Nostalgia
Semi-Final Cocktail by our Chef de Bar Daniele Biondo for the Diageo World Class Competition.
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About Daniele Biondo
Born and raised in Palermo, Italy, Daniele Biondo discovered his passion for the bar industry in 2016. After studying at the Mixology Academy in Milan, he embarked on a journey that took him across different locations, refining his skills and gaining international experience.
Three years ago, he moved to Switzerland, where he first worked at Baur au Lac before joining IGNIV Zurich as Chef de Bar.
For Daniele, mixology is an art form – each cocktail tells a story, evoking emotions, memories, and unique sensations. He has a deep appreciation for agave-based spirits, particularly Tommy’s Margarita, but enjoys experimenting with unusual ingredients and innovative techniques to create fresh interpretations of classic drinks.
His approach to bartending is driven by several key elements:
The art of pairing – crafting the perfect (non-alcoholic) drink to complement a dish or a moment at the 2 Michelin-starred restaurant IGNIV by Andreas Caminada.
Hospitality – creating an inviting atmosphere that makes guests feel at home.
Experimentation – exploring new flavors through spices, infusions, fermentation, and aging.
Reinventing classics – giving historic cocktails a modern twist.
When developing new recipes, Daniele draws inspiration from seasonal ingredients, personal experiences, and guest preferences. He meticulously balances flavors, refines techniques, and ensures that every cocktail is both a delight to taste and a visual masterpiece.
Follow Daniele’s journey with World Class on his Instagram @danibiondo21.
About “Nostalgia”
“Nostalgia” is more than just a cocktail it’s an emotion, a journey through time. It’s a tribute to the memories that shape us, a bridge between past and present. My inspiration always comes at night, driven by deep feelings.
Emotions are the essence of life, and nostalgia takes me back to my childhood, to moments spent with my grandmother, a remarkable woman who taught me the value of simplicity and sustainability.
Like a true Italian nonna, she understood the importance of avoiding waste long before it became a trend. She preserved food with care, transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary dishes. My inspiration come from her dessert as simple as ingenious: a salad of cherry tomatoes and prickly pear. She blended flavors in an intuitive way, creating something both delicious and sustainable.”
With “Nostalgia”, I invite you to step into the warmth of a Sicilian summer evening. The air is filled with the scent of ripening fruits, the sky is orange light. A sip of this drink transports you back to my childhood, beside my grandmother as she prepared her special salad.
Black Label adds smoky depth, while the fermented tepache of cherry tomatoes and prickly pear brings a lively freshness. The homemade cherry tomato liqueur adds umami, perfectly complemented by a crispy sustainable chip. Sparkling, refreshing, deep, and unique, each sip celebrates warmth, tradition, and unforgettable memories all in a glass.
Salute, cheers, and viva!
Ingredients:
Black label
Cherry Tomato liquor
Mediterranean Tepache
(cherry tomato and fermented prickly pear)
bubbles
About World Class
The DIAGEO World Class Cocktail Competition is one of the most prestigious global bartending contests, designed to celebrate and elevate the craft of mixology. Organized by DIAGEO, a leading spirits company, the competition challenges bartenders from around the world to showcase their creativity, technique, and knowledge of premium spirits.
Participants compete in regional and national rounds, with winners advancing to the World Class Global Finals. The event not only highlights innovation in cocktail-making but also provides a platform for bartenders to gain international recognition and career growth.
About Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker is one of the world's most iconic Scotch whisky brands, known for its rich history and exceptional blends. Established in Scotland in the early 19th century, the brand has become synonymous with quality and craftsmanship.
Johnnie Walker Black Label is a premium blended Scotch whisky, aged for at least 12 years, offering a smooth, complex flavor profile. It is renowned for its deep, smoky character, balanced with notes of rich fruits, vanilla, and a hint of spice. A favorite among whisky enthusiasts, Black Label embodies the signature depth and sophistication of Johnnie Walker’s blending expertise.