside Its Home at TH ROOF

The first sip never really begins in the glass. It starts the moment you step into the bar — perhaps even before.

Some people reach for their usual drink after a day at work, almost as a ritual marking the transition from professional life into the more intimate sphere of their private world. Others put themselves in the hands of the bartender, or simply follow the inspiration of the moment, as though a drink could somehow read their state of mind — filling a void or adding another dimension to an emotion already there.

And then there are places that seem suspended in time, almost removed from the world around them. TH ROOF is one of them.

From its terrace, the Roman sunset washes the dome of St Peter’s in shades of pink, yellow and orange. It is the kind of view that quiets the mind, gently putting back into place the pieces unsettled by the stresses of everyday life. At that moment, the ritual shifts from something individual to something shared.

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As the lights of Rome gradually take over from the fading evening sky, the terrace becomes the setting for the presentation of Liquid Rituals.

More than a temporary cocktail menu, the collection reflects a growing focus on reducing alcohol content and exploring the possibilities of the low-ABV movement. Botanical extractions, aromatic ice and non-alcoholic spirits provide structure in place of sheer alcoholic strength.

Behind the drinks lies both rigorous research and a strong sense of imagination, developed over years of experimentation. What began as an exploration of gastronomy has gradually matured into an approach capable of shifting its centre of gravity towards ambitious, author-driven mixology. Presenting that identity outside the bar for the first time was an ambitious test — and by no means a straightforward one.

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Inside the Drinks

1. Spark: The Sensory Effect of the Electric Flower

Spark draws directly on the traditional rituals surrounding mezcal in Mexico, where the spirit is not knocked back in a single shot but “se besa” — “kissed” in small sips — traditionally accompanied by the savoury character of sal de gusano and orange.

For this interpretation, that tradition is referenced through a rim of Tajín, while the familiar “kiss” of agave is reimagined through the electric flower (Acmella oleracea).

Its tingling, numbing effect temporarily alters the sensitivity of the mouth, meaning that with every sip the balance between bright citrus and the smoky notes of mezcal, Amaro Santoni and Liquore Strega shifts slightly.

It is a sensory game that turns drinking into a dynamic, tactile experience, bringing the ritual of Mexican mezcal drinking together with an entirely different form of stimulation.

The finish lingers with ripe apricot and fruit notes, persistent without becoming tiring.

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2. Borealis: Visual Impact and Balsamic Notes

Borealis is the most visually dramatic cocktail of the collection.

Served in darkness, the glass emits a cobalt-blue glow, evoking the otherworldly atmosphere of the aurora borealis.

On the palate, a base of Wiborowa Vodka meets the alcohol-free Sabatini 0.0, lifted by notes of mountain pine, sage and lemon, together with the effervescence of Aegean Tonic.

With the alcoholic component deliberately reduced, the drink develops a clean, distinctly balsamic profile. Sage becomes particularly expressive on the finish, lingering well beyond the initial sip.

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3. Roasted Negroni: Specialty Coffee Extraction

Perhaps the most balanced drink of the evening in terms of both depth and persistence.

The classic framework of London Dry Gin, Carpano and Campari is enriched with the character of an Ethiopian specialty coffee, alongside mandarin and black tea.

The first impression is one of bright, fruity acidity and citrus — characteristics commonly associated with East African coffee — before gradually giving way to a long, elegant roasted finish.

Rather than relying on alcohol for weight, the drink finds complexity and depth in the intricate aromatic profile of coffee.

4. R(evolutionary) Negroni: Transformation Through Ice

This cocktail is an exercise in time and transformation.

It initially arrives with the dry, linear profile of a Martini, built around Sabatini Gin and Carpano Dry.

What changes its structure are ice cubes made from non-alcoholic bitter and vermouth.

As the ice slowly melts into the glass, it releases colour, spice and flavour, gradually shifting the drink towards the profile of a Negroni.

By the end, orange has become particularly prominent. Compared with a traditional Negroni, the unmistakable bitterness and incisive character of Campari are absent, but in their place comes a softer interpretation that evolves progressively with every sip.

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5. Afterglow: Citrus Aromatics and Mystical Notes

Named after the fading light that lingers after sunset, Afterglow is built around the soft, fruity character of Pisco Hermano Acholado.

Its profile balances the bitter edge of citron, the fresh herbal character of verbena, and the warm, resinous trail of Palo Santo.

It is a restrained and elegant drink, finishing with a remarkably clean balsamic quality.

Misto’s first official outing beyond its own walls showed a bar capable of engaging with a prestigious setting without compromising the technical and research-driven identity it has built for itself.

Its commitment to low-ABV drinking and intricately constructed recipes demonstrates how contemporary mixology can continue to push towards innovation and experimentation, transforming each sip into a small urban ritual.

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