The St. Regis’s Zuma—which actually doesn’t belong to the hotel but is just using the space—has launched a new cocktail menu, Japanese Garden, and it will make you feel like you’re sitting in a zen garden with its minimalism and umami sub-notes.

 

The mastermind behind this menu is the Italian Davide Sambo, formerly Soho Hospitality (people behind Havana Social, Above Eleven, Cantina, Yankii). There are eight drinks on this new menu, B480 each, all classics with a Japanese twist.

 

A good drink to start is the tall, earthy, and refreshingly herbal Sagano Highball that is Jameson, Lillet Blanc, soba sherry sochu, salted thai dessert, and with the scent of greenery.

 

Also, try the Matsuri Martini, mixing sakura mancino vermouth (pro tip: ask Sambo about his Japanese vermouth collection), Beefeater 24 gin, three ways of sakura, and silky flower tea yogurt. The drink is smooth, floral, easy to drink, and with a vermouth taste.

 

For a nicely balanced umami and tropical taste, go for the Kanto Southside—The Botanist gin, mezcal, cacao, purple banana miso, and umami sea botanicals.