MAY 2024 – Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya is delighted to announce its partnership with Handshake, a legendary Mexican speakeasy recently recognized as #1 in World’s 50 Best’s “50 Best Bars in North America” in 2024. With this new collaboration, Bambuco, Maroma’s intimate and inviting cocktail lounge, brings elevated and creative mixology to the scene with exclusive signature cocktails designed by Handshake. In combination with this exciting new launch at Bambuco, Maroma has unveiled a bespoke mezcal with The Lost Explorer, exclusively crafted for Belmond by award-winning maestro mezcalero Fortino Ramos.

Recently unveiled in tandem with the much-anticipated reopening of Maroma, Bambuco is the perfect spot for a cocktail and small, tapas dishes set amongst lush tropical palms and playful Mexican interiors. Transporting guests to the storied bars of years past, Bambuco offers some of the most exclusive mezcals in Mexico, alongside a mezcal program offering rare bottles and specialty blends, coupled with expert mixologist knowledge. Bambuco is also dedicated to recycling and composting 100% of its products and ingredients. 

ABOUT HANDSHAKE

Widely acclaimed for their speakeasy cocktail bar in Mexico City, Handshake caters to a new generation of cocktail lovers seeking innovation combined with an intimate and extraordinary atmosphere. Their bars have their own unique spin on ‘crowd favorite’ cocktails, from adding brown butter mushroom to an Old Fashioned to incorporating mole and sesame into a Michter’s Manhattan. Handshake is also known for its collaboration with Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, San Miguel Allende on Tunki Rooftop by Handshake, which opened in 2023. Elevated ingredients, high doses of creativity, and careful attention to detail are the hallmarks that have made Handshake one of the most celebrated names in Mexico’s mixology scene, which Maroma's guests will now be able to experience firsthand at Bambuco. 

CREATIVE MIXOLOGY

Bambuco’s expertly crafted cocktails will delight the senses, with highlights include the sweet and savory ‘Tomato Is A Fruit’, with Blanco Tequila, Strawberry, Tomato and Coconut, and ‘White Palo Santo Negroni’, a bittersweet aperitif featuring Mezcal Union, Campari, Palo Santo, and Cocchi Americano. Guests can also opt for one of Bambuco’s herbal sips; the fruity, sweet ‘Smoked Basil’ comprises of Rosita Tahona Mezcal, Basil, Lime, Whey and Black Pepper, while the ‘Bergamot’ offers patrons a crisp, citrusy alternative with Belvedere Vodka, Earl Grey Tea, Lemon, Whey and Soda.

In addition, Maroma has partnered with renowned Mexican mezcal producer The Lost Explorer, to launch a bespoke blend, Mezcal Tobasiche, available exclusively for Maroma guests. Handcrafted in Oaxaca, The Lost Explorer is made within the rhythm of nature, under environmentally and socially conscious production standards. Through this partnership, Belmond worked hand in hand with mezcal master Don Fortino Ramos and The Lost Explorer team to craft this unique mezcal, hand-selecting a rare agave that can only be found in the mountains of Sol de Vega, Oaxaca. After determining the agaves with the greatest richness and maturity for production, the blend was then bottled via Fortino’s distinct distillation process and sealed with natural biodegradable wax by hand by the family of the master distiller.

Featuring tasting notes of caramel, tobacco, grapefruit peel and leather, The Lost Explorer Mezcal Tobasiche will present a dedicated design featuring curved lines that reflect the hotel’s unique architecture. Mezcal Tobasiche will also be incorporated into a selection of Bambuco’s brand-new cocktails. Led by Maroma’s Head Mixologist Ximena Moreno, ‘Solteco,’ will comprise of Watermelon, Chili syrup, and Citrus; ‘Mestizo’ will showcase Tio Pepe Palomino Fino Sherry, Mezcal Distilled Macadamia, and Vanilla; and ‘Rosita,’ will feature Lillet Blanc and Strawberry.

Bambuco is open daily from 6pm to 12am. For more information, please visit www.belmond.com/maroma.