Are you in Athens, Greece? If yes – or if you plan to visit – don’t forget to stop by Mary Lane – a recent addition to the city’s Food & Beverage landscape and the latest Queen of Stuff-approved hangout.
THIRSTY? SCROLL RIGHT DOWN TO THE NEGRONI RECIPE
The new “it” Coffee shop cum pocket-Bar is the brainchild of Maria Katsamagou who, after a decorated stretch as manager at some of the city’s sleekest hotspots, decided to add her own creative signature to the mix. The core concept is simple: Quality coffee & drinks to go or consume in. The implementation, not simple at all.
The tiny shop boasts single-origin specialty coffees to enjoy on the spot, take out or have delivered (if you are situated nearby). The beverage collection is complimented with a “curated” selection of sweet & savory snacks, catered by vetted independent suppliers. From energy bars, to quiche lorraine, to carrot cake, everything is homemade and prepared daily with extra care.
The magic is in the details: Mary Lane has an earth-friendly philosophy. This extends way beyond the organic ingredients used in the preparation of the edibles. Sustainability is a goal. Even the take-away cocktail glasses are biodegradable and you will not spot a plastic bag in sight.
Here is where it gets really interesting though: Mary Lane offers a comprehensive list of -seriously premium- cocktails and specialty drinks (that you can also savor on the spot or on the go) moreover, at very friendly prices. It starts at just 4€ for an Aperol Spritz, and tops at 6.50€ for the more complex Tommy’s Margarita or Hot Buttered Rum (yum in both cases).
I am not much of a Negroni fan but Mary Lane converted me to the Italian classic. Not surprisingly, it is one of the most popular asks on the list. I was intrigued enough to ask for the recipe and – naturally wonderful- Maria was kind enough to provide.
Mary Lane’s Negroni recipe
Negroni is a straightforward cocktail – it is hard to really mess it up. Can you make it as tasty as Mary Lane’s though?
All you have to do is try and find out.
INGREDIENTS
- 30 ml Campari
- 30 ml Gin (preferrably Beefeater)
- 30 ml Sweet Vermouth (preferrably Carpano Rosso)
- Orange peel
- (duh) Ice
HOW TO
In a mixing glass, combine the ingredients, add ice and stir well.
Ideally you will be using a block of ice, but if this is not possible ice cubes will do fine. Again, if you don’t have a proper mixing glass, use any container you have handy.
Add more ice to a (-n old fashioned) glass, strain your mix into it and garnish with a twisted orange peel (you can use a vegetable peeler for this).
If you feel like taking things to the next level, burn the orange peel over the glass until it releases its oil. Boom!
Cin Cin
P.S.: Mary Lane is open Monday to Friday, 08:00-23:00, Saturdays 08:00-01:00 & stays closed on Sundays. Although conveniently located at the heart of the Athenian center, the shop is somewhat hard to find if you don’t know your streets (i.e. google-map it, don’t expect to run into it).
Visit its facebook page for more info & inspiration.
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A lifetime supply of Negronis for the Queen courtesy of Mary Lane. If you like cocktails and ever make it to Bath, UK, then you will enjoy http://www.thebathgincompany.co.uk/the-canary-gin-bar/
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Looks like a place to visit Peter! Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
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