This year’s Prague–Brno Cocktail Week wasn’t just about individual bars, but about carefully curated menus and the products featured in them, presented in various interpretations. During one bar crawl, we visited several venues, sampled their signature cocktails, and observed how brands such as Citadelle 0.0, Planteray, and Nikka were making their mark across the scene. The result was a comprehensive picture of contemporary bar work – precise, confident, and consistent.
From coconut to figs: a bar tour in the rhythm of ingredients
We begin our bar tour at L'Fleur Bar, which approached this year’s Cocktail Week with the ambition of creating a fully fledged menu. And it was evident from the very first sip. The combination of Planteray rum in the form of Plantation Cut & Dry with clear pineapple juice, coconut water, and soda created a drink that was light yet layered. The coconut and salt dusting at the end served as a subtle yet precise detail that elevated the whole experience.
Round two: mango, caramel, and Planteray 3 Stars Rum. Here, it was all about working with texture. Cordials, spices, acids, and a foam made from Vegg White, banana, and caramel created a complex, almost dessert-like drink that, however, never lost its drinkability. And then came the combination of vanilla, peach, and Plantation Pineapple – sweeter, rounder, but still firmly rooted in the concept.
The most interesting moment, however, came with the combination of figs and basil based on Citadelle Gin and fig soda. The umami olive was precisely the moment when you realise that lightness can also have gastronomic depth.
And then – a smooth transition to non-alcoholic options: Citadelle 0.0 combined with mandarin and bergamot. Clean, precise, uncompromising.
A quick trip to Bugsy’s Bar confirmed that non-alcoholic mixology is no longer just an afterthought. The Citadelle 0.0-based long drink was elegant, balanced, and, above all, a drink in its own right. At that moment, it became clear that this very product was becoming the new leitmotif of the entire evening.
The next stop, B21 Cocktail Bar at the Allure Hotel, offered perhaps the purest interpretation. The venue, the service, and the drinks themselves all exuded confidence and a contemporary feel. The non-alcoholic cocktail based on Citadelle 0.0 was among the best we tasted all evening – precise, structured, with no sense that anything was missing. On the contrary, the foam on top was perfect. Alongside it, Botran No. 12 Reserva Superior rum also stood out, bringing depth and a classic, authentic rum profile to the next drink.
From the rooftop to Tokyo: a finale with a view and a Japanese touch
Casablanca Sky Bar Prague offered a change of perspective – quite literally. The view of the city complemented a menu centred on distinctive spirits and aromatics. Fassbind, in the form of aged fruit spirits, dominated the pear and apricot, while Chinola brought tropical freshness. Dragon fruit combined with Mermaid Gin then showed what modern rooftop mixology can look like.
And once again: a non-alcoholic option. A Pitay-crash based on Citadelle 0.0. Zero alcohol, full vibe. This time, not as an alternative, but once again as a fully fledged part of the concept.
The finale of our bar tour was at AnonymouS Bar, where the bar scene connected on an international level. A guest shift from Sips Barcelona brought a Japanese touch from the Nikka brand to Prague. A Better Old Fashioned with Nikka From the Barrel was a demonstration of precise work with a classic, while Good Vibes Only with Nikka Coffey Gin added lightness and aroma.
The biggest surprise? A clear Espresso Martini made with Nikka Vodka. Technically clean, full of flavour. And the closing “I swear it’s not a Mojito” only confirmed that playfulness and precision are not mutually exclusive.
There was no shortage of non-alcoholic options here either: the Villain cocktail, based on Citadelle 0.0, brought the evening to a close with the certainty that this product is not a trend, but an integral part of the current bar scene.
This year’s Prague–Brno Cocktail Week showcased more than just the individual bars. It demonstrated the scene’s ability to work with products across venues, creating a common language while retaining its own distinctive style. And it was Citadelle 0.0 that became its most compelling symbol – not as a substitute, but as a fully fledged player that connects, complements, and makes sense.
