Ben Rojo
New York, NY
About Ben Rojo
Ben Rojo is a bar operator and hospitality consultant based in New York City. Having haunted the East Village since his teenage years, he opened his own neighborhood bar, Black Emperor, in 2019. Previously, he launched the George Washington Bar at the Freehand NY as opening bar manager after spending years tending bar at Angel's Share.
Earth Angel
by Ben Rojo
45mL Sakura-casked Mugi Shochu (Barley), Mizu no Mai, Saga
90mL charred pineapple and Thai basil water (clarified juice)
5mL kokuto (black sugar) coconut syrup
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, then add ice. Shake vigorously to combine and aerate before straining into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a small leaf of fresh Thai basil.
Smouldering
by Ben Rojo
60ml Brown Butter-Washed Imo Shochu (Sweet Potato), Ikkomon
60ml houjicha (roasted green tea)
5ml natsume (jujube) honey
1 pinch sea salt
Add hot water to a teacup to warm, then discard. Combine all ingredients in the warmed vessel, stirring in the natsume honey last. Garnish with whole dried jujube and enjoy while hot.
