Hagtap Holiday Drinks: Buon Natale, at Porta

Strolling down Newark Avenue, on your left hand side you will notice an elegantly designed, rustic exterior to the Porta restaurant. Automatically I was drawn to this unique, dimly lit, Italian spot.

Walking into Porta, I felt instantly welcomed. It’s interior is full of raw and exposed details, such as open ceilings and uncovered walls. The extremely friendly and attentive hostesses greeted me with a smile and were more than happy to introduce to me to their mixologist, Sammy Gilmete.

I waited for Sammy to conjure up all the needed ingredients such as candy cane and chocolate liqueur. He created a unique, and strong, chocolaty holiday drink just for Hagtap, called Buon Natale! (Merry Christmas in Italian).

Buon Natale

Sammy Gilmete, mixologist at Porta, soaks the martini glass in syrup and coats the rim with crushed candy cane. Using a mini torch, he roasts the lavender marshmallow that sits right on top the Buon Natale.

From left to right: Old Forester Whiskey, Fernet Branca Liquor, Silvio Meletti Liqueur, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur

— Crushed Candy Cane

— House-made Lavender Marshmallow

— Hershey Chocolate Syrup

— Godiva Chocolate Liqueur

— Old Forester Whiskey

— Silvio Meletti Liqueur

— Fernet Branca Liqueur

— A Splash of Cream