Riga Hosts a Vibrant First Zero-Waste Cocktail Party

On Friday evening, 22 November, Mākonis Cocktails & Design bar hosted Absolut’s first zero-waste cocktail masterclass, during which local green-lifestyle enthusiasts learned the art of preparing sustainable drinks together with bartenders Oskars Smilga (Mākonis) and Rūdolfs Milzarājs (Herbārijs), using recycled ingredients. The focus of the event was the new Absolut Comeback bottle, made from 41% recycled glass, whose original design symbolically expresses the brand’s responsible-production philosophy. Highlighting this, a special glass-recycling container was also installed in the bar during the evening, and guests were invited to deposit the glass bottles they had brought with them.

In the introductory part of the masterclass, the engaging bartenders introduced guests to the zero-waste lifestyle, its main principles and broad applications in the bar industry, as well as Absolut’s sustainable-production philosophy, inviting everyone to try their hand at preparing and decorating their chosen cocktails. JFrom the very beginning, the philosophy of recycling raw materials has been the main value of the Swedish vodka brand Absolut, helping to reduce the amount of waste generated in everyday life by giving things a second life and serving as inspiration for a waste-reduction approach in Latvia’s bar scene as well.

Accordingly, the evening’s drinks menu included such unique cocktails as Marmalade MarTEAni, made with Absolut vodka infused with used black tea leaves, homemade orange marmalade, orange cordial and lemon juice, White Less Waste Russian, made with Absolut vodka infused with cascara tea, homemade coffee-ground liqueur and cardamom whipped cream, as well as Halloween Leftovers, a cocktail made with Absolut vodka, pumpkin and ginger-peel cordial, and sparkling water. All the drinks were inspired by Absolut Comeback cocktail recipes, which the skilled bartenders adapted using ingredients available in the bar and restaurant kitchen, giving them a second use.

After the masterclass had ended, guests were also invited to continue enjoying the zero-waste cocktail evening with special drinks and energetic musical beats performed by DJ Mixmeistars Raitis. Moreover, anyone who arrived at the event with a glass bottle and deposited it in the special Absolut container received an Absolut zero-waste cocktail.