Italian bitters have become a standard in the world's leading bars. Some of the largest brands in this category have their origin in the region around Milan. It was there that Ausano Ramazzotti introduced in 1815 a gentle blend of roots, herbs and alcohol: the Amaro Ramazzotti. In 1848 Ausano started serving his creation in his own coffee bar near Milan's La Scala and Ramazzotti established itself within a few years as one of the most popular bitters brands in Italy.

The soft taste of Ramazzotti is based on a mixture of a total of 33 secret ingredients. Six of these are traceable even by the less experienced drinkers: orange peel , gentian, cinnamon, oregano, rhubarb and cinchona bark. One of the most successful export markets for the amaro with its distinctive red label is Germany. Reason for Ramazzotti to showcase the trends of a German metropolis to restaurateurs and bar-owners throughout the world.

Cocktail legend Simon Difford, who participated in Bar Convent Berlin this year, has relaunched his online platform Digital Diffords Guide.

Next to announcing a new cocktail book named "Cocktails Made Easy" (which obviously is more aimed at the consumer) there's a nice article about cocktail bars in Berlin. The credit card quote is true by the way. It did happen to me many times that I had to head out into the dark streets of unknown Berlin districts to find an ATM machine, when diving into a great cocktail night by surprise.

The best rating by Simon was given to cocktail bar Becketts Kopf. Cristina and Oliver, who run this Prenzlauer Berg joint, did also win our Mixoloy Bar Award 2008 for "Best Bar Team" by the way.

Link:

We at Mixology moved to our current address in summer 2005. When we were looking for office space to bury our start-up status, we decided for the Eastern part of Kreuzberg. The area known as "Wrangekiez" has a very laid back feel to it. Over the last 2 years the number of bars and restaurants here in Schlesische Strasse has grown significantly. More and more tourists visit the area and the nightlife has been booming as well, with a number of well-known clubs and concert venues close by.

Mixology magazine's author David Wiedemann who runs the Bar Academy SageCocktails informed me yesterday, that he has taken over Reingold Bar in Berlin together with Mario Grünenfelder. Mario is head barman of Tausend Bar and was elected "Mixologist of the Year" at the Mixology Bar Awards 2007.

Reingold is a beautiful, classic Bar in Berlin's central district Mitte. The new owners plan to carefully adapt the place to their new concept that will include bar food.

The official re-opening will be in September. They plan to open their bar from wednesday to saturday at the beginning. Visitors attending the Bar Convent Berlin in September will already be able to check out their beverage profile.

Reingold Bar

Novalistr. 11

10115 Berlin

The only English reviews of Reingold I know of, are available at infamous Worlds Best Bars. The last entry dates from 2005 though.