This Masterful Mixologist Brings a Taste of Italy to St. Martin

Meet Alessandro Corona: voted the Best Mixologist in the last St. Martin Gastronomy Festival: the French side's premier culinary event that draws foodies and celebrity chefs worldwide.

Hailing from Italy, Alessandro Corona has retained his love for limoncello and coffee. He made it into the finals of last year's Gastronomy Festival by creating cocktails with exactly these ingredients, along with local Gouverneur rum and local sorrel.

“Upon arriving in the Caribbean, I discovered extraordinary aromas.” Alessandro Corona wasn’t initially destined to work as a mixologist. At the age of 18, he flew to London to learn English and stumbled on the world of hospitality. After later spending three years in Australia, the young bartender landed in Guadeloupe. “That’s where my career truly took off. I had the opportunity to work alongside an experienced bartender who taught me a lot. And then, I discovered the flavours of rum.”

For Alessandro, mixology is about blending and experimentation. “Sometimes you think that combining two ingredients could never work, but you mix them, and a unique result emerges.” In the final round of last year’s competition, I created a cocktail that aged Longueteau Symphony rum, port wine, homemade syrup with tonic beans and a few drops of bitter essence.” The result enchanted the judges.

Alessandro continues to surprise. “The real challenge for a bartender is the non-alcoholic cocktails. You have to be able to amaze even though it’s more difficult without the wide choice of alcohol.” Thus, the mixologist innovates and invites creativity regardless of the composition of his cocktail.

Cheers to Alessandro! If you are in St. Martin, be sure to visit Le Pressoir restaurant in Grand-Case! @lepressoirsxm