If you are looking for cocktail bar that is intimate, welcoming, warm and central in Madrid, we are going to recommend you the perfect one with these characteristics in an authentic place: El Clásico. If you want to find it you simply need to go down some stairs (but not just any kind), as the emotion that comes with heading into a Speakeasy is very similar to the one that runs through your body as you go down the stairs to enter the Clandestino, a beautiful place with signature cocktails.

The brick walls, ambient music, several different areas within a single room, striking bottle rack in elegant pink bronze, and the friendliness of Álvaro Mar behind the bar dazzle, offering a clear invitation to enjoy a good experience…and, that is what we undoubtedly did.

Let´s talk about Álvaro, our host. The twists that life takes.

He is a diving instructor, he has travelled around the world a lot and that has broadened the range of his palate.

As a boy he admired cocktail making; his father had books about it and also at home they had a cabinet bar so we can imagine Álvaro playing with jiggers from an early age. His mother cooked and he also took an interest in that, although he realised that cocktail making interested him more.

By researching flavours and gastronomy abroad, his interest in the world of mixology increased therefore upon his return to Spain, he worked at well-known bars such as the Florida Retiro, and Tatel, where he put more of an emphasis on the creation of preparations such as foams, syrups, etc.

One day he was offered the chance to begin a new and inspiring project named “El Clandestino” which are talking about today and focussing our energy on. We want to congratulate him for this recent trajectory and also congratulate the entire team for such a good place and the amazing quality that they are offering to the catering industry.

As a signature and personal hallmark to end this report, we could not pass by without trying a signature cocktail created by Álvaro Mar for Jarabes Sanz. He liked the proposition and exuded talent, so easy.

He produced this great short, creamy, acidic, aromatic and slightly spicy drink, ideal for drinking after food, or during social evenings.

Enjoy!

-Monteverde-

• 50 Ml Talisker Storm
• 25 Ml lime juice
• 15 Ml Sanz Chilli Syrup
• 10 Ml Ancho Reyes Verde
• 0.5 Ml Sanz Blackberry Syrup
• 0.5 Ml Pine Liqueur
• 0.5 Ml Maraschino
• Top Mint Bitters
• Egg white
• Preparation: Beat all the ingredients with 4 ice cubes in the Boston Shaker, trying not to break the ice, remove all the ice when the cocktail shaker is cool and dry shake in order to finish emulsifying the egg, to obtain a good and thick foam.
• Double strain and finish with 3 little drops of mint bitters.
• Garnish: Bitter mint in a sprig and a dried sprig on wood.

You can find Álvaro on Calle Marqués Viudo de Pontejos 9, on the corner with Esparteros. Madrid.

Thanks a million!