Episode 2 – CLASSIC+MODERN with Takuma Watanabe
Pairs to New York, one way. The second episode of The Grand Encounter, the exclusive mini-series by Grand Marnier, takes you to the Big Apple, where host Carina Soto Velasquez meets Takuma Watanabe: a movie-enthusiast and thorough researcher, Watanabe opened up his own venue in 2022, Martiny’s in Gramercy, immediately conquering New York through spotless hospitality and utmost attention to details.
The episode, modern+classic, sees Watanabe discussing the importance of classic drinks, as an essential element for contemporary bartending, just like Grand Marnier combines past, present and future in its recipe. As Takuma remembers his upbringing: “Classics are very important to me: my father worked at an hotel bar in Japan and I used to drink their cocktails and feel like wow, this is history”.
Follow Velasquez and Watanabe to embark on a journey that will take you from Japan to the United States, whilst exploring tradition that from the Far East have now been exported everywhere in the world like ice carving, and never forgetting how yesterday and tomorrow are intertwined: as Watanabe states, “If you can’t make good classics, you can’t go further with signature drinks”.
| Orangetini by Takuma Watanabe 45ml / 1,5 oz Earl Grey infused gin 20ml / 0.7 oz Grand Marnier 20ml / 0.7 oz Dry Vermouth 10ml / 0.3 oz Cacao Liqueur 2 dashes Peychaud bitter Garnish: Orange slice dipped in chocolate Pour all the ingredients into a mixing glass over ice. Mix for at least 45 seconds to ensure the drink is well diluted. Strain into a martini glass. Spray the orange peel on the glass and garnish with a slice of orange dipped in chocolate. |
Last step before flying to Episode 3: tasting Takuma’s Orangetini, his own twist on a classic Martini (well, of course!).
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