Though the weather is improving in the UK, it doesn’t stop me wanderlusting; and last week sunning myself on beautiful beaches of the Algarve was on my mind. I had been invited down to one of my favourite hotels, The Conrad St James, to sample bespoke cocktails created by Wilson Pires, head mixologist at The Conrad Algarve.
Wilson believes it’s incredibly important to be creative when it comes to making cocktails as the food and beverage experience really influences a person’s overall time in a hotel. I know it does for me, good food and drink is of the utmost importance to me whilst staying in a hotel. It was this dedication to creating new and exciting cocktails that led Wilson to be named Portugal’s best bar man, making it past three qualifying rounds.
I asked Wilson his favourite drink and despite his passion for cocktails he told me that he prefers to relax with a glass of wine, for a break from the mixed drinks.
Cocktails aside, the GM of the Conrad Algarve also told me a bit about the hotel which is built to resemble an 18th century palace, home to one of Europe’s most luxurious spas and near six different golf courses.
As the cocktails were served we enjoyed some perfect pairings with a selection of canapes…
The perfect way to welcome a taste of the Algarve to London.
Conrad Algarve
Estrada da Quinto do Lago
Almancil
Algarve
Portugal
