A Tipple with a Local Spin: Potions of the Philippines at Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila's Vu's Bar

Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila and Asian Dragon Magazine recently unveiled Philippine-inspired cocktails at Vu's Sky Bar and Lounge in celebration of Filipino Food Month. In a novel collaboration inspired by Destileria Limtuaco's line of Philippine spirits, guests to the exclusive event sampled four soothing and creative cocktail creations with one selected as Vu's "Potion of the Quarter" based on votes. Here's a peek at the wicked potions for your next tipple at magic hour...

Located at the 45th floor of Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila, Vu's Sky Bar and Lounge offers both indoor and spacious al fresco areas with panoramic views of the cityscape...

...and it's the perfect setting for soothing cocktails at magic hour (for more on Vu's Sky Bar and Lounge, see my previous post, Before Sunset: Aperitivo at Vu's Sky Bar and Lounge from 2017). Surrounded by panoramic glass walls and a wide open al fresco area with unrestricted views of the skyline, enjoy a refreshing change of scene with a soothing cocktail 45 floors above the metro.

Vu's Sky Bar and Lounge has been one of Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila's popular attractions and with the gradual easing of quarantine restrictions, a return visit is in order. The featured "Potion of the Quarter" with its Filipino-inspired notes is more than enough reason to come back... 

...and the views high up the 45th floor makes your late afternoon tipple even more memorable. Tempting potions with a cool local twist at magic hour, it just doesn't get better than this. 

"Celebrating the flavors of the Philippines is one of our passions at the Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila. Our partnership with Asian Dragon Magazine and Destileria Limtuaco allows us to cast a meaningful spotlight on how versatile and world-class we can be as a gastronomic destination," shared Colin Healy, General Manager of the Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila. "Being named after the famed global explorer, Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila continues to strengthen the "spirit of discovery" in all of us. We look forward to sharing even more of what it means to truly live and love the local experience in the future," he added.

Destileria Limtuaco, the country's oldest distillery, adds its own unique weave of local flavors to your tipple with their wide range of world-class spirits and liqueurs. The shifting light high above the city at Vu's Sky Bar and Lounge at magic hour and the premium Philippine spirits from Destileria Limtuaco combine for an elevated cocktail experience with their handcrafted potions (for more on Destileria Limtuaco, see my posts, Philippine Craft Spirits: The Best of the Philippines in a Bottle and Local Flavors in a Bottle: At the Manille Liqueur de Dalandan Launch...from 2015, Salo sa Taal: The Liquid Chef at Villa Tortuga featuring mixologist Kalel Demetrio and Flavors of El Nido: Good Vibes at Manille Beach Bar with mixologists Larry Guevarra and Sharleen Antonio from 2017). 

From local coffee, mango, dalandan, calamansi and even lambanog, Destileria Limtuaco transforms comfortingly familiar Philippine notes as your flavorful base for handcrafted potions best enjoyed with stunning views 45 floors above the city.

At the bar, the potions are prepared as guests arrived for the evening's event at Vu's Sky Bar and Lounge.

The impressive quartet of handcrafted cocktail creations prepared that evening by Destileria Limtuaco at Vu's Sky Bar and Lounge included the sultry and captivating Paradise Mojito blended with Old Captain Rum, Paradise Mango Rum, mango nectar, lemon juice, simple syrup, fresh basil leaves and float of VOC rum; the light yet refreshing Manille Basil Smash with Empire Gin, Manille Liqueur de Calamansi, fresh lemon juice, syrup and basil leaves; the vibrant and tangy Manille Dalandan Margarita with El Hombre Tequila Gold, Manille Liqueur de Dalandan, agave syrup and fresh lemon juice and the aptly named Salamangkero with San Juan Lambanog, simple syrup muddled with fresh lemon fruit that will surely have you under its spell after just a few sips.

All four cocktails offer a distinct vibe and unique flavor to suit your mood, and it wasn't easy choosing just one potion to be featured as the "Potion of the Quarter" at Vu's Sky Bar and Lounge. Each potion presented a taste of local culture shaken and blended in a soothing handcrafted cocktail. That evening, a winner was declared with the final tally of votes from the guests with the Manille Dalandan Margarita as the next Potion of the Quarter at Vu's Sky Bar and Lounge.

After two years of the quarantine experience, it was quite liberating to be out once again and reconnect with old friends and there's no better way to celebrate than with a few rounds of refreshing cocktails with Aaron Aw now leading the charge for Destileria Limtuaco.

Cristina Ong-Cruz, Director of Sales and Marketing for Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila welcomed guests that included Olivia Limpe Aw, Chairman and CEO of Destileria Limtuaco at Vu's Sky Bar and Lounge in an evening of fun made perfect by the spectacular views at magic hour and round after round of refreshing handcrafted Potions of the Philippines.

Kristine Facto, Director of Marketing Communications for Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila hosted the evening's festivities...

...along with Colin Healy, General Manager of Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila who welcomed the loyal customers back to the prestigious Forbes Five Star hotel property. It was an evening of celebration and renewed optimism in a new normal that's here to stay. 

Four soothing cocktails, one Potion of the Quarter. Destileria Limtuaco perfectly captured our unique local flavors with their world-class spirits and liqueurs starting with the Manille Basil Smash, a gin-based cocktail infused with the zesty notes of calamansi with a clean and smooth palate-cleansing finish...

...while the featured Potion of the Quarter, the Manille Dalandan Margarita with its palate-pleasing sweetness from local mangoes brings comforting fruity tropical notes to your to casual and relaxing tipple at Vu's Sky Bar and Lounge.

The rum-based Paradise Mojito with layers of soothing flavors from real mangoes and lemon combine for a naughty and sweet libation...

...and the magical and alluring lambanog-based potion, Salamangkero will have you captivated under its charming spell in no time. Congratulations to Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila and Destileria Limtuaco for championing the cause for homegrown and authentic flavors with the inventive Potions of the Philippines. That calls for another round, don't you think?

Now, it's your turn. Book your table at Vu's Sky Bar and Lounge at Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila and experience magic hour in a refreshingly new light with handcrafted potions inspired by local flavors, just hit up the number below...