The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2024 - Issue 36

bitedrinks T he combination of expertly crafted cocktails and music profoundly affects our senses. Music can influence how we perceive flavours, with upbeat tunes enhancing the sweetness and melancholy melodies, making drinks taste more bitter. The right playlist can elevate the drinking experience, creating a harmonious blend of taste and sound that enhances the overall enjoy- ment. Therefore, cocktails and music create a multisensory experience that delights the senses. During the lockdown in 2020, siblings Antosh and Nata- sha Samek sought to fill the void left by closed bars and of- fer high-quality cocktails that people could enjoy at home. They wanted to create a brand that provides delicious drinks and enhances the overall experience with the perfect music pairing. Thanks to Antosh, a DJ, they successfully fused the art of mixology with the power of music to bring people a unique and memorable experience. Previously, the duo had been filling glasses and dance floors for years at the helm of an award-winning bar in Marlow. They realised people were craving the experience of a night out while staying at home. "With the dance floor and glasses empty, we needed a way to get the music and cocktails to people's homes. Our bar quality premixed bottled cocktails, and accompanying playlists are hand mixed by us for our bespoke recipes, perfected over years of experience and ex- perimentation." Rythmik Cocktails takes music as seriously as their cock- tails. "Having hosted the likes of Norman Jay MBE, Jazzie B OBE, DJ Yoda, and even SG Lewis (just before he became a global phenomenon), we believe cocktails taste better with the right music. We spend hours listening to our favour- ite genres of music: disco, funk, soul, hip-hop and house, discovering new tracks or unearthing old gems to be given another play. Our playlists bring the vibe to your Rythmik Cocktails experience." Their premixed bottled cocktails include classics like Ne- groni, Old Fashioned, and Espresso Martini and unique creations like Pampelita Margarita and It's A LondonThing. The Marlow Negroni consists of Marlow Gin mixed with bitter Campari and sweet vermouth. It's best served cold over ice, garnished with an orange while listening to their funky disco playlist. "Close your eyes and imagine yourself on a sunny terrace in the early evening sipping a glass of The Marlow Negroni, enjoying the DJ’s laid-back disco vibes." Rum Old Fashioned is made from Mount Gay Black Barrel, a rum from Barbados matured in American Whiskey casks and finished in charred Bourbon casks. It's gently infused with orange zest before it's mixed with golden sugar and bitters. Serve extremely cold over ice and garnished with a dried orange wheel or orange zest. "For us, it takes the complexity and smoothness of an old-fashioned bourbon and adds the joy and vibrancy of the Caribbean. Throw in our jazzy, funky playlist, and you’re on your way to a party." Images courtesy of Rythmik Cocktails