Some sip cocktails. Others savor stories. At Atrium Bar inside the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, the two blend seamlessly, thanks to Sips of History, a visionary new drink list curated by Assistant F&B Manager Edoardo Sandri. This menu transforms the defining moments of the 19th century into eight masterful cocktails, distilling history into liquid form.
Each drink is an invitation to explore a revolutionary era through taste—whether it’s the gothic undertones of Dracula, the intellect of Sherlock Holmes, or the grandeur of Florence’s golden years as Italy’s capital. A sip of whiskey infused with warm spices evokes Victorian drama, while saffron notes whisper of a city at the height of its influence.
Sips of History: Eight Cocktails, One Journey Through Time
A sensory voyage through the 19th century, Sips of History captures a period of radical change, artistic revolutions, and cultural milestones. Designed by Sandri, the menu transforms each cocktail into a chapter of this unfolding story. “Our goal was to capture the essence of an era—its places, its people, and the legacy they left behind,” says Sandri. “By playing with flavors and contrasts, we’ve brought history to life in a way that still resonates today. Each cocktail is a doorway to the past, reinterpreted with a fresh, immersive, and captivating twist.”
The Cocktails of the Belle Époque
The experience opens with Folies Bergère, an ode to the Belle Époque. An unexpected combination of banana, almond, vodka, and a crisp white aperitif channels the same energy that pulsed through Parisian cafés and Florence’s Teatro della Pergola during that golden age.
Next is Yellow Kid, inspired by the avant-garde art of the period. A bold tequila base is softened by delicate almond and raspberry foam, creating a near-cinematic contrast. This cocktail is as much about form as it is about substance—just like the pioneering comic strip that lends it its name.
Literary Icons in a Glass
For those who appreciate a touch of mystery, Sherlock Holmes is the perfect companion. A structured gin meets a hint of cinchona bark, unraveling its flavors sip by sip, much like a cleverly solved case. Meanwhile, Dracula is pure, liquid intent. A fearless fusion of American whiskey and rum, laced with an intricate blend of spices, results in a brooding intensity that feels almost literary. The first sip is a bite—sharp and commanding—before unraveling into a complex, layered experience, much like Bram Stoker’s masterpiece. Impossible to resist.
Symbols of Transformation
With The Donut, the narrative takes an unexpected turn. Inspired by the concept of reinvention, this cocktail weaves together whiskey, chocolate, nutmeg, and a surprising hint of white pepper. Just as the doughnut’s signature hole was a later innovation, this drink proves that beauty can arise from absence—by redefining what is essential.
Meanwhile, La Lira offers a moment of reflection on Italy’s economic and cultural evolution. A mix of cognac and aquavit, infused with fresh basil and wormwood, represents the interplay between past and present. Much like the currency that shaped generations, this cocktail embodies both nostalgia and national identity in every sip.
Sips of History: A Tribute to Italian Heritage
The final two cocktails close the menu with a flourish: Firenze Capitale and La Locomotiva. The first is a liquid tribute to Florence’s brief yet significant reign as Italy’s capital. Coffee-infused vermouth melds with bitter liqueurs, while a touch of saffron lends a golden hue, echoing the prestige and cultural richness of the era. It’s a drink that captures a city in transformation—bridging the Renaissance and modern aspirations—where every toast symbolized a future as brilliant as gold.
Images courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
