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 sound comes first - the soft thud of a well-struck ball, rising into a clear blue Sicilian sky. Ahead, fairways unfold in undulating greens towards the blue calm of the Mediterranean. The air is warm, perfumed with orange blossom and sea salt. There’s no rush, only a meditative rhythm: swing, step, breathe and repeat, interrupted only by the sound of waves.
With heritage placed firmly in its heart, it is little wonder that Rocco Forte Hotels chose to partner with FAI. Both share a deep commitment to Italian ancestry, inviting you to slow down and uncover the deeper meaning behind the places you visit.
