An iconic landmark in St. Petersburg, for over a century the Hotel Astoria has embodied the sophistication and opulence of Imperial Russia and its proud history. 24 hours a day, the softly-lit Lichfield Bar offers a range of delectable drinks featuring typically Russian ingredients, the newest of them our signature cocktail, the Birch Spritz.
An unofficial symbol of Russia the birch tree, or bereza, is heralded in song, art and literature and its sweet sap is the key ingredient in this brand-new cocktail. Created by Head Bartender Mr. Daniil Minchin to pay homage to a tree synonymous with purity and light, the Birch Spritz is both refreshing and uplifting.
Ingredients
20ml Beluga Noble vodka
20ml lemon juice
20ml sugar syrup
80ml Prosecco
100ml Birch juice
A redcurrant raceme
Method
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the Beluga Noble vodka, lemon juice, sugar syrup and birch juice and shake well.
Add ice cubes to a glass. Strain the shaken cocktail mixture over the ice.
Top up the glass with Prosecco, and garnish with a redcurrant raceme for effect.
To book a table in the Lichfield Bar at Hotel Astoria, please email reservations.astoria@roccofortehotels.com or call +7 812 494 5770.
Vivacious, glamorous, powerful. Few figures encapsulate the effortless grandeur of the Belle Époque quite like Donna Franca, our Sicilian muse. Famed for her petite frame, thick dark hair and an exquisite fashion sense that has endured for over a century, Franca was the epitome of an era that placed beauty and high fashion at its forefront.
The festive season brings its own kind of sparkle - a flurry of celebrations, feasts, and time with those who matter most. To make gifting simple, we’ve curated a selection of bespoke experiences to delight everyone on your list. From candlelit dinners and Italian wine tastings to tranquil spa escapes and moments devoted to yourself, each experience thoughtfully crafted to offer moments of joy.
In a time when beauty shaped every facet of life — from the curve of a staircase to the vivid bloom of a painted iris — Italy’s Stile Liberty captured the optimism of a new century. Across Europe in the late 19th century, the Belle Époque blurred the line between art and the everyday, celebrating craftsmanship, elegance, and expressive freedom. Now, a new cultural itinerary, From Mucha to Florio, traces that movement between Hotel de la Ville in Rome and Villa Igiea in Palermo, two different cities, two glorious expressions of the same artistic impulse.
