Salmuera launches new cocktail menu With old acquaintance behind the bar

26 Jun Salmuera launches new cocktail menu With old acquaintance behind the bar

This year they celebrate their fifth anniversary. The Amsterdam restaurant Salmuera has become a household name for lovers of South and Central American food. But they are at least as well known for their extensive bar where Mexican distillates are particularly prominent on the menu. Since the end of last year, the restaurant has also been reinforced by none other than Martin Eisma, former head bartender of Bluespoon Bar. And things are moving fast, because there is now also a new cocktail menu. The cocktail above is the (Sal’s) Old Fashioned. Photo credits to Silja Summanen. “Basically my idea with this card was to get as much creativity, unique processes and flavours as possible in a clear card.” A card that is easy to read, with recognisable names, for guests who are not very familiar with cocktails and at the same time very challenging and innovative for the seasoned cocktail experts. Six cocktails, that can still be adjusted to personal wishes and named after the classic they are inspired by. “On the card we only put 3 descriptive words for the flavour profile per cocktail and below that 3 key flavours/ingredients to give people an idea of what to expect. Instead of confusing people with all the ingredients and an abundance of information that only a few people can do anything with.”

Now, that’s what we like. A well-thought-out menu without forgetting the ‘ordinary’ person. A menu that seems very simple on the front, but that is exceptionally ingenious on the back. For example, many kitchen techniques are used to create flavours. Drinks are vacuum-packed with various other ingredients and then cooked sous vide. Each flavour is analysed and adjusted to perfectly match the cocktail for which it was developed. As an example, Martin mentions a clear grapefruit juice, made with the acidity of a lime and therefore has a long shelf life. With this menu, and with it the new concept of the bar, the team focuses on a number of values that characterise Salmuera: playfulness (call it a wink), respect for ingredients, heritage and sustainability. For example, the Paloma, the ultimate Mexican cocktail according to Eisma, is a homage to corn. This is namely the first crop created by man. This cocktail contains a cordial of grapefruit, dill and burnt corn. Incidentally, you will also find that corn in their divine ceviche! Other well-known cocktails on the menu are the Boulevardier (Perfumado), (Sal’s) Old Fashioned, (Kosho) Colada, (Holy Mole) Espresso Martini and the (Holistic) Gin Sour. Each cocktail has been given a special treatment. The Boulevardier, the winter cousin of the Negroni, contains a sous-vide infusion of Porcini mushrooms and olive oil that is then frozen to remove the fat. The cocktail is given one last addition at the table, namely a homemade edible perfume. This is also the garnish of the cocktail with mezcal, sandalwood and patchouli. We would like to leave something for Martin to tell you at the bar or at the table. So you better just visit Salmuera (on the Rozengracht!) soon for food and drinks. Salmuera – 020 – 624 5752 Rozengracht 106