Cocktails in Paris

New menu at Danico, The last Xplorer

A Flavourful Journey to Peru

The latest menu in Danico’s Xplorer series has arrived, and it’s set to delight our taste buds!

Danico, the bar at the Daroco Bourse restaurant, is a staple on the Parisian and international scene. Co-founded by Nico de Soto in 2016 and managed by Corentin Gaudin, this bar is renowned for its excellence and constant innovation.

The key to Danico’s success lies in the hard work of its team and impeccable organization, which has propelled them among the best bars in the world (#49 in the 2024 50b Bars ranking and Best International Restaurant Bar for Tales of the Cocktails). Their ability to continually renew and improve is truly remarkable.

After exploring Indonesia, Mexico, Japan, and India, Danico’s team now takes us to Peru, the land of the Incas and the famous pisco sour. Danico’s Xplorer menus continue to surprise and improve, offering a genuine taste experience.

The Xplorer menu consists of 1 flip, 2 milk punches, 2 dry, 2 high balls, 1 or 2 sours, and 2 freestyles. There’s something for everyone, with a commitment to faithfully representing local ingredients, dishes, and drinks, taking us on a journey through unique flavours.

For this menu, the team faced several challenges, including gathering information in advance to start working on the menu before traveling. Each year, several team members travel to work on the research and development of the menu, with some clues about local culinary customs in mind.

Upon their return, the challenge was to find the products in France, as the ingredients used are fresh. Reproducing these flavours without Peruvian ingredients was a real challenge, but Danico’s team was ready to tackle it to offer us an unforgettable experience.

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The first cocktail on the menu is a pisco sour, but an even better one (a must-try)!

MACHU PICCHU: Pisco, corn liqueur, caramelized popcorn, lime, corn syrup, corn salt.

Inspired by a local drink made from purple corn (maiz morado), a refreshing cocktail that reminds us of mulled wine:

CHICHA MORADA: Grey Goose Vodka, Chicha Morada, rectified apple juice.

A smoky milk punch with pandan!! What could top that!! #pandanforlife

VISCACHA: Monkey Shoulder Whisky, Laphroaig Quarter Cask Whisky, pandan, almonds, plantain banana juice, palm sugar, lemon, coconut milk.

For G&T lovers:

DEATH ROAD: Hendrick’s Gin infused with marigold, Gentian, Martini Ambrato, Matacuy Liqueur, passion berry, tonic.

For spicy cocktail lovers, inspired by a traditional Peruvian drink that usually accompanies ceviches:

LECHE DE TIGRE: Citadelle Gin, ceviche distillate, coconut oil, lime, yellow pepper, coriander.

For negroni lovers:

DOMINGO AL CHIFA: Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum, lacquered duck spice blend, red vermouth, Campari, hoisin sauce, Inca bitters.

The drink that might surprise you in this menu, inspired by a Peruvian soda:

INCA KOLA: Pisco infused with lemon verbena, Fino Sherry, lemongrass cordial, yellow pepper.

One of my favourite cocktails, for lovers of indulgent old fashioneds:

TORITO DE PUCARA: Woodford Reserve Bourbon, cocoa, blackcurrant, earth pear syrup, orange and lucuma bitters.

The flip on the menu, I’m a fan:

TUPÁNANCHISKAMA: Bacardi 8 Rum infused with tonka bean, roasted coffee distillate, Peruvian rice pudding, chancaca sugar syrup, whole egg.

Another one of my favorite cocktails, an extraordinary milk punch:

TITICACA: Remy Martin VSOP Cognac, pumpkin seeds, “Picarones” spice blend, fig leaf, pumpkin, lemon, milk infused with grilled sweet potato.

For martini lovers, but a rather sweet one:

COCO & THE LAMA: Sake, oyster sauce distillate, St-Germain, Muña, pickled tomato, red miso.

Another milk punch with a barley foam garnish:

MÁNCORA: Plantation 3 Stars Rum, toasted barley distillate, passion fruit, “Emoliente” spice blend, coconut water, lime, whole milk. (and the Inca Kola)

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To conclude, a comforting menu with perfectly balanced cocktails. The amount of preparation that goes into each cocktail is worth it.

Fun illustrations and educational texts as a bonus. A solid concept both in substance and form that reassures regular customers and remains easily accessible to occasional guests.

At first glance, I felt like this was one of their best menus in terms of cocktails. I personally found the drinks to be individually incredible, and the whole menu was coherent and introducing us to new favourite flavours for the cherry on top.

Danico remains the bar I always recommend in Paris and I’m happy to see that I still agree with myself!! Don’t hesitate to try the bar food; eating is not cheating, and you would be missing out on the best pizza in the world!! #pizzaislife

Spoiler alert: the next menu will be a special edition that will take us on a slightly shorter journey, but I’m sure it will delight us just as much!

See you soon Danico ^^

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